Roofing with good advice

Of the more than forty factories that stood in Enschede a hundred years ago, only a few remain. One of these is the Janninks Complex, a former spinning mill that was transformed into an apartment building cum museum in 1982. The national monument is currently undergoing another major renovation. The 125 apartments have now been modernized and the museum on the first floor has been converted into a health center.

The latest renovation activities are taking place on the roofs of the complex. The very old roofing package, which still contained cork as insulation material, is being replaced by a new package, providing long-term protection for the Janninks complex. The components of this new roofing package were supplied by SOPREMA of IJlst, a manufacturer of high-quality waterproofing and insulation products. Roofers from Boll Dakmanagement are handling the application.

The final renovation work is taking place on the roofs.

Nuisance not desired

Herbert Dierking is sales manager at SOPREMA and in that capacity involved in SOPREMA's projects in the East and West of the Netherlands. "The Janninks complex is a special case though, first of all because it is such an image-defining structure for Enschede. In addition, renovations always require more attention. In this case we were dealing with a concrete roof, a ballasted or mechanically fastened system is then the most obvious solution."

"Ballasting, however, was not structurally possible. A mechanically fastened system often causes inconvenience due to drilling. In order to minimize inconvenience to the residents, another application method was sought. In consultation with the applicator, we therefore recommended a glued system. This consists of a molded vapor retarder, which can level out small irregularities of the concrete roof. The PIR insulation boards are glued to this, to which a self-adhesive underlayment, Soprastick Venti FF, is applied. The top layer, Varyflex 370K24, an SBS modified roofing membrane, is burned onto the underlayment. "

Herbert Dierking, sales manager of SOPREMA BV.

Sticky

"Er are many advantages to such a sticky system. In addition to not requiring drilling and screwing, it results in a compact roofing system and no ballast is required. Pouring a vapor control layer provides security and the ability to correct unevenness. Bonding insulation boards is significantly faster than drilling. If you can make those advantages clear early in the process, it provides cost advantages for the client and the processing is more pleasant and also cost-saving for the applicator."

"But then you have to be at the table on time! In that respect, it would be good if we could still  could have more contact with architects. For new construction projects, they often prescribe a roofing system saying 'or equivalent,' and a contractor can then choose that to his own advantage. So that's not always the best solution."

A bituminous roofing system makes a roof perfectly waterproof and lasts a very long time.

Opinion

"SOPREMA has a wonderful range of high-quality products for numerous waterproofing and insulation solutions and also has a strong market position. But it is precisely in our advisory role that we can ensure that the architect, the contractor/roofing contractor and the client can take full advantage of thisfit. We are true collaborators and that farlanguage itself in long-term relationships with applicators, roofers, housing associations, owners' associations and municipalities, among others. We have open lines of communication with our customers and relations. We regularly get calls to 'come and take a look' and then we are happy to do a no-obligation roof inspection. Take solar panels, which are booming. A client calls us, we take a look, discuss it  and then come up with the best solution. We like to build long-term relationships."

Bitumen

Another long-standing relationship is with the product that started it all -bitumen. Dierking: "SOPREMA BV emerged from Troelstra & de Vries BV, which became big in bituminous roofing in the last century and was acquired by the French family company SOPREMA in 2007. And yes, bitumen still plays a leading role in our company. The product has long since proven itself as a high weather resistance material that makes roofs waterproof and lasts a very long time. Bitumen is often associated with fires, but over the years there have been several bituminous products that can be applied flame-free."

"For most renovation projects, you can get by just fine with a two-layer fired bitumen system with insulation boards. To be on the safe side, I would still seek advice first. For the same money, we have a better solution in house."