This invention relates to roofing systems for buildings particularly, but not exclusively, to roofing systems whose obverse face is fashioned to simulate thatching.

05 Accordingly, the present invention is a roofing system comprising a plurality of plate members of synthetic material to be fitted over a prepared roof support structure, a series of side edge memoers of synthetic material, each having a plate portion, a barge

10 portion and a soffit portion, and a series of fascia edge memoers of synthetic material, each having a plate portion, a fascia board portion and a soffit portion, adjacent members Demg interconnected togetner to form waterproof "joints and provide a waterproof covering for

15 tne roof support structure.

Preferaoly, the fascia edge memoers each incorporate a drainage channel provided in the plate portion. The drainage channels are preferaoly assemoled together with watertignt joints and a downp pe is

20 provided to convey away any collected rainwater. The drainage channel n each fascia edge member is preferaoly open-topped. Alternatively, the drainage cnannel in each fascia edge memDer is secured under tne plate portion with a series of slots being provided

21 therein to communicate - itn tne cnannel. A series of top

SUBSTITUTE SHEET

capping members of synthetic material is preferably provided to extend along the apex of the roof when formed of the assembly of plate members and side edge members. Preferably also, the joints between the members are scarffed joints and a plurality of clips are provided for securing the members to the roof support structure.

Preferably further, the obverse face of the plate members, the plate portion of the side edge members and the plate portion and soffit portion of the fascia edge members are provided with a pattern thereover representing lengths of natural thatch. The representation of thatch may preferably include representation of ropes across the simulated reeds. The fascia board portion of the fascia edge member is preferabl-y provided with a pattern thereover representing the ends of natural thatch.

Alternatively, the obverse face of the plate members, the side edge members and the plate portion and soffit portion of the fascia edge members are provided with a covering of natural or synthetic reeds forming a thatch over the assembly of members, anchoring elements being provic ^" on the members for securing the thatch covering thereto. The fascia board portion of the fascia edge member is preferably provided with a

covering of reed ends.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a roof showing a roofing system according to the present invention, each side of the roof being shown in a different form;

Fig. 2 is a cross-section of a detail of a joint; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a detail of a fascia edge member showing one part of a first form of drainage channel;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of anchoring elements on plate members and plate portions; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one end of a roofing system on a building, showing a second form of drainage channel.

Referring to the drawings, a roofing system comprises a plurality of plate members 10 of synthetic material to be fitted over a prepared roof support structure 12. A series of side edge members 14 of synthetic material is provided each having a plate portion 16, a barge portion 18 and a soffit portion 20. A series of fascia edge members 22 of synthetic material is provided each having a plate portion 24, a fascia board portion 26 and a soffit portion 28. Each member 10, 14, 22 has jointing edges. Adjacent

members 10, 1 , 22 are interconnected together at their edges to form waterproof joints and provide a waterproof covering for the roof support structure. The joints between the members 10, 1 , 22 are scarffed joints as shown in Fig. 2, and a plurality of clips 30 are provided for securing the members to the roof support structure 12.

The fascia edge members 22 each incorporate a drainage channel 32 provided in the plate portion 24. The drainage channels 32 are assembled together with watertight joints and one or two downpipes 34 are provided at one or at each end of the assembly respectively to convey away any collected rainwater. The drainage channel 32 in each fascia edge member 22 is open-topped as shown in Fig. 5 or alternatively, the drainage channel 32 in each fascia edge member 22 is secured under the plate portion.24 with a series of slots 36 being provided therein to communicate with the channel 32 as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. A series of top capping members 38 of synthetic material is provided to extend along the apex of the roof when formed of the assembly of plate members 10 and side edge members 1 .

The obverse face of the plate members 10, the portions of the side edge members 14 and the plate portion 24 and soffit portion 28 of the fascia edge

members 2 are provided with a pattern thereover representing lengths of natural thatch as shown on the right hand side of the roof in Fig. 1. The representation of thatch includes representation of ropes across the simulated reeds of the thatch, and the slots 36 are provided in the representations of the ropes in the manner as shown in Fig. 3. The fascia board portion 26 of the fascia edge member 22 is provided with a pattern thereover representing the ends of the reeds of natural thatch as shown in Fig. 3.

In a modification as shown on the left hand side of the roof in Fig. 1 , the obverse face of the plate members 10, the portions of the side edge members 1 and the plate portion 24 and soffit portion 28 of the fascia edge members 22 are provided with a covering 40 of natural or synthetic reeds forming a thatch over the assembly of members 10, 14, 22. Anchoring elements, in the form of fixtures 44, are provided secured, or to be secured, in a spaced apart relationship to the members 10, 14, 22 for use in securing the thatch covering thereto by threading a flexible element 46 through apertures provided in said fixtures 44 as shown in Fig. 4. The fascia board portion 26 of the fascia edge member 22 is provided with a covering 42 of reed ends. The synthetic material can be of plastics material or formed from moulding composite or multi-ply materials.

In use, a roof covering is formed over the roof support structure 12 with plate members 10, the clips 30 being fastened to the strappings across the rafters of the structure 12 making sure that the joints are waterproof. The side edge members 1 are then fitted, followed by the capping members 38 and the fascia edge members 22. The downpipe 34 is then fitted into place as shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 3, the slots 36 are angled (as the ropes would be) and spaced from each other in overlapped fashion. Rainwater running down the roof flows into the slots 36 (which are of sufficient width to prevent rainwater bridging) into the channels 32 and into the downpipe(s). In the case of the thatch covering, the rainwater first percolates through the covering onto the roof then runs down as described before.

The above-described invention is advantageous since it displays all the benefits of a thatched roof without the accepted and known disadvantages. Joints, other than scarff joints, for example lapped or finger joints can be used at the jointing edges.

Variations and other modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described above.