Professional Builder magazine photoshoot installation from inside building
This summer has been exceptionally warm and dry, but autumn will bring wetter, windier conditions and an exposed build can quickly suffer water ingress, damaged materials and programme delays.
A small delay in one area of a project earlier in the year can mean that the timeline slips and external or structural work planned for the summer ends up running into autumn.
Here are six practical reasons to prioritise getting the building envelope closed – roof, roof lights, glazing, openings and weatherproofing – before the autumn weather becomes a daily site issue.
Key takeaways
- Getting a building’s structure watertight before autumn is likely to means fewer lost days and better control of labour and programme costs
- Using sealants, protective coatings and roofing membranes in cold, damp conditions can affect how well the product works
Maximise productivity
Autumn means shorter working days as well as less reliable weather. Longer, drier summer days provide the best conditions for completing structural work, roof coverings, membranes, flashings and drainage. Getting these external elements completed while conditions are favourable helps keep the programme moving and reduces lost time later.
Avoid material failure
Applying sealants, protective coatings and roofing membranes in cold, damp autumn conditions can compromise product adhesion, extend curing times, and increase the risk of poor adhesion, incomplete curing and premature failure. Completing weather-sensitive applications in suitable conditions gives products the best chance of performing as designed and helps achieve a properly sealed building envelope.
Protect timber and structural materials
Repeated wetting can quickly become a problem for exposed timber and other moisture-sensitive materials. Prolonged exposure to rain can result in swelling, distortion and mould.
Even where there is no permanent damage, wet materials may need to dry to an acceptable moisture level before they can be enclosed or finished, creating avoidable delays.
If timber or other components become distorted, mould-affected or otherwise unfit for use, replacement may be necessary. That means extra labour, extra material cost and a potential argument over who pays.
Unlock internal trades
Some trades can work around light rain; others simply cannot start until the building is dry and secure. One delayed activity can then hold up the next trade, turning a weather delay into a wider programme problem.
Once the shell is watertight, sequencing the internal trades becomes far more predictable. First fix, insulation, plasterboard, electrical, plumbing and other internal works can then progress with far less exposure to the weather outside.
Avoid site safety risks and weather-related delays
Wet surfaces, high winds and poor visibility can restrict crane operations, scaffolding access and roof work. Work at height and lifting operations may have to stop altogether until conditions are safe, leaving the site waiting for a suitable weather window. Those lost days can affect follow-on trades, plant hire, scaffolding periods and the overall completion date.
Reduce temporary protection costs
Temporary protection becomes more demanding and more expensive, as the weather deteriorates. A basic tarpaulin may no longer be enough; temporary roofing, sheeting, dehumidifiers or heaters, and water removal may all be needed to keep work moving.
Summary
Getting the building watertight before autumn shifts the project away from weather-dependent external work and towards a more controlled internal programme. For the builder, that means fewer lost days and better control of labour and programme costs. For the customer, it means a lower risk of avoidable delay, damage and unexpected extras.
To learn how TuffX’s range of high-performance glass solutions can help you get your project watertight ahead of the autumn weather, contact our sales team today on 0345 3400 200 or submit an enquiry form.
If your enquiry relates to our Infinity roof light products, ask our team about the trade customer discount (available on our framed and frameless roof lights, our walk-on glass floors and thermal rooflights).