Strong and Safe in Times of Storm : Storm-proof PREFA aluminium roof and façade products

Recent years have seen increasingly drastic weather events. "The more frequent occurrence of severe weather events is mainly linked to global warming. Warmer air can absorb more water vapour than colder air, resulting in larger amounts of precipitation," explains Assoc. Prof. Mag. Dr. Herbert Formayer from the Institute of Meteorology at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) in Vienna. Wind speeds of about 75 km/h and above are called storms. These are caused by the clash of high and low pressure areas, by the exchange of cold and warm air. “The Alps are also home to the Föhn gales, strong southerly winds powerful enough to damage houses," says Formayer.

Consequences can be, for instance, ripped-off roofs, damaged roof tiles, destroyed façades, broken windows and fallen trees in the front garden – depending on their strength, storms can cause enormous damage to the house andit’s surroundings. Heavy rain, snow, floods and large temperature fluctuations also put building materials to the test. It is therefore a good idea to consider local weather conditions requirements for the house, the roof, and the façade when building or renovating your house, and to take this into account when choosing the appropriate construction materials. Snow loads and temperature fluctuations play a special role at high altitudes. Flood protection, in turn, is a topic that should not be forgotten in highflood risk areas.

Not only PREFA aluminium products for roofs, but also our façade products are weatherproof, break-proof and storm-proof even in extreme conditions. That’s because aluminium has outstanding material properties and is highly durable. The roof and façade products owe their high storm resistance to the special installation and fastening method. PREFA cladding panels can be fixed to the substructure either directly using the integrated nail strip, or indirectly with clips.

In areas known for their extreme storm peaks, the installation of the roof and façade elements can be adapted to the special requirements of the respective region through additional measures. In exposed locations, for example, the number of fasteners is increased as required and the type of fastening – whether nailed or screwed – is specifically adapted to the wind load. As a result, a roof and façade from PREFA can withstand even high wind speeds and raging storms. The PREFA Sidings, for example, are installed with specially developed PREFA storm clips for larger building widths which provide particularly strong support for the individual façade elements.

Strong storms not only blow in the mountains or along the coast, but also sweep across the lowlands. If a building is located in a very exposed position or stands unprotected in a windbreak, it is subject to particularly high wind speeds in a valley as well. For example, wind loads can become an issue for free-standing buildings on the outskirts of a town or for tall buildings in the city. Whether your house stands on a mountain, in a valley, or by the sea: If it is to withstand special weather conditions, it is important that the choice of products is well-thought-through and the type of fastening is carefully planned. PREFA partner companies are trained accordingly and can also draw on the advice of PREFA experts and technicians – all for the protection of your home.

PREFA's lightweight roof products are ideal for roof renovation. When replacing an old roof with heavy modern tiles the existing framework must be prepare to take the extra load due to structural requiremments. With PREFA, you can save yourself that trouble: Thanks to the aluminium roof, which is many times lighter, additional reinforcements are usually not necessary. Furthermore, a PREFA roof can be quickly and easily handled on site by a trained specialist and can also be easily transported with a flatbed truck. This can significantly reducelabour on site. PREFA aluminium products are lightweight, robust, and resistant. The material thus allows you to save time and money on costly maintenance.

The roofbuild up should be dimensioned according to the regionally prevailing snow and wind loads. This is usually the case with new builds. In the case of a renovation, it is advisable to consult a carpenter or specialist. If a very heavy roofing (e.g. roof tiles) was installed before the renovation, it should be checked in advance whether this high weight was perhaps planned as a functional parameter in any way. If a lighter covering is to be installed during the renovation, the roof truss will be pressed down less. It may therefore have to be additionally anchored for structural reasons. The expert will assess the initial situation correctly.

After every strong storm or severe weather as well as after each winter, the roof should be checked for any damage. But only to the extent that a visual inspection is possible: Have parts come loose or is the roof surface damaged? If the roof surfaces are not visible from the ground, a specialist company should definitely carry out the inspection. Roofers, tinsmiths, plumbers, and carpenters can move around safely with an appropriate roof safety device, which was usually already installed in the course of roofing. For safety reasons, homeowners are strongly advised not to climb onto the roof themselves!

In this case, you should contact an installation partner in your area – they can assess the damage on site and, depending on the extent of the damage, make emergency or permanent repairs if necessary. If danger is imminent during the storm, the fire brigade will certainly be the right contact.

Whether it's a mountain refuge, an alpine hut, or a mountain station – some buildings have to meet special requirements. PREFA provides optimum execution options for such projects. Here you will find a few reference projects, some of which are presented in short films: