Many years ago technology was developed for living quarters in mining areas where well-insulated roof designs would help the workforce survive the heat in between shifts.

The solution: a plastic coated steel topped sheet with insulation sandwiched in the middle made its way down to Perth and became a standard addition to the cheap add-a-rooms and lean-to type patios which became popular many years ago.

In recent years there has been an almost universal move away from these simple roofing solutions to more conventional building practices – but why?

The answer lies in two areas; the nature of the material and the quality of its installation.

Almost all building companies and professional carpenters will use standard material and building practices i.e., a roof, separate insulation and a choice of lining materials.

This provides the client with:

• A better looking finish
• Better insulation
• More flexibility for the electrician to add specialised lighting and fans
• A longer lasting product
• A far more professional installation

Ultimately due to the desire of both the suppliers and the sales people who market the pre-insulated sheet to offer the cheapest option, quality seems to have been forgotten.

This was possibly more acceptable a decade ago when clients’ expectations for their alfresco extension were not that high. These days the project is seen as an extension to their home and a major investment in their home’s value. In years to come when the pre-insulated sheets have almost been completely phased out, the choice in roofing solutions may have a big impact on how wise an investment the client made!

Patio Living has over 12 years’ experience of designing and installing insulation solutions into our clients alfrescos so speak to an expert at our design studio in West Perth.