Zincalume

The combined properties of three metals

Gerard pressed steel roofing begins with the strength and resilience of New Zealand steel, coated on both sides with a protective layer of aluminium-zinc (Zincalume^®). This powerful alloy combines the sacrificial protection of zinc, as used in galvanising, with the natural barrier protection of aluminium. In almost every environment, Gerard pressed steel roofing provides superior performance and a significantly longer service life than galvanised steel roofs.

Pressed to shape before sealing with polymer acrylics

Gerard steel tiles are primed and pressed to shape before the final protection layers are applied. This avoids the problem of micro-cracking, which can occur in the bends of products pressed from pre-painted steel. This is more than twice the thickness of the paint on typical pre-painted steel products. Our textured tiles are finished with a polymer bonding basecoat, granulated natural stone and a clear acrylic overglaze. The result is a powerful combination of nine protective layers.
 

 

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Lightweight Advantages

Gerard® rooftiles make up one of the lightest roofs available. A Gerard® roof is up to 7 times lighter than a clay or concrete roof. Less weight on the roof means less stress on the sub-structure. In many cases substantial savings can be made as there is no need for expensive reinforcing of the sub-structure. Being light in weight, Gerard® Roofing Tiles are easily handled, and installation is completed in a short time.

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Wind Uplift

  

Gerard® Roofing has a unique horizontal fixing system. Because each panel is fixed horizontally to roof battens, wind shear is virtually eliminated. Most other roofing products relay on vertical fixing methods that are prone to lifting in high winds.

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Steel Battens
Steel battens are an attractive lower cost alternative to timber battens. Gerard Roofing has developed specific techniques to ensure our tiles can be used equally with either steel or timber battens. Gerard Roofing tiles can be fixed directly to steel substructures totally eliminating the use of timber. One of the many benefits of steel battens and tiles is the increase in resistance to fire.

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Ultraviolet and Thermal
Systems from Gerard Roofing have colour durability that lasts for years. This basic integrity has been proven under accelerated weathering tests in laboratories (see report) and with prolonged actual exposure in the most UV-prone areas in the world. They were designed in New Zealand, which records some of the highest levels of UV light in the world, and have been proven on roofs there since they were first manufactured in 1956.

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Earthquake

Earthquakes are tragic reminders of the power of nature. As well as the billions of dollars worth of property damage, earthquakes cause countless injuries and deaths.

The most common cause of damage, injuries and deaths in earthquakes are structural movements in buildings often made worse by heavyweight roofing materials moving and collapsing due to insufficient structural support.

The least affected roofs were the stone-coated steel roofing materials as made by Gerard Roofing. Scores of homes with these roofs had no structural or roof damage even though they were located in areas of significant destruction with neighbouring houses showing serious damage.

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Ventilation

A Gerard® roof is designed as a ventilated system with an openended ventilation space. A ventilation space should be provided above the underlay, by means of eaves and ridge ventilation. This is achieved by the installation of counter-battens fixed to the rafters.

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Lightning
Gerard Roofing systems are made from sheet steel coated with stone chips. Experience shows that metal roofs are no more vulnerable to a lightning strike than any other non-metallic substrate. Indeed, the likelihood of a lightning strike is determined only by the height and location of the building.

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Rain Noise

The sound of rain noise on the roof effect different people in different ways. Gerard Roofing tiles in comparison to other steel roofing products shows a reduced noise impact on our textured Gerard Roofing tiles.

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Fire Resistance

The fire resistant solution from Gerard Roofing - A safe roofing solution must be extremely fire resistant to prevent hot embers from external fires spreading. The ideal roof will be lightweight yet strong and securely interlocked to prevent it collapsing if an interior fire becomes established. Roofing materials manufactured by Gerard Roofing are made from non-combustible, high-quality aluminium-zinc coated steel.

Tiles made by Gerard Roofing are light, weighing in at a mere 7kg per square metre, which is approximately one seventh the weight of concrete and clay tiles. With every tile being securely fastened at eight points, there is little chance of a roof collapsing. Gerard Roofing products are tested to comply with or exceed relevant building codes and regulations.

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Hail and Snow

Gerard Roofing systems have been proven under all possible and extreme weather conditions around the world including large hailstones and heavy snow loads.

Gerard® roofs are resistant to hail stones up to 30 mm. Hail stones of 90 mm may cause indentations, but do not penetrate the material structure.

The stone surface of all Gerard Roofing's roof tiles is a potential life saver. Its rough texture holds snow in place until it melts naturally and harmlessly. Dangerous snow sliding is therefore eliminated without the need for expensive and unsightly snow stops.

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Drinking Water

Rainwater collected from Gerard ® roofs has been tested and meets the World Health Organization’s criteria for drinking water quality. Two good rainfalls are recommended before collecting drinking water from a new roof.

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