Solex Roofing Installation Manual 10
Solex Energy Ltd +44(0)1305 837223 www.solexenergy.co.uk
6. EPDM
– the left and right channels are covered with an EPDM
membrane, which is stapled to the counterbattens and
dressed neatly into the channel. This has three purposes – it
protects the breather membrane from UV, it prevents the
colour of the membrane from showing through the slates, and
in the unlikely event of a leak from a manifold or pipe it offers
added protection to the building. The EPDM must therefore
be dressed over the eaves to allow run off.
The EPDM should also be used to cover any roof membrane,
insulation, battens etc. which will show through the glass tiles
if left uncovered.
7. Battens
– 25mm x 50mm battens are used, which should be
treated or naturally durable, e.g. western red cedar. The
batten spacing can be in the range:
•
500 series
200 - 212mm between centres
•
600 series
250 - 262mm between centres
If the solar slate area starts at the eaves the eaves batten
must be 10mm thicker – 35mm. A bigger kick-up is possible
up to +25mm, but not recommended (50 or 60mm screws for
the slate clips may be required).
Note that as the glass slates cannot be cut, the battens for the
eaves course must be spaced the same as for the subsequent
courses. The only exception is where longer eaves clips are
used for a larger gutter overhang, when the first two battens
may be closer together. The space between the first two
battens must be kept clear for the absorber strip. Similarly,
the battens should be gauged out so that there is a complete
course at the ridge.
The absorber strips will loop under the battens at the ends, so
small sections of batten should be left out to allow this, which
may be nailed in after the installation of the absorber. The
omitted sections will generally be on every other course,
although the route of the absorber should be planned before
the battening process and the battens installed to suit.
8. Absorber strips, supply
– these are supplied on 25m rolls.
For longer lengths joiner kits are supplied, consisting of short
pipe segments and O clips.
The roof calculator spreadsheet will output the length of
absorber required. Alternatively, it may be necessary to work
it out manually – the length of the course where the absorber
will lay is measured, and the
loop
factor is added for every
end of course – 500 series loop=120mm / 600 series
loop=150mm. The usual measuring points are the outer
edges of the EPDM covered channels detailed above.
