Finishing a roof: useful roofing accessories

Common roofing accessories

A roof may need several components to protect its details, provide maintenance access and create a consistent appearance. The appropriate selection follows the building design.

• Chimney access and surrounding details: maintenance and inspection require a suitable way to reach the chimney. Depending on the building and applicable requirements, this can include roof walkways, chimney steps and ladders. Plan the access route and any necessary fall-protection arrangements together. Only use hooks or anchor points specifically intended and approved for the selected protection system; an ordinary roof fixing is not an anchorage for a person.
• Roof ventilation terminals: these can terminate ventilation ducts or ventilate the space directly below the roof. These are different functions, so choose and connect the component for its intended purpose.
• Snow-retention accessories: heavy snowfall, particularly in higher areas, and steep slopes make sliding snow an issue to assess. Snow guards can help limit sudden snow slides when the system and its fixings are designed for the roof and expected loads. Falling snow and ice can injure people or damage parked vehicles and wall-mounted equipment such as a satellite dish. A snow guard does not remove every such risk.
• Ridge tiles and ridge cappings: these protect the junction between two roof slopes against water entry. Suitable versions are used with sheet roofing, tile-effect roofing sheets and clay tiles. Some systems use a ridge roll beneath the covering; sealing and ventilation must follow the detail for the selected roof.
• Gutters and rainwater systems: collecting and directing runoff helps protect the façade and foundations from excessive water. The gutters, downpipes and discharge arrangement need to work as a complete system.

Bird protection, daylight and small fixings

• Bird deterrents: nets, spikes and correctly detailed soffits or verge flashings can restrict nesting or perching in unwanted places. Acoustic or ultrasonic devices and silhouettes or models of birds of prey are also marketed for this purpose, but their effectiveness should not be assumed. Choose measures for the location and keep necessary roof ventilation unobstructed.
• Roof windows, rooflights and roof access hatches: glazed or translucent components admit daylight, while a suitable access hatch can provide a way onto the roof. Some opening roof windows are designed to serve both functions. Access may be needed for roof maintenance, antenna installation or adjustment, and cleaning chimneys or ventilation outlets. A hatch can form part of an escape or rescue arrangement only where that exact system is designated and suitable for the building; a standard access hatch is not automatically an emergency exit.
• Small installation components: hooks, bolts, anchors, screws, self-drilling roofing screws with sealing washers and other washers all contribute to the finished roof. Selecting them only by the lowest price can be a false economy. A corroding screw or washer may leave persistent rust stains on the covering or façade below. Choose the fixing, corrosion protection and seal for the materials and exposure involved.

Choose accessories as part of the roof system

Roofing accessories cover a wide range of functions, and the project determines which ones are needed. Compare compatible products and documented properties rather than relying on a general promise that one manufacturer is always best.

Roof repairs can be expensive and may require specialist access and workmanship. Selecting suitable ventilation terminals, roofing screws and other components at the outset reduces the likelihood of premature replacement. Product quality, correct installation and regular inspection all matter; paying more alone does not guarantee a particular service life.