Freefoam Roofline System - Handling, Storage, Safety, and Fixings
Freefoam’s roofline system is an environmentally friendly, low maintenance, fully integrated fascia and soffit system that is used for new builds and refurbishments or renovations.
There is a variety of full replacement and new build fascias, hollow and plain soffits, and a collection of trims and ventilation products.
PVC is a stylish and cost-effective alternative to traditional timber and aluminium.
Benefits of Freefoam PVC Roofline Systems
- Low maintenance.
- Can be coloured, styled, or finished with a variety of colours to suit all applications.
- Lead-free environmentally friendly solution.
- Lightweight and easy to work with.
- Compatible with traditional installation methods and tools.
- Comply with European and BS standards.
- Tested fire resistance properties.
- Resistant to normal levels of acids, alkalis, weather, and other pollutants present in the atmosphere.
- Coloured smooth and woodgrain products carry a 10-year manufacturer guarantee, while white products carry a 20-year manufacturer guarantee, which can be extended to a 50-year Lifetime Extended Guarantee (only when products are used, fitted, and registered online by a Freefoam Registered Installer.)
PVC Roofline Support Structure
It is important to ensure adequate support frames are in place before any fixing begins.
To provide a solid long-life base for the PVC products, ensure your roof timbers and supporting structure is sound, level and treated with preservatives.
Decaying timber should be replaced with pre-treated high-quality softwood timber.
Treat all exposed substrates with a trusted, high-quality general-purpose water-borne preservative.
Suitable Fixings for Roofline Systems
For the installation of Freefoam fascias, bargeboards, soffits, and ventilation systems, we recommend using Plastops Plastic Headed Pins or Plastop Plastic Headed Nails.
Fixing centres vary but it should never exceed:
- 600mm for white profiles
- 400mm for coloured smooth and woodgrain profiles
- 300mm for black profiles.
When dealing with trims, it is advised to pre-drill them before fixing them, especially in low temperatures, as this helps to avoid splitting.
Thermal Movement of PVC Roofline
PVC products are affected by temperatures and require an appropriate allowance for expansion and contraction.
It is recommended to leave a minimum of 6mm at the end of each length of fascia.
Avoid fixing in temperatures greater than 30°C or less than 0°C.
Adhesives and Sealants for PVC Roofline Installation
Adhesives can be used to help fix and strengthen trims but must only be applied to one side of the trim.
We recommend low modulus silicone for maximum sealing and watertightness, especially for uneven or irregular joints.
It is recommended to use low modulus neutral cure silicone, solvent weld PVC adhesive, or rubber solvent contact adhesive for external application of PVC systems.
Handling and Storage of PVC Roofline Systems
All products:
Freefoam profiles are robust, lightweight, and flexible; yet appropriate handling ensures the profiles are supported at both ends for loading and unloading.
We recommend stacking boards flat in the protective packaging to a maximum height of 1-metre for stability.
Avoid contact with solvents, paint, creosote, bitumen etc.
Coloured products:
Coloured products should be stored inside away from direct sunlight in their protective sleeving.
Never store coloured products outside, or on top of vans, for any length of time as heat distortion may occur and will damage your profiles.
Packaging:
All Freefoam coloured profiles are supplied in a clear protective film, which helps to protect the surface finish, and packed in a white polythene sleeve.
