27/06/2019
Sika is to build on its UK market leading position as a supplier of liquid-applied and single ply roofing membranes with the launch of the SikaBit® range bituminous roofing systems, developed to answer the requirements of NFRC (National Federation of Roofing Contractors) Safe2Torch guidelines.
The move follows a record-breaking year of sales for the company’s roofing division in 2018, with year-on-year growth across roofing for the past three years. With Sika’s acquisition of bituminous roofing system manufacturing capabilities in Europe, and advances in bituminous membrane technology, we are now set to capitalise on trust in the Sika brand and service offering to leverage the opportunity in specification of bitumen roofs.
Bituminous systems still account for at least half of flat roof refurbishments in the UK. Our focus has always been on bringing the most advanced roofing technologies to the marketplace, combined with the highest levels of service, technical support and safety best practice.
A fully BBA-approved range of torch-on and self-adhesive bituminous membranes, SikaBit® provides a total solution for a high-performance waterproof roof build-up, comprising an air & vapour control layer (AVCL), underlay and a hard-wearing cap sheet. The SikaBit® Pro Bituminous Membrane range includes flame-free detailing options for completely Safe2Torch-compliant roof installations, along with a root-resistant offer for green roof applications and a solution for inverted roofs.
With SikaBit®, we’re not just launching a bituminous membrane, we are re-thinking bituminous membranes and offering a complete system that can be tailored to meet the design criteria and safety requirements of any new build or refurbishment flat roof. This proven, next generation bitumen technology will be offered with all the technical, application support and customer-service specifiers expect from Sika, including installation by a national network of fully-trained Certified Contractors and a suite of guarantee options to provide complete peace of mind.
All SikaBit® systems have been extensively tested and Sika has developed a wide-ranging training course for its Certified Contractors, including Safe2Torch guidance, which will be delivered at the company’s dedicated training centres with technical support also available on site. The SikaBit® training course will include training in all aspects of the product range and has been developed in close partnership with the NFRC.
"We are delighted that Sika chose to involve us in putting together the training course for SikaBit® from the very earliest stages so that we could really embed the principles of Safe2Torch in the way the system is installed on site. It’s good to see an industry leader like Sika embracing Safe2Torch in both product development and training as we all work towards making sites safer for both contractors and end users." Gary Walpole from the NFRC