An innovation proven on roofs: the Bratex Smart Lock sliding seam system – a revolution in quick installation
Bratex Dachy is highlighting one of its key innovations of recent years: the Smar Lock sliding seam system. This modern, precisely engineered solution has become a permanent fixture in the world of modern roofing since its launch. Smar Lock combines the classic, elegant aesthetic of the standing seam with unprecedented simplicity, speed, and ease of installation, offering roofers a technology that significantly reduces work time and improves the quality of the roof covering. This has made the system a valued choice in both modern construction and projects requiring exceptional precision and durability.
Two shapes, one proven principle
The Smart Lock system is distinguished by the introduction of two complementary lock shapes, offering flexibility in roof design:
- Smart Lock Classic: Imitates the traditional rabbet seam, offering a classic, elegant line.
- Smart Lock Delta: It is characterized by a trapezoidal shape that resembles the Snap Lock seam patterns or trapezoidal sheets, giving the roof a more expressive character.
Assembly: Quick, easy and efficient
The biggest advantage appreciated by roofers is the installation method itself. Unlike the snap-lock seam, which requires step-by-step snapping and often requires the use of tools such as a square timber, the slide-lock system is exceptionally simple.
Closing involves sliding one panel behind the other and pulling it closed. This allows the entire length of the zipper to be closed with a single pull, significantly speeding up roofing work and eliminating the need to close or latch the zipper in stages.
Rigidity, safety and flexibility
Smart Lock panels are characterized by their increased height and increased number of locking folds, which translates into incredible sheet stiffness. This makes them more stable both during transport and roof logistics, especially in the case of long formats.
A key advantage, appreciated by professionals, is the ability to remove the sheets without damaging the lock. This feature is invaluable when it comes to correcting errors or facilitating precise work on chimneys and windows.
Construction details and ventilation
Bratex took care of every detail of the system, drawing on the experience gained from numerous implementations:
- End Caps: They aesthetically close each zipper, a solution already known from other Bratex seams.
- High Mounting Strip: The embossed edge of the strip stiffens the panel and holds the sheet above the screws, ensuring proper mounting.
- Unique Profiling: The profiled versions of Smart Lock are unique on the market – their height of 4 mm allows for compensation of even slight curvatures of the substructure and supports ventilation and drying of condensation on the underside of the sheet metal.
To finish the eaves in profiled versions, Bratex offers system finishing strips that ensure proper water drainage and ventilation of the sheet edges.
Guidelines for substructure
To ensure maximum stability and durability of the Smart Lock system, please follow the substrate recommendations, which are adapted to the specific model.
For the flat version we always recommend full formwork (or tiling.) Openwork is acceptable – with a gap of approximately 8 cm. However, for profiled versions, the maximum spacing of supports (battens or boards) is as much as 25 cm. This dimension results from the exceptional stiffness of the profile, as well as the requirement for maximum screw spacing.
The quality of the boards is also extremely important: they should have the lowest possible moisture content and be precisely cut and straight to avoid the wavy effect.
The Bratex Smart Lock Classic and Delta sliding seam system is a combination of aesthetics, advanced technology and speed, which has proven its value in numerous investments in Poland.