Dry verge is a way of fixing ridge tiles, hip ridge or verge cap tiles to a roof without the use of traditional mortar.
If you own an older, gable end property, you will originally have what is known as ‘wet verge’ roofing. The verge is the ends of your roof above the gable end. The areas at the edge of a roofline are fixed with mortar to prevent water leaking in, make it look attractive and prevents pests, e.g. insects or birds nesting in your roof.
What is Mortar?
Mortar is to fill the gaps in building and roofing work. It is a mixture of sand, cement and water and is applied as a paste which then sets hard. The problem with mortar is its durability.
Mortar naturally deteriorates over time and needs repointing. This can be due to weathering or natural movement within a roof structure, that can over time, dislodge the mortar. This leads to cracks which can lead to the problems and it can also leave your roofline looking unattractive.
An option to mortar is ‘Dry fixing’, a popular roofing option which allows for pest and weather proofing your roof without the need for mortar. Dry verge roofing makes use of interlocking caps that fit over the edge of your roof tiles, and offers an effective, long-lasting option to wet verges.
Dry Verge Caps
Dry verge caps are usually made of plastic composite, which offers advantages. The most obvious being durability; plastic verge caps can last for many years and require a fraction of the maintenance associated with mortar. The durability of uPVC also means that your roof will look better for longer as it offers a clean finish that is guaranteed to last.
Dry Ridge System
A dry ridge system employs a dry fix system that typically uses screws – often stainless steel – to attach clamps between the joints of every ridge tile, clamping them to the roof. Beneath these screws are waterproof unions that catch any small amount of direct rainfall and disperse it sideways back onto the roof itself.
Dry Hip Ridge
Hip ridges cover an external junction between two sloping faces of a roof, and these are usually seen on roofs with 3 faces or more, and at least one of those faces is usually a triangular shape. Although roofs can have a combination of both ridges and hip ridges.
Can I change my entire roof to a dry system?
The answer is yes! When the mortar on your roof parts ages it may become an ideal candidate for dry conversion. If your mortar is starting to look a bit deteriorated, you can see pieces missing or cracking, why not think about upgrading to a dry system?
Contact NLS Roofline
If you would like to find out more about our services or book a visit for a free no-obligation quote, then please get in touch with the team at NLS Roofline on any of the numbers below:
EMAIL: info@nlsroofline.co.uk
Tel: 0800 292 7045
MIDDLESBOROUGH: 01642 988662
YORK: 01904 894673
LEEDS: 01133 504294