News

Why smart overlay solutions are effective for industrial buildings

Flat roofing systems on industrial buildings across the UK are under increasing pressure. Ageing materials, unpredictable weather events and rising maintenance costs have made it harder than ever for building owners to keep roofs watertight and operational without committing to disruptive and costly replacements. With many thousands of square...

The growing need to refurbish metal box gutters on industrial buildings

Across the UK, thousands of industrial buildings rely on metal box gutters to manage rainwater. Often hidden from view, these gutters play a critical role in ensuring buildings stay dry and operational, particularly in regions that see frequent rainfall. However, many of these systems, particularly those installed decades ago, are now reaching the...

Balconies and how to stop hidden water damage before it’s too late

Poor or inadequate waterproofing exposes balconies to relentless moisture penetration, setting up a process for structural decay, costly repairs and even safety hazards. Left unchecked, water damage can silently compromise concrete, corrode reinforcements and create long-term liabilities for building owners, architects and contractors alike -...

The evolution of green roofs as they transform into the blue

For decades, green roofs have been hailed as a sustainable solution for urban environments offering insulation, biodiversity and aesthetic appeal. However, as climate change intensifies and cities struggle with flooding and stormwater management, the industry is witnessing a major change. Green roofs are evolving into blue roofs - systems designed...

Celebrating World Green Roof Day and why the UK needs more green roofs

World Green Roof Day, planned for June 6th, is a global celebration of the numerous environmental, social and economic benefits that green roofs provide. As urbanisation accelerates and the effects of climate change become more pronounced, green roofs have emerged as a crucial solution to many of the environmental challenges faced by modern...

How good waterproofing can deliver quick access for other trades

Against a background of tighter budgets and aggressive deadlines, the need for a quick, reliable and versatile waterproofing solution has never been greater. While today’s roof systems must meet a diverse range of demands, they also hold the key for other trades to quickly get to work – because until a building is waterproofed – little can happen...

How green and blue roofs are transforming urban skylines

A few decades ago, an aerial view of London or any major city would reveal vast expanses of concrete and glass, with rooftops largely barren and lifeless. Today, however, urban landscapes are undergoing a remarkable transformation. Green roofs have become increasingly prevalent, creating pockets of life that serve as habitats for various species...

How local government is looking to build more blue roofs

The London Plan, first published by the mayor in 2021, put sustainability and resilience at the heart of urban development with one notable policy, in particular - an emphasis on the preferential treatment for blue roofs in new developments. Blue roofs, designed to store and gradually release rainwater, are seen as a key solution for managing...

How green roofs are taking the heat from Britain’s buildings

What happens when you combine felt and liquid waterproofing?

Built-up felt roofing, a time-tested method of waterproofing, continues to hold its place as a robust and effective solution for many types of buildings, but for roofs with complicated detailing and challenging hard to reach areas, the material really comes into its own when paired with innovative liquid waterproofing systems. Such a combination...

Mitigating the condensation risk at St Catherine’s Court

St Catherine’s Court, in Chiswick, West London, provided a complex roofing challenge, with a deteriorating asphalt roof overlying a non-insulated concrete deck. These conditions created a high risk of condensation and had reduced the building's energy efficiency. Proteus Waterproofing was asked to provide a solution that not only addressed these...

The evolution and history of felt roofing

Companies like ours have become a prominent innovator in the field of felt roofing, blending advanced materials and cutting-edge technology to enhance performance and sustainability. Modern systems use elastomeric modified bitumen membranes reinforced with materials such as polyester and glass fibre, providing enhanced waterproofing combined with...

The challenges of green and blue roof waterproofing

Most construction professionals would agree, that while green and blue roofs are aesthetically pleasing and environmentally beneficial, they present many unique and sometimes difficult waterproofing challenges. These roofs are subjected to various stresses, such as foot traffic, ponding water and the weight of vegetation, which in turn means that...

Integrated green and blue roofs offer a sustainable future

Green and blue roofs have gained significant popularity in recent years as sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions for urban areas. These innovative roof systems offer a range of benefits, from improving air quality and reducing stormwater runoff to providing habitat for wildlife. But, when combined with other sustainable features,...

Protecting industrial guttering and the need for robust waterproofing solutions

When you are installing a roof, it is sometimes easy to forget that Industrial guttering systems are an equally critical part of the infrastructure in a commercial building. Designed to manage rainwater and runoff, these guttering systems protect buildings from water damage, corrosion and other environmental hazards. However, due to their constant...

Blue roofs – a solution to urban flooding?

Urban flooding, a growing concern worldwide, is a complex issue with far-reaching implications for communities, economies and infrastructure. While local authorities in the UK have implemented various strategies to mitigate flooding, from strategic risk assessments to the construction of new defences, the search for innovative solutions continues....

Balconies and walkways and the need for long-term protection

Balconies and walkways, vital architectural features in residential, commercial and even industrial buildings, offer outdoor space and access, but these are areas highly exposed to Britain’s changing climate, leading to significant wear and tear if not adequately protected. Waterproofing balconies and walkways are therefore a critical aspect of...

Why blue roofs could be the answer for flood plain development

The new UK government's ambitious plan to build hundreds of thousands of new homes is a positive step towards addressing the housing crisis. However, with many of these homes likely to be constructed on flood plains, there is a crucial question - how can we ensure the safety and sustainability of these new communities in the face of increasing...

Transforming UK cities into sponges -and why we need them

Beneath every large town and city in the UK lies a hidden vulnerability – the struggle to manage increasingly erratic weather patterns. We are witnessing more frequent and intense rainfall events, that overwhelm existing drainage systems and lead to flash flooding, disrupting lives and infrastructure and putting a strain on already stretched...

Proteus Waterproofing and ACO Building Drainage announce partnership

Proteus Waterproofing, a leader in blue roof design and installation and ACO, a global water management specialist, are proud to announce a new partnership, designed to deliver the ultimate blue roof package.

Preparing for disaster and the role of blue roofs

As the world faces ever increasing challenges as a result of climate change, cities are becoming increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall and flooding. As a result, it has become clear that blue roofs can play an increasing and significant role in helping cities, prepare for disaster, by adapting to these changes to...

The evolution of the Green Roof

Green roofs are systems that incorporate vegetation and a growing medium into their structure and they have been around for thousands of years. The history of green roofs can be traced back to ancient Mesopotamia, where they were used to insulate buildings and provide food and habitat for livestock. Green roofs were also used in ancient Greece and...

Inverted roofs - the upside-down revolution

For decades, the roofing industry has relied on a tried-and-trusted method of waterproofing buildings – where it has placed the insulation layer on top of the waterproofing membrane. This concept has grown significantly in the last 80 years or so, a revolutionary approach that has literally turned the traditional roofing installation on its head....

The need to waterproof Balconies and Walkways

In the wider world of building construction, balconies and walkways often play a role that goes widely unnoticed, yet their importance cannot be overstated. These extensions of our living spaces provide us with coveted outdoor areas, offering fresh air, scenic views, and opportunities for recreation. However, their very exposure to the elements...

A balcony’s journey through time

Balconies, those charming extensions of our living spaces, have graced buildings for centuries, offering a glimpse into the world beyond while providing a haven for relaxation and enjoyment. Their history is intertwined with architectural styles, societal shifts, and technological advancements, a testament to their enduring appeal and the...

Unsung hero of car park waterproofing

Car parks play a pivotal role in our daily routines – they are more than just a convenient place to leave your vehicle – and when you scratch the surface of these seemingly mundane structures, we find something else - a critical element that ensures their integrity and longevity - it’s called waterproofing and without it, we would have a massive...

Blue roofs and the benefits of installing a sustainable roofing solution

Blue roofs are a type of roofing system that uses a water storage layer to help manage stormwater runoff and improve the overall sustainability of a building. They are often incorporated with green roofs, but can also be used with hard surface finishes, pavers, ballast, and brown roofs. They can also referred to as green or living roofs, but, for...

Proteus relaunches Endura range of felt systems with groundbreaking Single-Ply application

Proteus, Britain’s fastest growing supplier of waterproofing solutions, has relaunched its proven Endura range of Felt systems, all BBA certified to give a service life of at least 35 years – with one major new addition – a revolutionary cold applied alternative to conventional polymer based single ply membranes.
 

Exploring the Benefits and Design Principles of Blue Roofs

As sustainable building practices continue to gain momentum, innovative solutions are emerging to address urbanisation challenges, water management, and energy conservation.

Use of Diisocynates in the Roofing Industry

There are new requirements for professional users of Diisocyanates in the UK & EU. Approved contractors who use these products are legally required to undertake health and safety training before 24th August 2023.

These legal regulations apply to products with a Diisocyanate concentration greater than 0.1% intended for professional or industrial...

NBS and Proteus - The Ultimate Resource for Waterproofing Systems

Experience the power of precision with Proteus Waterproofing, the UK's fastest-growing provider of waterproofing solutions, now available on the National Building Specification (NBS) platform. This strategic integration signals a transformative journey aimed at fostering advanced collaboration, improving access to information, and facilitating an...

Blue roofs offer massive opportunities for contractors

The UK's blue roof market has become increasingly important in recent years as a way to manage urban stormwater runoff. The sector has delivered a staggering year on year growth of 21% according to the Environment Agency, worth around £7.5 million in 2019 and rising to £16 million in 2023, and offers massive opportunities for roofing contractors.

Taking a look at the flat roofing and liquid waterproofing market in the UK

Flat roofing is a popular roofing option in the UK due to its versatility, durability and cost-effectiveness. It is commonly used in both residential and commercial properties, and is particularly popular domestically for extensions and garages, but more importantly it plays a significant role in waterproofing commercial buildings. In this...

Why green roofs will continue to boom in the future

Green roofs are booming. Not only do they provide a wealth of environmental and economic benefits, they also provide major opportunities for contractors. According to a recent report by the Green Roof Organisation (GRO), the Green Roof market in the UK continues to expand significantly, having risen from around 1.17 million square metres in 2015,...

External Fire Performance: BROOF(t4) and Part B - Ensuring Fire Safety in the UK Roofing Industry and what it means to you

Fire safety is paramount in every element of building construction, and the UK roofing industry plays a vital role in safeguarding properties and occupants. In the UK, Building Regulations in conjunction with Approved Document B (ADB) establish stringent standards and guidelines for fire safety in roofing systems, profoundly impacting material...

In praise of built up felt roofing

Built-up felt roofing, also known as BUR, is a traditional method of flat roofing that has been used for decades. It is a cost-effective and reliable option that offers several benefits to homeowners, property managers, and contractors. In this blog, we at Proteus Waterproofing, discuss the advantages of built-up felt roofing and why it remains a...

Delivering challenging waterproofing contracts by Proteus

Roofing and waterproofing are all about overcoming challenges, with some jobs a lot tougher than others where both the contractor and supplier have to go that extra mile. These are the kinds of contracts – the types of jobs that some roofing professionals said could not be done - that are helping to turn Proteus Waterproofing into one of the...

Tough challenges at the House of Detention

They don’t come much tougher than a car park over the basement roof of a 17th century London prison known as the House of Detention. Due to previous poorly installed waterproofing, the car park required extreme refurbishment and waterproofing works. 

Extreme temperatures - how will flat roofing evolve with climate change?

Further expansion at Proteus -  £2 million warehouse is the latest chapter

Proteus, Britain’s fastest growing waterproofing company, has invested a further £2 million in a massive state of the art warehouse facility near its head office in Rayleigh, Essex.

Building Engineer feature - Skills shortages

The challenge of meeting the UK’s housing needs will only be met if we address the prolonged skills shortage, improve the gender imbalance, and suitably train the next generation of workers. In fact,the importance of providing quality training to ensure candidates can thrive in their chosen sector has never been more prevalent.

Will blue roofs be the answer to Britain’s flooding problem?

It would seem that flooding is now a regular occurrence for thousands of people across the UK. Whole communities are being affected by unprecedented levels of rainfall, combined with poor planning in terms of building new barriers and dredging rivers, as well as a total lack of joined up thinking.

Proteus leads support for charity boat race

Proteus Waterproofing is set to be the headline sponsor for the 2020 Dragon Boat Regatta in Marlow, Buckinghamshire on Thursday May 14th – a fun filled, inspiring event which raises funds for life changing charities.

Could this be the way to end chronic skills shortages in roofing?

Time is running out for the construction industry if we seriously want to reverse chronic skills shortages and attract more young people into the building business. So what’s new about that - people have been saying much the same thing for more than 30 years, but with the lack of any joined up thinking, the situation continues to worsen according...

H2O is the way to go!

Here, at Proteus Waterproofing, we are aware that keeping our team hydrated will aid them to perform at their very best throughout the work day. As a result, we decided to invest in watercoolers from AquAid.

Rozalind recognised for’ roofing excellence’ at industry conference

Proteus Waterproofing’s Operations Manager Rozalind Richardson has received the prestigious ‘Eliana Coulter Award for Business Excellence’ at the 2019 Women in Roofing Conference.

In roofing, blue is the new green

In the UK, climate change appears to be manifesting in record high summer temperatures and unparalleled levels of flooding due to excessively high rainfall events. These events are becoming more and more prevalent and the bottom line is - all this increased rainfall has to go somewhere.

Flat roofs - a waste of space?

Absolutely not!!! Proteus can offer advice and expertise to support your green roof installation, no matter how large or small. Just give us a call.

Future roof insulation means taking care of the detail

With continued pressure from Government and environmentalists to reduce carbon emissions and improve sustainability, there is no longer any sector of industry that is immune from change – the roofing business is no exception.

Proteus Spartans - we are the champions!

On Thursday 2^nd May, the Proteus Spartans took to the water for the LRWA Dragon Boat Race Regatta and left with the gold medals!

Will we ever see an end to the lowest possible price?

There is one major factor, the elephant that is constantly in the room, that dictates almost everything that happens in the construction industry – it is called the lowest possible price.

Waterproofing communal areas and keeping minimum disruption

If you have ever considered installing a new floor or carpet you will understand the problems and the potential disruption it can cause. The actual installation is relatively easy – it’s moving the furniture and removing the old flooring that can take up all the time.

Upgrading insulation and the challenge for the roofing industry

Price, more importantly, the lowest possible price continues to be a problem for construction professionals working in every part of the industry. There is nothing new in this, but it is resulting in another more difficult challenge for the roofing sector, one that could have massive implications for the Government’s climate change initiative and...

Proteus Waterproofing – Going for Gold

Proteus Waterproofing, based in Rayleigh Essex, offer market-proven and cost-effective waterproofing solutions for both refurbishments and new builds. Whether you require a watertight flat roof system or looking to waterproof a communal walkway, we provide the highest performance waterproofing systems to protect your building. We are innovative,...

Roofing contractors - it’s time to get out of your comfort zone and upskill!

Roofing is an industry steeped in tradition and some would say that this conservative approach has meant a reluctance to use new products. Some, principally smaller roofing contractors, have been slow to adapt to the changes and benefits that new technologies offer – and this could be affecting profits and margins.

‘Why change a particular...

At last - a membrane that can really be called green

When the industry talks about green roofs they are usually referring to designs that feature plants, sedum, landscaping or a combination of all three. These are being increasingly specified to compensate for the sheer volume of concrete that is taking over our towns and cities which in turn is contributing to flash floods and a poorer environment.

Green roofs - turning the impossible into reality

As building owners become more environmentally aware, enquiries to convert existing flat roofs into green roofs have never been higher. On face value this would seem an easy task but with modern building regulations demanding increased levels of insulation as well as practical challenges such as the heights of parapet walls and other upstand...

How long before new legislation forces the bitumen felt market to change?

Bitumen has always had a bit of a bad record when it comes to getting an excellent fire rating. It must be emphasised of course that there are many products that contain bitumen, probably our oldest and still one of the best waterproofing materials available, that are hard to ignite even with prolonged direct flame – but that is another story.

Protecting green roofs from fire

Contrary to popular belief it is almost impossible to start a fire on a green roof according to most experts. Fears that plants and other foliage would present a fire risk, particularly during the hot summer months have proved to be unfounded.

From green concrete to green roof in three days

It is now possible to go from green concrete to green roof in just three days. There will of course be many who say it cannot be done, but they are being proved wrong by a company that is leading the market with a new kind of waterproofing technology – and it’s confounding the traditionalists.

Roofing comes in from the cold

Building owners have become increasingly nervous in recent years about sanctioning the use of any kind of naked flame at roof level, traditionally a long standing method of applying waterproof membranes. This has resulted from increased pressure from insurance companies concerned about fire risk and some have banned the use completely of naked...

All other membranes look obsolete compared to Cold-Melt®

A new kind of waterproof membrane – BBA certified, green, seamless and so tough that it is guaranteed to last as long as the building on which it is installed – is set to revolutionise the roofing industry. It’s called Cold-Melt®, exclusively from Proteus, and it makes all other waterproof membranes look obsolete.

Is this the big wake up call for flat roofing?

Time is money in every area of construction – get it wrong and budgets quickly turn to overspend resulting in disgruntled clients and contractors, but there are some things that you simply cannot rush – or that’s what some experts used to think.

Will health issues dominate the flat roofing market?

Flat roofing repairs, particularly in confined spaces, have long been known to cause discomfort to operatives and those living or working nearby. Fumes, odours and vapours can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and lung irritation. They may also irritate the skin, eyes, nose and throat.