No sarking under the metal roof
What sarking does, why it goes missing and why lock-up is when to catch it.
In short: Sarking is a thin layer that does a lot of quiet work. On one Manor Lakes build in July 2026 it was not there at all.
What sarking is
A reflective or vapour permeable sheet laid over the trusses before the roof covering. It catches wind driven rain and condensation and helps the home's thermal performance.
What we recorded
Sarking not installed under metal roof sheeting, and on another job sarking torn in several places and left untaped.
The tiled roof version
Under tiles, sarking needs an anti-ponding board at the eaves so water running down it drains into the gutter rather than pooling behind the fascia.
Why lock-up matters
Once the ceiling is in, sarking can only be seen from inside a crowded roof space, and a missing sheet under metal roofing cannot be added without lifting the roof.
What to check
Whether your drawings and energy rating call for sarking. If they do, it should be there and intact at lock-up.
Written by our local inspection team from work carried out in Manor Lakes. Licensed building practitioners, Building & Plumbing Commission registration CDB-U 53425.
