Home/Sitemap  ·    Search   ·   you are here: Forum =>letter 11146 Replacement for corrugated iron...   I inherited the old (very) stone-built croft house on the Isle of Skye in Scotland after my parents' deaths. I have done a lot of work on it when over in Scotland every summer, but the corregated iron roof is a headache. The house would have been thatched, but I'd guess that in the early 1900's that was replaced with corrugated iron. The cottage is literally a stone's throw from the sea, so the salt air takes its toll. As a result, I have to re-tar the damn roof every couple of years, and I'm fed up doing it. The house is a listed building (because it's so old)so I can't change the roof without an official song and dance act or two. My question is: Is there some material, resembling corrugated iron, which I could put on top of the existing roof - I'm thinking of corrugated aluminium coated with plastic? The existing rafters would not take much more weight, so the material would have to be light. Alternatively, is there something I can put on top of the tar/bituminous paint which presently covers the corrugated iron? (Last summer, by way of an experiment, I covered a few sheets with water-soluble silicone paint. It seems to be good, but I reckon I will know the truth when I get back this coming summer!) James Sligh - Toronto, Ont.   How about using corrugated fiberglass and overcoating with a black silicone rubber caulking material? The rubber should keep the UV away from the fiberglass resin, and the assembly, although expensive, should go up easy and last quite some time. Bob Zonis - Bohemia, NY   Thanks BOB Z. That's a good idea! I can see one catch, however; I've noticed that sheets of corrugated iron laid on top of similar sheets never quite fit exactly. Maybe I'd have to put battens on top of the existing corrugated iron before laying the fibre glass sheets(?) James Sleigh - Toronto, Ontario.   This is a non issue. As far as I can tell onduline is a tar based pre coloured sheet in the same profile as iron 850 mm cover. You could re clad over existing its not so dare, suit the Scottish budget and easy to handle and light. So there's my suggestion. Regards, Matt Evans - Gisborne, Nzl   When I was in Norway I noticed that the roofs were turfed with grass and this kept the heat in and grew every year. I dont know much about the other things but only asuggestion. It is almost like thatching so you could argue that it was natural and it would have been burned out maybe in the first place. I have never been to sky, a disgrace I know but i feel it is beautiful. Every time I have set out to go I end up somewhere else, thats it I am definitely going next year. Good luck with your cottage. Maria Carroll - Glasgow Post a question on a different subject.   Answer or follow-up on this subject (in non-commercial fashion).