One of the most significant milestones for any self-builder is making their project weathertight. Speaking from experience, once this is achieved you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing your future home is safe and secure and protected from the elements. This month I’ll set out what’s involved and will explain the main elements of work needed to achieve this key milestone.
When we talk about achieving weathertight, we don’t mean that the full extent of the external superstructure must be completed. From a builder’s point of view, weathertight is the point when the roof coverings and windows and doors are installed and therefore the build is protected, and trades can progress internally. This month I will focus on the actual roof coverings.
For self-builds with straightforward architectural designs, achieving weathertight is simple and involves no more than a couple of trades (roof tilers and window installers). For more complex designs that incorporate complex geometry and maybe a multitude of roof coverings or an array of architectural features, achieving weathertight can be quite a challenge.
ROOFING MATERIAL OPTIONS
The choice of roofing materials has
