Categories
Case study

Fine Debris & Leaf Proofing & Maintenance Reduction in Romsey, VIC

GutterMesh Solution for Leaf Proofing and Maintenance Reduction in Romsey, VIC.

Screen Tech provided a comprehensive gutter guard solution for a property in Romsey, VIC, to prevent fine leaves, debris, and other materials from clogging gutters and causing water overflow.

Summary

Project Type

  • Domestic Leaf Proofing and Maintenance Reduction, VIC

Location

  • Romsey Township, VIC

BAL-Rating

  • BAL-Low

Roof & Gutter profile 

  • Corrugated, standard gutter

Gutter Guard Solution

  • TuffMesh™ Ember Guard for leaf proofing

Installation Partner

COLORBOND®  Mesh& Saddle Colour

  • Woodland Grey®

COLORBOND®  Trim Colour

  • Woodland Grey®

Meterage 

  • 92m TuffMesh™ Ember Guard

gutter guard installation before and after

Challenge

The property located in Romsey, VIC was plagued by problems stemming from leaves, debris, and other materials that frequently clogged its gutters. This not only caused water overflow but also increased the risk of damage to the surrounding areas. In such persistent issues, the intended solution would prevent the gutters from clogging while ensuring seamless integration with the property’s aesthetics.

Upon consultation with Aussie Gutter Protection, we selected TuffMesh™ Ember Guard as the best-fit solution. Considering the fine debris surrounding the property, the 1.6 mm hole aperture of the TuffMesh™ Ember Guard would be a more suitable choice over the 3.5 mm hole size of the TuffMesh™ Aluminium product. This choice ensured that even the finest debris would be prevented from entering the gutters, providing an optimal solution tailored to the property’s unique challenges.

Need commercial gutter guard installed?

gutter guard installation before and after

Solution

ScreenTech, renowned for its top-tier products and dedicated support to tradespeople, builders, and architects, suggested the use of TuffMesh™ Ember Guard. This product was recommended not just for its durability but also for its longevity as a gutter guard solution.

The Woodland Grey® mesh matched the property’s roof, and the same colour was selected for the trim to complement the guttering. As it was a tile installation, no other fittings and fixtures were required. This ensured a seamless and stylish finish that was aesthetically pleasing and functional. With the diligent work of Aussie Gutter Protection’s technicians, 92 metres of TuffMesh™ Ember Guard was carefully installed, guaranteeing a secure fit.

As a result, the TuffMesh™ material now allows water to flow unhindered into the gutters, effectively preventing leaves, debris, and other materials from causing blockages. With this installation, the property now boasts a beautifully fitted TuffMesh™ Ember Guard system, which protects the gutters and ensures water flows freely, significantly reducing any potential damage risks.

TuffMesh™ Ember Guard

applications

Ember guard is designed for bushfire prone areas subject to heavy ember attack with the smallest appeture size at 1.6mm aperture. The small hole size also makes it ideal to filter fine debris including pine trees and jacarandas. The mesh strength makes it ideal for possums, bird and vermin proofing, but still works during heavy downpours to ensure maximum water collection.

Specifications

  • LWG: 6.0mm
  • SWG: 3.0mm
  • Aperture: 1.6mm (average hole size)
  • Plate thickness: 0.8
  • Strand width: 1.2mm
  • Aluminum mesh

Features and benefits:

  • Strongest aluminium guard
  • One way mesh with added trough for maximum water collection
  • Complies with AS3959–1999
  • Australian Bushfire Standards
  • CSIRO tested flammability index of zero
  • Suitable to BAL 29
  • Akzo Nobel D1000 powder coating.
  • Powder coated in Australia
  • 25 year material warranty

GutterMesh is Australia’s best premium gutter mesh.

Corrugated Clip Profile

Features and benefits:
  • Double-ribbed
  • CSIRO tested and endorsed
  • Complies with AS3959 – 1999
  • Akzo Nobel D1010 powder coating
  • Aluminium

Need commercial gutter guard installed?

If you’re a tradesperson, builder, or architect seeking quality gutter guard solutions and dedicated installation support, look no further than ScreenTech. Contact us today.

Categories
Case study

Bird Proofing & Solar Panel Protection in Townsville, QLD

GutterMesh Solution for Bird Proofing and Solar Panel Protection in Townsville, QLD.

ScreenTech provided a comprehensive GutterMesh solution for a domestic residence in Townsville, QLD, aimed at bird proofing and solar panel protection.

Summary

Project Type

  • Domestic Bird Proofing and Solar Panel Protection, QLD

Location

  • Townsville, QLD

Roof & Gutter profile 

  • Trimdek®

Gutter Guard Solution

Solar Panel Protection

  • Solar Mesh Standard Kit

Installation Partner

Colorbond®  Colour

  • Monument® 

Meterage 

  • 20m gutter mesh, 30m solar panel mesh kits

Challenge

The residence located in Townsville, QLD, was facing specific issues with Indian Mynas and Pigeons. These birds are known to cause several problems:

  1. Nesting: Indian Mynas and Pigeons tend to accumulate and nest around solar panels and in gutters. This nesting behavior not only causes potential damage to the solar panels, reducing their efficiency, but also leads to blockages in the gutters.

  2. Disease: Both Indian Mynas and Pigeons are known to carry diseases, and their droppings can be a health hazard for the residents.

  3. Noise and Aggression: Indian Mynas are particularly noisy birds and can be very aggressive, causing distress to residents and native wildlife.

Moreover, the standard gutter was getting clogged with leaves and debris, leading to water overflow and associated damage.

Protecting only the solar panels would likely cause the birds to migrate to the gutters or roof spaces, as they don’t often leave a nesting site area once established. Therefore, there was a need for a comprehensive solution that addresses both the solar panels and the gutters.

Need commercial gutter guard installed?

Solution

ScreenTech recommended the installation of GutterMesh along with the Solar Mesh Standard Kit. The GutterMesh would prevent leaves and debris from clogging the gutters and deter the Indian Mynas and Pigeons from nesting there, while the Solar Mesh Standard Kit would protect the solar panels from birds and vermin while allowing sunlight to reach the panels.

GutterMesh Aluminium Profile

applications

This versatile gutter guard product is suitable for all round gutter protection and is highly recommended for domestic application. Its flexibility and strength also makes it a suitable bird proofing solution. 

Features and benefits:

  • 15-year material warranty
  • Complies with AS3959 – 1999
  • Akzo Nobel D1010 powder coating
  • CSIRO endorsed and tested
  • MFG
  • 50m x 1m at 24kg including Powder Coating
  • 15 year material warranty

GutterMesh is Australia’s best premium gutter mesh.

Trimdek® Clip Profile

Features and benefits:
  • Double-ribbed
  • CSIRO tested and endorsed
  • Complies with AS3959 – 1999
  • Akzo Nobel D1010 powder coating
  • Aluminium

Need commercial gutter guard installed?

SolarMesh

Specifications

  • Galvanised Wire
  • Black PVC Coating
  • Aperture: 12mm
  • Strand width: 1.0mm
  • Role size: 200mm x 30m

Features and benefits:

  • Compatible with Poly or Metal Solar Clips
  • Larger hole size to maximise airflow under panels to ensure maximum efficiency
  • Colours: Black
  • 1-year material warranty
Categories
Blog

Can you use an ember guard for solar panels?

In bushfire-prone areas, ember guard mesh covers cover any opening or roof cavity to protect from burning embers, including gutters, valleys, roof ventilation openings, fascia, ridges, and hips. 

So, is ember guard for solar panels? No. ScreenTech does not advise using ember guard mesh on solar panels as the design and installation methods hinder productivity and can void product warranties. However, ScreenTech does recommend other ember-proofing measures in BAL-rated areas. 

Ember guard mesh is not a suitable gutter guard product for solar panel protection. However, protecting your solar panels against the threat of ember attack. 

Read: The difference between ember and gutter guard

Ember guard vs solar panel bird mesh

installing solar mesh gutter guard

The differences between ember guards, gutter guards and solar panel meshes are essential to matching the right gutter guard products to the solution. 

What is the difference between ember guards and solar panel mesh? The two primary differences are the mesh hole size and installation. Ember guards must have less than a 2mm hole size, while solar mesh has a larger hole size to optimise solar panel productivity. Ember guards require screws and saddle fixtures, while solar mesh uses clips to prevent voiding the solar panel warranty. 

Solar mesh is designed to ensure the optimisation of the solar panel system. Solar mesh’s 12mm mesh gaps prevent possums, vermin and pest birds from nesting underneath the solar panels while also increasing breathability and decreasing moisture which can damage the panels. The physical barrier providing bird control reduces the flammable debris underneath the panels but will not prevent smaller debris and leaves.

Ember guard-compliant mesh stops leaves and debris from blocking the gutter and prevents ember attacks in bushfire-prone areas. Property is threatened by ember attack when windborne embers ignite waste, leaves and debris in gutters and roof spaces.

ember guard on klip-lok

Solar mesh installation uses clips instead of saddles and screws to ensure that the solar panel warranties are not void. Ember guard mesh cannot be safely secured to the panels without screws and saddles due to the material manufactured processing. 

Another minor difference between the two meshes is the coatings and colours. Colorbond® aluminium ember guards are powder-coated and steel ember guards are made from Colorbond® steel in over 25+ Colorbond® colours. Solar mesh is made from stainless steel or galvanised wire with a black PVC coating that is a non-combustible material. 

Read: Complete Guide Colorbond® Gutter Guard

SolarMesh & Ember Guard Comparison

The below table compares ScreenTech’s SolarMesh range and Ember Guard ranges:

Solar Mesh

Ember guard

Base Material

galvanised or stainless steel wire

aluminium, Colorbond® steel or bronze

Aperture size 

12mm

maximum 2mm

Application Type

solar mesh

ember guard or gutter guard

Coating/Colouring 

Black PVC Coating

powder coating D1010

Manufacturing Technique(s) 

expanded or extruded 

expanded, expanded single direction or machine-woven or extruded

Best Fit Solutions 

solar panel protection 

ember proofing, leaf guard against fine debris, bird, pest & possum proofing, reduce maintenance & safety 

Warranty

1-year

15-years

Bushfire Tested

n/a 

 AS 3959-2018 compliant

Fixtures 

Solar clips

BAL-12.5, BAL-19, BAL-29, BAL-40, BAL-FZ

Ember Guard Bushfire attack level (BAL) suitability

N/A

BAL-12.5, BAL-19, BAL-29, BAL-40, BAL-FZ

See our full range of gutter guard products.

Why bird-proof solar panels

  • Protect solar panels – Birds damage solar panels when bird droppings permanently corrode aluminium frames and stain the solar panel facade.
  • Protect your health – Stop bird infestation and prevent risk to the family’s health as birds carry transmissible diseases and parasites, including salmonella, bird mites and lice.
  • Improve property aesthetics – stop birds nesting under the panels to reduce other debris and litter around the property for better aesthetics.
  • Stop bird noise – bird species are nocturnal and many live in communal families. Cover your solar panels with SolarMesh for quieter living.
  • Void panel warranty – bird damage to solar panel electrical wiring void warranties by your solar providers. Installing solar mesh reduces maintenance costs and saves you money.

SolarMesh

Specifications

  • Base material: Galvanised or stainless steel
  • Coating: Black PVC Coating
  • Aperture: 12mm
  • Stand width: 1.0mm
  • Role Size: 200mm x 30m 

Features and benefits:

  • Compatible with Poly or Metal Solar clips
  • larger hole size to maximise airflow & efficiency 
  • Colours: Black
  • Warranty: 1-year 

See our SolarMesh range.

Why ember-proof solar panels

Solar panel bird proofing prevents leaves and nesting birds from habituating underneath the solar panels and protects against windborne embers. In bushfire-prone areas, 85% of homes destroyed occur due to windborne embers and not via direct fire contact. Therefore, gutter protection and solar panel protection are a must for any home in bushfire risk zones. 

According to Australian Standard AS3959-2009, ember guards must cover any opening or roof cavity to protect from burning debris in specific bushfire attack level areas. Homeowners are not legally required to cover solar panels with ember guard-compliant mesh

Ensuring commercial buildings and residential properties are adequately protected from a bushfire is the best solution to protect your home. Installing ember guards and leaf guards to meet Australian standards is the best protective gutter guard solution.

Read: Ember Guard Case Study: Yarra Ranges Special School 

TuffMesh® Emberguard

Specifications

  • LWG: 6.0mm
  • SWG: 3.0mm
  • Aperture: 1.6mm (average hole size)
  • Plate thickness: 0.8
  • Strand width: 1.2mm
  • Aluminum mesh

Features and benefits:

  • Strongest aluminium guard
  • One way mesh with added trough for maximum water collection
  • Complies with AS3959–1999
  • Australian Bushfire Standards
  • CSIRO tested flammability index of zero
  • Suitable to BAL 29
  • Akzo Nobel D1000 powder coating.
  • Powder coated in Australia
  • 25-year material warranty

Colour Options:

Basalt®

Classic Cream®

Cottage Green®

Dark Brown

Deep Ocean®

Dune®

Evening Haze®

Gully®

Ironstone®

Jasper®

Manor Red®

Monument®

Night Sky®

Pale Eucalypt®

Paperbark®

Shale Grey®

Surfmist®

Terracotta

Wallaby®

Windspray®

Woodlands Grey®

Zinc

See our full range of gutter guard & ember guard products.

Bushfire Attack Level Recommendations

BAL-Low to BAL-29

BAL-ratings require the specific gutter mesh, gutter guard and ember guard: 

  • BAL-Low indicates low risk from burning embers and the gutter guard choice suits your gutter protection solution and not the ember guard specified. 
  • BAL-12.5 indicates some risk of ember attack and the aluminium ember guard and the gutter guard must comply with BAL 12.5.
  • BAL-19 indicates a risk of ember attack, and the aluminium/steel gutter guard complies with BAL-19.
  • BAL-29 indicates a high risk of ember attack and aluminium or steel ember guards comply with BAL 29

In BAL-low to BAL-29, we recommend SolarMesh as the best solar panel protection solution. The aperture size protects from burning debris, leaf guard, and birds nesting under the solar panels. 

Read: 10 Architectural considerations for gutter mesh

corrugated roof ember guard

BAL-40 to BAL-FZ

In extreme bushfire risk areas with BAL-40 or BAL-FZ ratings, ScreenTech recommends using corrosion-resistant, non-combustible aluminium gutter guards as solar panel protection. In these areas, only steel and bronze ember guards meet ember guard compliance; however, in these cases, aluminium gutter guards secure the roof without needing to be screwed into the panels. The smaller hole size provides better protection against embers while also stopping birds nesting. 

ScreenTech also recommends gutter guard installation on solar panels requires professional installation and should not be undertaken as a DIY gutter guard solution. 

Read: Bunnings Gutter Guard Range Review 

Need gutter guard installed?

Want to know more? ScreenTech sends out Colorbond® gutter guard, ember guard and solar mesh samples. We include guides to architects and consult gutter guard projects and considerations.

Look no further than ScreenTech’s TuffMesh®,  GutterMeshSteelMesh and SolarMesh products. Our mesh suits Klip-Lok®, Trimdeck®, corrugated, tiled roofs and solar panels. Get in touch with a ScreenTech installation partner today for your gutter guard installation needs.

Categories
Blog

6 reasons solar companies should offer Solar Mesh products

If you are not providing your customers with solar mesh, you’re missing out – BIG TIME!

Solar Mesh or solar skirts enhance the solar panels’ appeal when installed on rooftops. They essentially provide a clean and finished look to the solar panels as they cover up the wires and mounts exposed underneath the panels and prevent damage caused by birds and rodents. Installing a solar mesh is an affordable solution that will improve the performance of solar panels and increase your margins.

Let’s explore the added benefits of installing a solar skirt in greater detail.

Maximise Solar Power

Scaffold structures are erected to install solar panels for domestic and commercial purposes, and roof access areas are already built in many modern buildings. Thus, it is relatively easy for solar panel technicians to install solar mesh.

Solar skirts or mesh are designed to fit easily without time-consuming work such as measuring, cutting and bending. They can be pre-cut to size according to requirements and fitted with the scaffolding present.

Solar mesh is particularly useful for extending the life of a solar panel. Made up of a mesh-like material, solar skirts reduce maintenance cost and promotes ventilation around the solar panel. This is important to ensure that these precious and costly panels don’t repeatedly replaced.

An Inclusive Package

The benefits provided by a solar skirt is immense, and it is a great ROI given that it is simply a PVC coated wire mesh. Hence, it is beneficial for everyone, both for businesses like yourself and customers to get a combined package of solar panel plus skirt. It’s almost like a mobile phone cover to a mobile phone. Most clients would ask for it, and almost every one of them would appreciate the added product.

Solar panels provide clean energy services for both residential and commercial purposes to customers. When you provide solar skirts along with solar panels, they allow customers to have a one-stop-shop to get everything at the same place. This prevents them from dealing with outside contractors for just the solar skirt.

With this added product, customers will prefer the convenience and appreciate the value-add from buying a solar panel from you.

ZERO additional cost

It requires no training costs for the same technicians installing solar panels to do so for solar skirts in order to provide additional protection to the system. It is an added benefit with minimal effort.

As the solar panels can be easily damaged, installing solar skirts will enhance the safety of the system while utilising the same staff. They can be fitted within seconds and tightened with clamps easily and does not involve additional costs.

A Marketing Edge

Solar skirts are cost-effective and add elegance to the solar panel. They are easy to fit and snap into place to provide a clean and distinctive look. The catalogues including solar skirts add a marketing edge to your product line as they show customers the benefits of installing them. Easy-to-follow instructions, fast installation and fewer costs are some unique selling points that attract more customers to your range of products which can improve sales.

Multiple Colour Options and Price Points

With an unmatched product range, customers can choose from the various colours offered to suit their requirements.  Solar skirts have vast colour options available at multiple price points. Rather than selling products at fixed prices, you can price-match and introduce promotions according your customer’s preference.  This will generate more profit for your customers and help you capture a wider market share.

Preventing the Main Cause of Solar Panel Panic

Your customers love the environmental benefits of the solar panels, but wildlife gets in the way. It is important to highlight this point, especially to new customers, since birds and rodents are the number one cause of solar panels becoming broken. Birds and rodents prefer the space under the panels as they are dry and protect them from the elements of nature. Moreover, the heat generated from the panels provides a warm environment which they love.

Many customers tend to panic when their solar panel is broken or when they see a dead animal on it. Yes, these energy-generating panels are great but they are also the favourite of animals. Therefore, including a solar skirt into your line of products provides assurance to many customers about the issue.

Prevents Bushfire Risk

Debris and leaves get under the solar panel, which increase the risk of a bushfire during summer. Given the impact of the current Australian Bushfire episode, it is important to highlight to customers ways they can prevent occurrences of it from happening in their compounds. Everyone is keen to help out and get in on this as the bushfires have had a devastating impact on our communities.

Solar skirts prevent such accumulation of debris and improve the unrestricted flow of air around the panels. They will reduce the risk of embers that may start a bushfire. The aluminium screen products fit the Australian fire standards and will not ignite easily.

With these unique selling points, it is apparent that the ROI of including solar skirts into your range of products is huge! The solar skirts offer a huge number of benefits to customers, keeping them content with the product.

Time to include this product into your catalogue!

Categories
Blog

Why Solar Mesh is a MUST & NOT an Optional Extra

Installing solar mesh on rooftop solar panels have become a necessity in Australia as it forms a protective barrier to potential bushfire threats. The installation prevent rodents, birds, and leaves from getting under the solar panels. This makes the solar mesh an absolute necessity and not an optional extra.

Bushfires have been raging through various regions of Australia destroying lives, business, and property. They have devastated our environment and neighbourhood. Accumulated leaf litter is one such factor that trigger bushfires. In the summer months, the accumulated dry leaves transform into dry fuel which increase the chances of a fire hazard.

It is best to protect housing and commercial property from the accumulation of dry leaves or nesting materials from roosting birds, especially under the space below the solar panels, as these may act as kindling for embers in a bushfire. A simple solar mesh will do the trick!

Solar Panel Bird Proofing protects from Damages Caused by Animals and Birds Nesting Underneath

Small birds and rodents prefer to stay in the space beneath the panels. These spaces protect the rodents from the elements, especially as they are dry and comfortable. However, they create a lot of mess on your customers’ rooftops and produce a rotten smell. The longer they remain, the greater the damage caused to the solar panels. Bird spikes are often  not an effective deterrent and other bird deterrents have mixed results.

Solar mesh prevent this from happening by bird proofing the solar panels. These leave no space for birds to roost and animals to rest underneath. The small mesh holes protect the panels from animals, but leave sufficient space for free airflow under the panels.

Though rodents do not cause any direct damage to the solar array, they bite into the wiring and the electric components, causing a short circuit in the wiring, which may lead to a fire hazard. When birds nest under solar panels, bird droppings accumulate in these spaces, which may then generate various types of diseases such as salmonella.

Pigeons have become prolific nesters under solar panels especially in Sydney and NSW. Pigeon proofing  solar panels will help keep these infestations away with a humane bird control solution

Solar Mesh Stop Debris Such As Leaves Collecting Under the Panels Which Become a Bushfire Hazard

Flammable debris like dry leaves have larger chances of igniting. It is feared that the leaves that pile up under the solar panel may be a cause for a fire waiting to take place. If your customer lives in a rural region where there are more trees, this causes a lot of concern to the people living there. Eucalyptus leaves are said to have oil content are considered easily flammable.  Flammable debris like leaves usually gather under the solar panels. Over a period of time, they accumulate as dry piles of leaves trap heat, which may also trigger a fire. This also worsens the efficiency of the solar panels.

Solar Mesh Prevent Wet Debris Accumulating Under the Panel That May Speed Up Corrosion on Metal Roofs

Storm and wet weather conditions can make the leaves under the solar panels wet and take a longer time to dry. The wet leaves corrode the metal roofs on top of the house, and there are chances of electrical arcing or equipment failure. If there is a build-up of ice from hail in the space under the solar panel, it may bring in an expansion strength, which puts pressure on the roof and the system. You can protect your customer’s precious solar panels from such hazards and prevent their investment from destruction with solar mesh.

Get High Quality Solar Mesh and Clips

At Screen Tech we have a range of options including UV stable nylon fasteners, Aluminium j hooks and aluminium clips patented by screen tech. Our Range of special solar wire mesh products comes in Stainless Steel PVC coated mesh we also have aluminium mesh available all of which have been tested in Australian conditions. At Screen Tech our Solar Panel mesh kits are designed to be installed quickly by an installer and come with an up to 20 year warranty depending on the solution chosen. They represent a cost effective pest control solution.

Solar Mesh Provide a Finished Look and Blend In with Roofs with 24 Mesh Colours to Choose From

Solar mesh provides a finished look to the solar panels and enhance the look of a homeowners house. The rooftop gets a completed finish as the wire tails and hangings are completely hidden from view. You customer can choose from our 24 mesh colours to beautify their rooftops and to match to the colour of their house. A bird mesh brings down cleaning and maintenance costs too. With protective steel mesh, you can keep out pests and prevent the solar installation from accumulating debris.

Solar mesh are protective barriers that have become an absolute necessity and not an optional extra for homes in Australia. Being a lead in the industry, you want to make the best partnerships to provide your customers with only the best products.

The devastation of the bushfires have affected thousands of homes and businesses. Everyone should do their part in preventing the fires from happening, not just our firies. While they have been tirelessly working round the clock, we all have a responsibility to contributing to hazard reduction.

Including solar mesh and offering these products to your customers with a free quote can often make them aware of how they could help protect themselves against possums, feral pigeons  and pest birds that might take advantage of the shelter provided by homeowners installing solar panels.