Building academy
The Izoprofil.org building academy explains decisions made during construction and refurbishment. The articles start with the materials themselves, including sandwich panels, PIR insulation boards and profiled sheet metal. Learn the terms used in product descriptions and how several properties affect a complete assembly. Topics include thermal insulation, joints, moisture protection, roof coverings and purchasing. Each article includes a summary and contents to help you find the relevant detail. Use the guides alongside the drawings and product documentation for your own project.
How is a gable roof built, and how do you choose its layers?
A gable roof has two slopes that meet at the ridge. This simple shape makes the roof covering easier to lay out and reduces the number of complex junctions. The shape alone does not determine the structure: the span, loads and intended use of the roof space all matter. The covering, insulation and layers that keep out water and control air leakage must be chosen for the particular roof. Rafters, collar ties, purlins and posts can be arranged in different ways; prefabricated trusses are another option. Each arrangement transfers loads to the walls and the rest of the building differently. Knowing that a roof has two slopes is not enough to specify timber sizes or the number of supports.
Trapezoidal steel roofing with anti-condensation fleece: what it does and where its limits lie
A factory-applied fleece on the underside of trapezoidal steel sheeting can temporarily hold condensation and may affect how the roof sounds. For profiles such as T18 and T35, check whether a fleece-backed version is available and what it is designed for. The fleece is neither a waterproof layer nor thermal insulation. The roof still needs ventilation so that the material can dry. Metal responds quickly to temperature changes. If its underside becomes cold enough relative to the moisture content of the air, water can condense on it. Drips are therefore not necessarily a sign of a leaking lap. A faulty flashing needs a different remedy from excess moisture beneath the roof.
Flat roof construction: how the layers work and how to choose insulation
A flat roof consists of several layers that work together. The structure carries the loads, insulation reduces heat loss and waterproofing keeps out rain. The roof also needs falls and effective drainage. PIR boards can reduce the depth of insulation required. Choose materials once you know how the roof will be built and used. The deck may be reinforced concrete, timber or structural trapezoidal steel sheeting on a steel frame. Each deck transfers loads differently and requires suitable fixings for the layers above. This makes lightweight construction an option alongside a heavy concrete slab.
Building a house of up to 70 m² in Poland: when does notification suffice?
Under Polish building law, a detached single-family house with a footprint of up to 70 m² and no more than two storeys can qualify for a simplified notification procedure. The footprint is measured separately from the usable floor area. The project must meet the owner’s own housing needs, and the building’s legally defined area of impact must fall entirely within the plot or plots on which it is designed. A building design, compliance with land-use rules and suitable construction details are still required. The simplified procedure applies to the paperwork. The structure, roof and insulation must meet the technical requirements for a safe home.
Home insulation grants: planning material purchases around an energy audit
Whether insulation work qualifies for a grant depends on the scheme, the building, the work proposed and the thermal performance required of its walls or roof. An energy audit helps identify what needs improving and in what order. Use the findings to choose the insulation thickness and installation method and to prepare the cost estimate for the application. First check the current scheme rules for your building and the planned work. Eligibility can depend on ownership, building age, heating system, income or energy performance. Check current limits, deadlines and the documents required both for approval and for payment.
Using a pitched roof calculator: from roof measurements to a material estimate
A roof calculator helps you organise measurements and estimate material quantities. Start by distinguishing the area of the roof slopes from the area of the sheets you will buy. Allow for overlaps, effective cover width, cuts and accessories. Before ordering, check the estimate against measurements of the actual roof and a sheet layout. Draw a roof plan showing the dimensions of every slope. Mark ridges, eaves, valleys and hips, and note the pitch and any projections. The building footprint measured at the walls omits the eaves. If the roof includes a dormer or covers an extension, include the smaller roof planes too.