Do the right thing by bats

Housebuilders can give bats a brand new home inside the ridge roost and help support the urban environment, Manthorpe explains.

Finding suitable roosting spots in urban areas has become increasingly difficult for bats in recent years due to improved building practices and materials that reduce defects. However, the Manthorpe Bat Ridge Roost provides a solution by offering these important pollinators a new home among the rooftops.

This product is the result of a partnership between Manthorpe and the bat experts at the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT). By tapping into the BCT’s extensive knowledge of bat behaviours and needs, the ridge roost provides an optimised, purpose-built roosting habitat for small crevice dwelling species right here in the UK.

The field monitoring process includes partnering with Vistry Group to install ridge roosts at one of their new development sites through the BCT’s Roost Partnership Scheme, opening up more opportunities for ecologists, researchers and bat enthusiasts to observe these fascinating nighttime creatures in their urban habitats.

What makes it so bat friendly?

Let’s start with the ridge roost’s prime location situated at the roof’s apex acting as the ridge end cap itself. This elevated spot gives the bats that high vantage point they crave, with a secure, self-contained space offering protection from both predators and the elements.

But the benefits go beyond just the location. The interior was carefully designed with real bats in mind. Climbing grooves and a rougher recycled polymer surface allow them easier manoeuvrability inside the roost, while thermal testing and an insulated inner chamber create a temperature- stable environment. Multiple prototypes were refined before landing on the final shape and textures to seek the bats’ approval.

Now available in an angled version

To make integration even easier, the Bat Ridge Roost is now available in an angled variant, which is designed to work seamlessly with most styles of angled ridge tiles.

The roost is optimised to work in conjunction with the Manthorpe SmartVerge polypropylene handed and ambidextrous dry verge systems, but it can also be used with third-party dry verge systems, traditional verge tiles, or mortared-in verge details. This versatility ensures housing developers and roofers can adopt the solution without compromising on aesthetics or construction timelines.

Designed for modern building needs

With the growing emphasis on environmentally friendly building solutions, it is crucial that new products don’t impede construction schedules. The ridge roost meets this need through the versatile design, which is suitable for both newbuild and refurbishment projects. 

The two-part installation integrates seamlessly with both dry verge systems and traditional verge details, allowing for easy adoption by housing developers without disrupting timelines. The key advantage is the roost’s exterior mounting location, which provides dedicated bat housing while ensuring there are no entry points for the bat into the roofspace itself.

From thermal design backed by university testing, through construction that meets modern aesthetic standards, to insulation that integrates with current building methods, the ridge roost was developed with our industry’s needs in mind. But, most importantly, it answers the call for sustainable solutions that support biodiversity in the urban environment. So, whether you are planning a new residential development or renovating an existing property, keep the Manthorpe Bat Ridge Roost – now in angled and round versions – in mind. Your bat neighbours will appreciate you giving them a place in the community.

www.manthorpebp.co.uk