Onduline roofing and National Stables - Problems

[Archers1]

I just wanted to share our experience of Onduline roofing and National Stables. (forewarned is forearmed)

National Stables erected a set of stables for us with an Onduline roof in 2001.

The roof stated leaking at around 7-8 years after it was installed. After 10 years the roof gradually started sagging along the whole length of the stables to a point that it has resulted in pooling of water in the sheets and more leaking. The sheets are stained black underneath and rotten.

They are attached straight onto the purlins, nothing underneath. After reviewing the manufactures fitting instructions and checking the measurements it looks like National Stables may not have followed them correctly. Our roof looks exactly the same as the 2nd and 3rd picture on this web page: http://www.stablerepair.co.uk/roof-problems/4574850634

On checking the Onduline warranty, it is guaranteed to remain weather proof for 15 years but only fully covered for the first 5. After that point their liability limited to a pro-rata replacement value. If they are confident that their product will last why is it only fully covered for 5 years? According to National Stables this product has an expected life span of only 15 years! http://www.onduline.co.uk/PDF/Onduli... General.pdf

Other people we have spoken to have said that they have had bad experiences with Onduline sheets also and one person described them as cardboard impregnated with bitumen.

My advice would be to avoid Onduline sheets.

Other complaints about Onduline: http://www.complaintsboard.com/compl....html#c1367209

 

[FfionWinnie]

Onduline is rubbish, as you have discovered. Far better to use box profile sheets.

 

[Dry Rot]

I just wanted to share our experience of Onduline roofing and National Stables. (forewarned is forearmed)

National Stables erected a set of stables for us with an Onduline roof in 2001.

The roof stated leaking at around 7-8 years after it was installed. After 10 years the roof gradually started sagging along the whole length of the stables to a point that it has resulted in pooling of water in the sheets and more leaking. The sheets are stained black underneath and rotten.

They are attached straight onto the purlins, nothing underneath. After reviewing the manufactures fitting instructions and checking the measurements it looks like National Stables may not have followed them correctly. Our roof looks exactly the same as the 2nd and 3rd picture on this web page: http://www.stablerepair.co.uk/roof-problems/4574850634

On checking the Onduline warranty, it is guaranteed to remain weather proof for 15 years but only fully covered for the first 5. After that point their liability limited to a pro-rata replacement value. If they are confident that their product will last why is it only fully covered for 5 years? According to National Stables this product has an expected life span of only 15 years! http://www.onduline.co.uk/PDF/Onduli... General.pdf

Other people we have spoken to have said that they have had bad experiences with Onduline sheets also and one person described them as cardboard impregnated with bitumen.

My advice would be to avoid Onduline sheets.

Other complaints about Onduline: http://www.complaintsboard.com/compl....html#c1367209

I think that was probably me….and I had the definition from someone else who would know. Probably my mate, the architect. The silly little fixing nails with the fancy plastic heads are ridiculous too as they are difficult to remove without damaging them and can't really be re-used. Onduline might just be acceptable if fixed onto timber or plywood sheeting with proper galvanized clouts with broad heads. But why bother when box profile will out last it several times over, isn't a lot more expensive, and can be re-used? Avoid. Avoid. Avoid! (Anyway, it's foreign!).

 

[popsdosh]

Onduline is rubbish, as you have discovered. Far better to use box profile sheets.

The main reason the manufacturers of economy stables use onduline is because it weighs less than other forms of material so they can cut corners a little on overall strength of the stables. It is ok to use aslong as you are aware of its limitations and build accordingly and accept it has a limited life span.

 

[Welly]

When we had our stable erected we were strongly advised to have sarking put under the onduline. It stoped condensation and stoped the onduline sagging, but I agree not a good product for stable roofs.

 

[Archers1]

Thanks for all the feedback. We're going to pursue it further, I'll let you know how we get on......

 

[Pebble101]

Thanks for all the feedback. We're going to pursue it further, I'll let you know how we get on......

Please do - I had a National Stables shelter 9.5 years ago and the roof is doing as you described. I am wondering whether to contact them.

 

[honetpot]

I had a roof put on by National Stables, and had very good service and was very happy with the product. Onduline is cheaper, and if you look on line its says its guaranteed for 15years, ours started to get holes about then, but there was nothing wrong with the timbers or the frame.
If you want a longer lasting roof covering you have to expect to pay more. My biggest concern at the moment are stables that are made from T&G that is far too thin and not even suitable for chicken houses. If its cheap there has to be a reason.

 

[WelshD]

If you want a longer lasting roof covering you have to expect to pay more.

I agree with this, you cant choose a budget option then name and shame the builder of the stables this many years on knowing full well that the manufacturer only fully covers the product for 5 years!

If it had lasted a couple of years I would have said that would have been fair

 

[Red-1]

Jay has an economy shelter in his school for winter turnout. It has only been up for 4 years, but when he went to summer grazing I had a look at it to see if it needed repair before next winter's onslaught.

It has Onduline, and no inside lining, and I am delighted that it looks all FAB. This is only 4 years old, and I am happy...because.... it was an economy building.

If it makes 10 years I will be double delighted. :-D

 

[BlueSocks]

Just wondered those of you with box profile roofing, is it not seriously noisy when it rains? I've got a mobile with onduline roofing (its not even lined but now in its 10th year and still going strong??!), but I'm getting another shelter for a different field, and wondered about box profile instead. But I am worried that a noisy roof will spook the horses in really bad weather. I think it will be set east facing so in winter the prevailing westerly will be driving straight across the back of it. Experiences anyone?

 

[Onduline]

Hello,

We are sorry to hear that you face problems with our products.

Unfortunately, Onduline is not responsible for the quality of the installation or maintenance of its products.
Every day, we aim to sensitize companies that distribute and use our products to this issues. Sometimes, however, our guidelines are not followed, resulting in short-term problems for end customers.

This is why we wish to remain at your disposal.

If you want to share your reviews or discuss about your issues with us (especially on the guarantee of our products), know that you can reach us by mail or phone:

Customer service - 0207 727 0533 • enquiries@onduline.net

We are always more than happy to answer your questions.

Onduline UK whole team wish you a great day.

Kind regards,
The team Onduline

 

[gpxequestrian]

Hi to all.
I had stables built by National Stables. Over time the roof has sagged and now leaks very badly to the point that we are wasting bedding and hay due to the leaks.. With Onduline having a 15 year life expectancy I thought I should contact the stable manufacturers. I sent them photographs of the roof panels sagging on the inside of the buildings causing valley's across the roof. I received an email from the manufacturers as follows.

"Thank you for your mail. From the photos you have sent and from my experience it appears the Onduline has sagged because the roof purlin needs to be repositioned to cover the join. Alternatively I can send you some hangers and you can fit a new purlin where necessary . I recommend this is done as soon as possible."

This appears to be an admission of improper installation of the Onduline and that it may be a common problem with the design of their stables.I replied suggesting that to reposition the purlins or install new hangers and additional purlins would mean removing the roof panels and asked for some assistance to carry this out. At the time of writing this I have had no further reply from them.

 

[FfionWinnie]

Just wondered those of you with box profile roofing, is it not seriously noisy when it rains? I've got a mobile with onduline roofing (its not even lined but now in its 10th year and still going strong??!), but I'm getting another shelter for a different field, and wondered about box profile instead. But I am worried that a noisy roof will spook the horses in really bad weather. I think it will be set east facing so in winter the prevailing westerly will be driving straight across the back of it. Experiences anyone?

Bit of a late reply but I have box profile sheds and shelter and it doesn't bother the horses at all. They are sensible cobs and prefer the slight noise to it landing on their heads!

 

[Doris68]

Had Onduline on our stables for nearly 20 years - never had a problem! PS. I have no association with Onduline!! PPS. Had Onduline on another building, where I think it wasn't fitted correctly and had to have it replaced - depends on who & how it's fitted I think.

 

[Crugeran Celt]

Our stables were put up by 22 years ago using onduline and now it does need replacing but mainly due to having a company in to do a little repair work and they stood on it! If that hadn't happened the roof would still be ok. I will be replacing it with more onduline.

 

[lrw0250]

I used to work for a stable manufacturer and Onduline was the most common choice for smaller stable blocks and field shelters, while bigger buildings would often stretch to box profile. It is guaranteed by Onduline for 15 years I believe but you do have to follow the instructions in the paperwork with regards to maintenance i.e remove debris like moss and leaves, chap the nails in once a year to tighten them up, keep gutters clean etc. We offered the option of sarking as an extra and would normally advise that this could extend the lifespan by around 5 years. We would do a couple of jobs a year of replacing Onduline roofing that had reached the end of its life but would maybe only have 1 case a year of it failing early in which case we referred to Onduline who would look at it and make a decision with regards to subsiding the cost of replacing it.

 

[dibbin]

We got rid of the onduline on the roof of our stables, but still have it on the external walls. I don't know how old it is but the roof was sagging very badly and had quite a few holes in it. We've gone for plastic-coated metal sheeting with a built in vapour barrier to prevent condensation. Even in the howling wind and rain it's nowhere near as noisy as normal corrugated metal.

 

[DD]

in my experience onduline doesnt last very long.

 

[Dry Rot]

Onduline is nothing better than bitumin impregnated cardboard, in my opinion. In our Scottish winds, it will move and gradually enlarge the nail holes as well as sagging. It is ridiculous to expect owners to go on the roof every year to hammer the nails in! Box profile onto sarking is the only way to go, though I do have corrugated iron on a field shelter with DPM tacked onto the underside of the roof timbers to prevent condensation drips which works well. The sound of rain does not bother horses.

 

[Pebble101]

Oops deleted!

 

[gpxequestrian]

Wow thank you all for your replies. I should say that I am not questioning the worthiness of the Onduline product, It was in fact part of our local planning officers requested materials when we applied to build the stables. My concern is that our stable manufacturer was not competent in installing the product. I am trying to find out if this is a common problem with stables built by "National Stables" and if so has anyone else had any assistance in fixing the problem.

 

[cronkmooar]

Agree with the above - only can confirm that scatty TB's and ISH also have no problems. Its not that noisy at all, and it doesn't leak !


ETA - sorry meant to include quote regarding box sheeting and sensible cobs

 

[Crugeran Celt]

My stables are by National Stables and as I have previously said the onduline roof has been fine for 21 years. The stables have just been jet washed and now look as good as new. The roof does now need replacing but more due to cowboy work men standing on it than the product itself.

 

[Onduline]

Hello Horse & Hound users,

We are relieved to read that you are mostly satisfied with Onduline products.

However, it is always disappointing to learn that some of you encountered negative experiences with our products.

As we explained in May 2015, Onduline is not responsible for the quality of the installation or maintenance of its products.

Onduline offers a wide variety of guidelines that, if followed properly, allow customers to get the full Onduline experience.

Furthermore, in case you have any enquiries regarding Onduline, our products or even the products’ warranties, feel free to contact us:
- Customer service - 0207 727 0533
- enquiries@onduline.net

Best regards,

The Onduline Team

 

[Gift Horse]

you cant choose a budget option then name and shame the builder of the stables this many years on knowing full well that the manufacturer only fully covers the product for 5 years!

If it had lasted a couple of years I would have said that would have been fair

^ This I have a stable building with an Onduline roof. It's been on 20yrs! We are on a windy moor at 1,000ft so fairly rough weather.

 

[*Sahara]

IMO I think Onduline is rubbish stuff, lasted about 8 years then had to replace it, our newest stables now have a plywood and felt roof. Stables are much cosier. :smile3:

 

[Doris68]

I go back to what I said earlier - Onduline has been on our stables for nearly 20 years with no problems. I guess because it was properly fitted. I'm sorry that other people have had problems; I can only speak as I find - we've been very happy with it!

 

[Pebble101]

Ours has bowed even though there is not much space between the supports. My friend had some stables built after a fire and one of the builders refused to use it as he said she would have problems in future.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I'm pleased with our Onduline roofing, and we've got rather a lot of it. It's between 5 and 10 years old. It was put on over OSB boarding, which I presume adds rigidity. It hasn't had any maintenance, it just carries on doing the job. It's wearing much better than the roofing felt over OSB which I had on the original stables.

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2015