In this issue of Building & Facilities News, we are pleased to feature The Bradclad Group as our Metal Roofing Company of the Month.
The Bradclad Group is a conglomerate of companies specialising in the design, manufacture and supply of metal roof systems and related products. With over 30 years of expertise in standing seam roof systems, the group has built a strong reputation for quality and innovation. The first Bradclad Group company, Forrest Maughan Associates, was established in 1992 as a consultancy to advise architects on how best to design aluminium roof systems.
Today, the company specialise in the manufacture and supply of secret fix metal roofing systems under the Pro-Zip and Pro-Seam brands.
“We are one of the leading manufacturers of standing seam roof systems in the country. Our Pro-Zip panel system, launched in 1996 has been specified and installed onto some iconic projects worldwide, and our more recent Pro-Seam fully supported system is rapidly gaining market share here in the UK,” said Keith Bradley, CEO of Bradclad.
“Pro-Seam is a standing seam panel system designed for the UK’s growing demand for fully supported metal roofing, especially in residential projects. Featuring a ‘Snaplock’ design, panels are secured with stainless steel clips. Made from 3000 series aluminium alloy with a PVDF coating, Pro-Seam is coil-coated for durability and backed by a 30 year warranty.
“Both our Pro-Zip and Pro-Seam panel systems are available with a unique addition – a lightweight flexible solar panel which is factory bonded into the pan of the roof sheet. The Energi-Roof concept was established to integrate the solar module into the roof. The solar panels are not clamped or screwed onto the roof – they are an integral part of it,” stated Keith.
Traditionally, solar panels have been based on glass crystalline technology and fixed after the roof system has been installed, using a structural framework. Not only is this slow and costly, it also uses fixings that penetrate the outer skin of the roof and adds unwanted weight to the roof structure.
Energi-Roof uses the latest generation of lightweight thin film solar modules from leading global manufacturers. The cutting edge technology incorporates the most efficient solar-cells available.
“Our lightweight solar offer has now been developed in various forms under a separate business and brand – Solarbond. The concept of integrating solar modules into the roof system has now been extended to cover flat membrane roofs. We can also bond large format modules directly onto profiled metal roofs on factories and warehouses,” added Keith.
Solarbond offers an entirely new concept in roof mounted solar arrays – it’s all about the glue! It’s lightweight, thin film flexible solar panel technology has revolutionised the way we can design and install solar roof systems.
How it works: Lightweight and ultra-thin, these adhesive-backed solar modules allow thin film solar cells to be seamlessly installed onto both flat and pitched metal roofs. Ideal for both new constructions and retrofits, this innovative design eliminates the need for frameworks, brackets, screws, or bolts!
Working alongside installers and architects, together with market leading manufacturers, Solarbond is enhancing the Net Zero vision by enabling clients to install lightweight solar arrays on roofs previously unable to take the weight of standard glass PV modules.
Bradclad’s product portfolio appeals to a wide range of clients from commercial sectors such as airport authorities and national housebuilders with large scale projects, to individuals or families who want to build a dream home or just renovate their existing place.
“Our knowledge and understanding of our product and its application is largely unmatched in our sector. While we do not install ourselves, we have decades of experience in the application of our roofing in its various forms. As a result, our products are widely specified by architects who appreciate the level of technical knowledge we are able to bring,” added Keith.
We then asked Keith what recent changes have been made to the company to optimise future growth.
“We have noticed a growing move by companies especially, to reduce their carbon footprint and reduce their energy costs. The market in particular has seen a vast increase in the interest of renewables too. Demand for our Solarbond product is growing rapidly and we are developing our product offer to reflect this.
“Currently, our Pro-Seam Energi-Roof is very popular. Few clients and certainly very few architects are keen to embrace black glass solar panels imposed on their new roofscape design. The integrated Energi-Roof solar modules are so much neater and allow the clean lines of the standing seam panels to remain well defined – as well as providing a high level of efficiency, so their popularity should not really be a surprise.”
T 0191 233 6318
enquiries@bradclad.com
www.bradclad.com