RidgeTite is a revolutionary system for closing the gaps created at the ridge and hips of tiled roofs. It not only replaces traditional wet ridges and hips but improves on the performance and aesthetics of newly introduced dry ridge and hip systems.
A roof ridge is the highest point on a sloped roof where two roof sections meet to form an apex or peak. It is the horizontal gap running along the top of the roof between the top most tiles where the two sides meet. A ridge tile is used to close this gap. Traditionally this tile is fixed to the roof tiles by a sand cement and water mortar. This is known as a wet ridge.

Due to the poor performance of these wet ridges a new method has been introduced whereby the ridge tiles are mechanically fixed to the roof. Theses are known as dry ridges.

Roof hips are the inclined external angles formed by the intersection of two sloping roof surfaces. Unlike a roof ridge, which is the horizontal line at the peak of a roof where two roof sections meet, roof hips occur where two roof planes meet at an angle. These angles typically run diagonally from the ridge to the eaves of the roof and are common features in hipped roof designs. Hips are covered in the same way as ridges and hips fixed in the wet method suffer from the same problems as ridges and are being replaced with dry hips which are also mechanically fixed to the roof.

Currently available dry ridges and hips utilise a “ridge roll” to seal the gap at the ridge or hip. This system has a number of problems: It protrudes from the ridge tile. It is thus unsightly and is exposed to the elements.

In order to conform to various tile profiles the edges are corrugated. It is therefor not always possible to completely close the gaps between the roll and the roof tiles. Water can be forced through these gaps which may compromise the water proofing of the roof.

his problem is pronounced on hips as the corrugated roll has to conform not only to the profile of the roof tile but also the step (in excess of 25mm) where one tile overlaps it’s neighbour.

Water proofing between adjoining ridge tiles is achieved by means of plastic unions. These are only effective when horizontal and therefor need to be supplemented by hip trays when used on hips which are not horizontal. This adds to cost and installation time when installing a dry hip.

In order to provide ventilation the ridge roll is permeable. This can have two problems. The permeability will decrease as dust etc collects thus decreasing the ventilation of the roof space due to it’s permeability the roll may deteriorate over time and allow  water to pass through it into the roof.

The Ridgetite ridges and hips are manufactured from Glass Reinforced Cement which increases the tensile and bending strength of the product eliminating the above problem. In addition this strength and subsequent reduction in thickness required enables the Ridgetite tile to be produced in 1,6m lengths thus requiring less joints between elements and thereby reducing installation time and potential leaks.