Solar & Security Vital Components Of School Re-Roof

St Lawrence School in Higham underwent a phased re-roofing project to modernise and improve the long-term performance of its roof infrastructure. With safety and sustainability at the heart of the specification, the project team selected Metrotile Bond .9 in Red to maintain the aesthetic character of the school while enhancing the durability and functionality of the roof. The inclusion of Metrotile PV brackets ensured that the roof was future-proofed to accommodate solar panel installation with minimal disruption.

Why .9mm Steel is Specified for School Roofs

Educational environments demand robust materials that offer long-term value and added security. Metrotile Bond .9 is manufactured from 0.9mm gauge high-grade steel, offering a significant strength upgrade from standard lightweight roofing tiles. This increased thickness delivers several key advantages for schools:

• Enhanced Vandal Resistance: Schools can be vulnerable to trespassers outside of hours. The extra gauge of steel provides greater resilience against impact, tampering or attempted break-ins through the roof.

• Improved Weather Performance: With a tighter, heavier profile, .9mm tiles offer excellent protection from high winds, storms and extreme weather conditions – vital for buildings in constant use throughout the year.

• Reduced Maintenance: Durable and secure, the tiles provide a longer lifespan with minimal maintenance, reducing ongoing costs for schools and local authorities.

For St Lawrence School, the .9 specification was chosen specifically to support site security while also ensuring the roof would serve the school well for decades to come.

How PV Brackets Enable Seamless Solar Integration

Sustainability is a growing priority for educational buildings, and solar power offers a clear opportunity to reduce operating costs and environmental impact. To facilitate this, Metrotile PV brackets were specified and installed during the re-roof.

These brackets are uniquely designed to integrate seamlessly with Metrotile’s profiled steel systems, offering several distinct benefits:

• No Tile Penetration: Brackets are fixed directly to the roof battens, eliminating the need to drill through the tiles, preserving the waterproof integrity of the roof.

• Quick & Safe Installation: Their compatibility with any standard side-mounted solar rail systems makes them ideal for efficient panel installation, whether during the roofing phase or at a later date.

• Futureproofing: Even if solar panels are not installed immediately, fitting PV brackets during re-roofing ensures minimal disruption when the school chooses to add them.

The decision to install PV brackets at St Lawrence School ensures that the roof is solar-ready and that future panel installation was fast, cost-effective and non-invasive.

This project at St Lawrence School demonstrates how careful material specification can meet both present-day and future needs. By choosing Metrotile’s robust .9mm steel tile system and pre-installing PV brackets, the school has secured its roof against both security threats and rising energy costs, all while maintaining a traditional aesthetic with the bold red Bond profile.

Do you have a roofing project in mind that would benefit from added security or solar installation? Contact Us today to find out more.