Sliding Roof FAQs
Considering a sliding roof? Here are straight answers to the questions we are asked most, covering how they work, what they fit onto, size, planning permission, what they are made from and maintenance. If your question is not covered here, our team is always happy to talk it through.
How does a sliding roof work?
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A sliding roof does exactly what the name suggests. It covers your salt or stored material to keep it dry, then slides clear when you need access, so loaders and trucks can get in and out quickly. When you are finished, it slides back over to protect the material again.
It is a space-saving alternative to a full barn, designed for situations where access matters and space is tight. Sliding the roof out of the way also keeps it clear of heavy plant while you work, which greatly reduces the risk of a loader or bucket catching and damaging the structure. The result is dry, protected material and fast, easy loading, without the footprint or cost of a permanent enclosed building. It suits smaller salt stocks and tight depot yards particularly well.
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What can a sliding roof be fitted to?
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A sliding roof is versatile in how it mounts, which is part of what makes it such a practical retrofit. We can install it onto cast concrete walls, storage pits, concrete blocks or an existing roof structure, so in many cases it works with the bays and walls you already have rather than needing a whole new build.
That flexibility means a sliding roof can often be added to an existing salt store or storage pit to bring it under cover, or specified as part of a new setup. At the design stage we look at what you already have on site and work out the best way to mount the roof, then engineer it to suit. Tell us about your walls, pit or existing structure and we will confirm how the roof fits and what, if anything, needs preparing first.
What span and size is available?
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A sliding roof spans up to 16 metres and can be built to any length, so it can cover anything from a single bay to a long run of storage. The size is worked out around what you are covering and the walls, pit or structure it mounts onto.
Because it is designed to slide, the layout also takes into account the space the roof needs to run into when it is open, so you get clear, unobstructed access when you want it. It is best suited to smaller and medium salt stocks and tight depot yards, where a full dome barn would be more structure than you need. If your storage is larger than a sliding roof comfortably covers, we will tell you and talk you through the alternatives, such as a dome timber barn.
Do I need planning permission for a sliding roof?
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Often it is straightforward, because a sliding roof usually sits within an existing setup, such as walls or a storage pit that are already in place, rather than being a large new building in its own right. That said, whether planning permission is needed still depends on the site, the size of the structure and your local authority's rules, so it is always worth checking before you commit.
We advise you on where you stand at the design stage, taking into account what is already on your site. If an application is needed, we prepare and submit the drawings and information for you and manage the process, so there are no hold-ups once you are ready to go ahead. As with any structure, it is worth confirming the position early rather than assuming either way.
What is a sliding roof made from and how long does it last?
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A sliding roof is built from a marine-grade AlMg3 aluminium alloy, the same kind of material used for ships' hatches, chosen specifically to stand up to salt. That matters, because salt storage is one of the most corrosive environments a structure can face, and this alloy resists it year after year where ordinary steel would suffer.
That corrosion resistance is the key to its longevity. It is a light, simple structure with few parts to fail, so it is built to keep working through many winters with very little trouble. Around 150 sliding roofs are already in service across mainland Europe, on council depots, motorway sites and at airports, some for many years, and we now offer the same proven solution across the UK. It is also a low-carbon, less-is-more approach that avoids the material and replacement cycle of heavier alternatives.
What maintenance does a sliding roof need?
A sliding roof is simple and hard-wearing, so it needs very little maintenance, but because it moves, a little care keeps it running smoothly. The main thing is to keep the moving parts and running gear in good order, so the roof keeps sliding freely and closing tightly. A periodic check of the aluminium, the fixings and the mechanism is usually all it takes.
We service and inspect the sliding roofs we install, checking the moving parts, putting right any wear and making sure it keeps opening and closing reliably through every winter. If anything is damaged or worn over the years, we repair or replace the affected parts rather than the whole structure, and one team that knows the system keeps yours working. Whether you want a one-off inspection or a regular visit, we keep it operating as it should.
Still have questions?
Speak to one of our experts about your project and we will provide answers, guidance and a fixed-price quotation. Call, email or fill out the form and we'll be straight back to you.
Lucas Hooijenga, Managing Director
lucas@eurodome.com | 07500 66 44 22
Cameron Dickson, Commercial Director cameron@eurodome.com | 07868 20 88 47