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Over-cladding & Encapsulation

Over-cladding & Encapsulation

What is Overcladding?

Over cladding & Encapsulation are cost effective roof refurbishment methods that extend the lifespan of ageing industrial and commercial roofs. If your building’s roof is deteriorating but largely intact, these solutions allow you to upgrade its performance without the expense and disruption of a full roof replacement.

Over cladding involves installing new roofing material over an existing roof, while encapsulation uses advanced coatings to seal and protect the roof surface. Both approaches can significantly improve insulation, weather protection, and the appearance of your building, all with minimal impact on daily operations.

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What is Roof Encapsulation?

Roof encapsulation is a different technique for refurbishing an existing roof. Instead of adding new panels, encapsulation uses specialised liquid coatings or membranes to seal the current roof surface.

The coating is applied across the roof, bonding to materials like metal or aged felt and forming a continuous waterproof layer. Encapsulation is particularly effective for metal roofs that suffer from corrosion at joints and edges, as well as for safely sealing asbestos-containing roofs

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Commercial Roof Cladding Advantages

Commercial buildings such as retail units, shopping centres, offices, and public facilities also gain significant advantages from roof over cladding.

  • Aesthetic upgrade: A clean, modern roof façade achieved through over cladding can greatly improve the look of a commercial building.

  • Energy efficiency and comfort: Over cladding a commercial roof adds insulation that stabilises indoor temperatures.

  • Property value and longevity: Investing in over cladding is essentially investing in the building itself. A weather-tight, energy-efficient roof in good condition can increase the market value of commercial real estate.

  • Minimal business disruption: Time is money for commercial enterprises. Because over cladding installation is swift and avoids tearing off the old roof, businesses can keep operating as normal in most cases.

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Commercial Roof Encapsulation Benefits

When the existing roof is largely intact but suffering from leaks, corrosion or surface deterioration, encapsulation provides a fast, non disruptive solution.

  • Minimal disruption to business activities: One of the greatest benefits of encapsulation for commercial premises is the lack of disruption. As the existing roof is not removed, work can often be completed with no need to vacate the building.

  • Cost effective refurbishment: Encapsulation is typically more affordable than over cladding or full replacement. It eliminates the need for removing and disposing of old materials, especially in the case of asbestos cement sheets.

  • Improved waterproofing and leak protection: Encapsulation systems form a seamless, bonded surface over the entire roof area. This prevents water ingress, even at joints and penetrations where leaks are most common.

  • Improved appearance and longevity: Modern encapsulation coatings are available in a range of finishes, including neutral or branded colours, allowing you to refresh the look of your commercial property.

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Over cladding Asbestos Roofs

Many older industrial and agricultural buildings in the UK have roofs made of asbestos cement sheets. While these asbestos roofs are durable, they become a concern as they age and start to leak or deteriorate.

Removing an asbestos roof entirely is expensive and requires strict safety procedures but over cladding provides a smart alternative in many cases.

  • Safety: All asbestos containing material remains sealed in place, preventing any harmful fibres from being released.

  • Cost effectiveness: Avoiding full asbestos removal saves a considerable amount of money. Specialist removal and disposal of asbestos can be one of the biggest expenses in a roof replacement project.

  • Regulatory compliance: Over cladding must be carried out by professionals who follow asbestos safety regulations.

  • Preserved roof integrity: As long as the existing asbestos cement roof is stable (not extensively cracked or crumbling), over cladding adds a protective layer that stops leaks immediately.

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Maintenance & Repairs

To protect your investment, we also offer scheduled maintenance and repair services for all wall cladding installations. Our team can inspect, clean, and fix your cladding as needed to ensure your building exterior remains in top condition over its lifetime.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Commercial Cladding

The over cladding principle isn’t just for large industrial roofs, it can apply on a smaller scale to home conservatories as well. Many homeowners choose to clad over a conservatory roof to improve insulation and comfort. Traditional conservatories often have polycarbonate or glass roofing panels, which can make the space too cold in winter and too hot in summer.

By installing a new insulated roof layer over the existing conservatory roof, you can transform the space into a more usable, energy efficient room. A lightweight timber or metal frame is added on top of the current roof, then insulation and tiles or panels are fitted, similar to an over clad system. This conservatory roof cladding process:

For industrial roofs, this means a steel or aluminium cladding system (typically with insulation) is added on top of the old roof sheets. The over clad system enhances the roof’s insulation, weather resistance, and appearance while allowing the business beneath to continue operating. In short, it creates a new, improved roof layer over the old one, extending the roof’s lifespan without the downtime of a full replacement.

Over cladding is recommended when the existing roof is aging or underperforming, but its basic structure is still sound. If you have recurring leaks, poor insulation, or a dated roof appearance; yet the roof decking and supports are intact, over cladding is an ideal solution.

It lets you upgrade waterproofing and thermal performance without the cost and mess of stripping off the old roof. However, if a roof has severe structural damage (for example, rotten timbers or rusted through metal sheets), or if it cannot safely support the slight added weight of a new layer, then a full replacement would be more appropriate.

In summary, choose over cladding when you want to extend and improve an old roof that is tired but not structurally failed.

n most cases, over cladding will have little to no effect on daily operations. The installation process is designed to be low impact. Because the original roof stays in place, your building’s interior remains protected throughout the works. Skilled roofing teams can often carry out over cladding from above using access equipment, meaning your staff and customers can continue using the premises as normal. You might notice some external construction activity, but there’s usually no need to close your business during the project. Any particularly noisy tasks can be scheduled at off-peak times. Overall, over cladding is one of the least disruptive roofing upgrades available.

Can Over cladding improve the building’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating?

Yes. Over cladding can substantially improve a building’s EPC rating. One of the main factors in an EPC assessment is the thermal performance of the building’s fabric, including the roof. By installing an insulated over clad system, you dramatically reduce heat loss through the roof.

This improved insulation means your heating (and cooling) systems use less energy to maintain a comfortable temperature, directly contributing to a better energy efficiency score. Many older industrial and commercial properties struggle with poor EPC ratings due to lack of insulation, over cladding addresses that issue.

After over cladding, buildings typically see lower energy consumption and carbon emissions, which will be reflected in a more favourable EPC rating.

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