It almost goes without saying, animal welfare is a major issue for farmers and hugely important is providing appropriate shelter. Yet the peaceful environment can be utterly shattered each time it rains if the right roofing solution isn’t in place.
Lightweight roofing specialist Onduline has this covered, with its bituminous corrugated sheets being up to four times quieter than a metal alternative when the weather turns nasty.
Acoustic benefits
Onduline roofing products have been a ‘go to’ solution for stable owners and those caring for animals for years.
Along with their durability, ease of fitting and eco-friendly qualities, their acoustic benefit is a key reason why they are such a favourite.
The noise generated by rain pounding on a metal roof can be extremely disturbing for any livestock within.
Compare this to the noise deadening impact of Onduline’s bituminous sheets and the difference is obvious.
In fact, comparative testing commissioned by the company has shown its corrugated sheeting is around 23 decibels quieter.
In fact, comparative testing commissioned by the company has shown its corrugated sheeting is around 23 decibels quieter.
Potential customers can put this to the test on an acoustic rain simulator, which has been developed to give people the opportunity to hear the evidence for themselves.
“While the rain simulator cannot match the stringent controls required for laboratory testing, it does offer a realistic practical demonstration of the products’ sound dampening qualities,” explained Ardit Strica, Onduline’s Technical Manager.
Happy horses
Practical and durable roofing solutions
Stables owner Fran Wilkinson looked to Onduline for roofing protection when developing a stable block for her family’s three horses and a further two on livery.
She chose the company’s CLASSIC roofing sheets for the 85m2 project, which nestles in the East Lothian countryside.
The block is designed in an ‘L’ shape and contains four stables, a wash bay, a tack room and a hay stable.
Fran said: “When it came to designing the new stables, I was keen to have something that was not only practical and durable, but that looked beautiful too. Having something that blended in with the loveliness of our surrounding area was the key goal really.”
The stables were crafted by a local joiner and builder using Siberian Larch, topped with Onduline’s CLASSIC brown sheeting, providing a perfect colour match with the timber cladding and the golden sand arena.
Fran said: “Aesthetics were an important part of this project but I also wanted something that wasn’t noisy. So many stables and outbuildings have metal roofing and it’s very frightening for the animals when it rains and all you can hear is that thunderous pounding noise.
“You ask anyone what they put on their stables and the answer is Onduline. The end result is a truly beautiful stable – the horses are happy here, so I couldn’t ask for more!”
Lucky hens
So much quieter than metal sheeting
When the time came for volunteers at the Lucky Hens Rescue centre to build another shelter there was no question of them getting into a flutter over the choice of roofing material.
For past experience told them Onduline’s CLASSIC sheets, which are BBA certified and carry a 15-year guarantee, would be the perfect solution.
Since the Wigan-based centre was established in 2010 by Alison Thorpe, she and her team of volunteers have saved more then 35,000 hens from slaughter.
The not-for-profit animal sanctuary is dedicated to rehoming hens that are no longer required by the commercial egg production sector, caring for them and then finding suitable homes where they can live out their lives in a natural environment.
Year on year the sanctuary has grown and as such, the need for additional space became a must. The 900 sq ft project, encompasses four new stable blocks and a feed store area.
Alison said: “We are in a green belt area so needed something that would fit in with the local surroundings, and the Onduline CLASSIC sheets fitted the bill perfectly.
“They are lightweight and easy to fit, which is important when you are doing the work yourself, and I liked the look and feel of it.
“One of its major plus points is that it is so much quieter than metal sheeting, you can hardly hear a thing when it’s raining, which is so important for the animals.”
The new shelter was all built by volunteers, with Alison’s husband and son handcrafting the joists and rafters.
Agricultural option
Mechanically strong bituminous panels
Alongside the CLASSIC range, Onduline has launched a new durable roofing system, DURO SX 35, that is ideal for auxiliary farm buildings, including those housing livestock.
The modern looking mechanically strong bituminous panels are a solid 3.5mms thick, yet lightweight and maintenance free with an extended 20-year guarantee.
Perfectly waterproof, DURO SX 35 has a trapeze profile with 38mm corrugations that aid ventilation, and is resistant to even extreme corrosive agents, also to strong blasts of wind.
Easy to transport, handle and install, the 200cm x 82cm panels weigh 3.66kg/m² and can be adapted to many different types of structure, whether that is for renovation projects or new buildings. Installation is fast and intuitive. It is also easy to cut, shape and fix with just standard tooling.
DURO SX 35 carries the aesthetical look of a metal sheet and is available in a range of stylish colours that will not fade.
Alongside their many other advantages, Onduline roofing sheets are popular for their thermal insulation qualities and also sit harmoniously in a rural landscape.
Greener solution
Onduline has been manufacturing bituminous corrugated roofing systems for nearly 80 years, and is the global market leader. The roofing sheets are perfect for meeting today’s requirement for ‘greener’ construction solutions.
They are made from 50% of recycled fibres. Asbestos free, contain no hazardous materials and are completely safe for both animals and humans.