Roof Resarking Brisbane

Sarking is a flexible laminated membrane installed under tile and metal roofs, providing added home insulation during hot and cold weather. Due to its protective features, it is mandatory under the Building Code of Australia (BCA) for all residential buildings with tiled roofing with a rafter exceeding 6 metres in length, no matter what the roof pitch, to have a roof sarking installed. In addition, bushfire-prone areas are mandatory to have roof sarking, and resarking is needed for home renovation or roof restoration if a thunderstorm severely damages the roof.

While sarking is not mandatory in Queensland, citizens and residents of Brisbane are encouraged to have a roof sarking to prevent moisture, mould, rain, dust, and bushfire embers, which penetrate and destroy the roofing structure. Thus, resarking is essential for buildings that require protective measures from many factors and meet energy efficiency requirements. Also, it offers many benefits that can improve cavity protection and serve as a vapour barrier.

Sarking

Sarking acts as a roof second skin made from a sturdy and pliable membrane installed above the rafters or on top of the insulation board and overlaid with battens. Then, roofers will install the metal or tiled roofing. Sarking is made from reflective foil designed to lessen moisture penetration and increase energy efficiency in structures. Builders laid out sarking parallel to the roof’s eave and laid over to each sheet, preventing penetration from rain, dust, moulds, and other factors that can damage the roof structure and serve as protection during extreme weather conditions.

Resarking

On the other hand, resarking is conducted during home renovation or a roof restoration, ensuring that the sarking is in good condition and does its function. Resarking is ideal if the existing sarking has been damaged by a thunderstorm, by a falling tree, which results in severe damage to the roofing structure. During resarking, builders will remove the existing roof and battens, and the sarking or underlayment is torn out. Afterwards, the current roof structure is fixed before installing the sarking. Resarking is vital to enhance the roof’s overall condition from the roof cavity and under the tile and metal roofing where insects and pests usually inhabit.

sarking is like an extra membrane for your roof.

Types of Sarking

  • Non-Permeable Sarking – This type of sarking is ideal for areas with tropical weather. Non-permeable sarking is recommended for areas with humid and hot in summer and dry and warm in winter.
  • Vapour Permeable Sarking – This type of sarking is ideal for southern parts of Australia.
    Vapour permeable sarking is recommended for areas with mild and cooler summers and rains during winter, preventing mould build-up and decay on roofs structure.

Apart from determining which sarking is ideal for your location, there are other factors to consider when choosing the right product. It should feature pliable strength, tear resistance, and a low flammability index. Also, it is vital to consult and let licenced and trusted roofers do the work to ensure proper resarking, as sarking installation requires skilled professionals.

Although sarking is not mandatory for all structures, citizens and residents of Brisbane are encouraged to have it installed and acquire resarking if the existing conditions of your roof need to be restored or replaced. Below are the following benefits of sarking listed below, including:

  • Serve as a dust barrier. The first benefit of having a roof sarking is it serves as a dust barrier. It blocks dust and other small particles, enters the open spaces on the roof, like the vent, and accumulates in the ceiling. Having a roof sarking can help prevent possible detrimental pollutants building up inside the structures that might cause harm to your family, such as irritating the skin, throat, and eyes or leading to cardiovascular and respiratory complications.
  • Protection from severe weather conditions. Another benefit of roof sarking is it protects from severe weather conditions, like thunderstorms and hailstorms. Moreover, sarking can protect your home from flying objects, which can destroy your roof and prevent moisture penetration leading to interior water damage. Resarking may also be needed to keep your property’s structural integrity and protect it from unforeseen events and problems.
  • Enhanced roof cavity protection. Since water damage is one of the leading causes of roof structure decay, sarking is ideal for thunderstorm prone areas, providing roof cavity protection from heavy rain and strong wind. It is also beneficial for properties under construction as it helps protect the interior building from possible factors related to roof installation, such as reducing water damage.
  • Serve as a vapour barrier. Aside from controlling dust collecting, roof sarking serves as a vapour barrier limiting the moisture in and out of the structure. It helps controls moisture allowing it to get out and prevent water penetration as it causes lots of unforeseen issues like health problems because of mould build-up. Also, when moisture is trapped, it can lead to rotting and swelling timber and metal corrosion, which will require repairs. It also reduces the structure’s energy efficiency due to damaged insulation boards.
  • Energy-efficient. One of the best ways for new structures to meet the minimum requirements for energy efficiency in Australia is to get a roof sarking. It helps contain the heat in winter and makes a structure cool in summer, reflecting around 95% of heat and reducing heat flow on the roof space. Thus, the structure can be cosy, energy-efficient, and reduce energy consumption.
  • Improve R-Value. While most property owners are unaware of the structure’s air gap, it is one of the factors that can improve thermal performance existing in a building. It allows heat to flow in the ceilings, walls, floors, and roof structure with R-Value based on the surface emittance of the air gaps. Thus, installing sarking on the surface is ideal with low emittance to improve the structure’s air gap thermal performance.
  • Improve insulation. Positioning the roof sarking next to the air cavity near the ceiling improves the R-Value. In addition, installing sarking and ceiling insulation can enhance the structure’s energy efficiency, as it serves as a heat flow barrier keeping the inside of your space warmer during winter and cooler during summer.
  • Fire-resistant. For areas under 12.5 to 40 Bushfire Attack Levels (BAL), it is mandatory to install roof sarking to have protection against flying embers, which can enter the roof and get into the ceiling space. Sarking features fire-resistant, acting as a second layer of protection from bushfire ember and following the Australian Standard 3959.