"roof beams and trusses timber"

The University of West England has added high-quality accommodation to its Frenchay campus. The buildings on Coldharbour Lane consist of townhouse-style accommodation and 23 self- contained flats. RCM were appointed by Unique Envelope Façade Solutions to supply over 1,000m2 of Rockpanel Metallics in order to add a special effect façade to the timber frame buildings.

Discover the remarkable transformation of Draycott's Canal Side Cottages, a project that has breathed new life into six derelict 200-year-old cottages in Derbyshire. Led by the dedicated efforts of the Derbyshire and Sandiacre Canal Trust and local volunteers, this restoration project has not only created a stunning residential development but also a historical tourist attraction.Gowercroft products used:Chatsworth Sliding Sash WindowsMelbourne DoorsHardwick Casement WindowsRed GrandisOriginally built in the 1820s on the banks of the old Derby Canal, these cottages served as homes for mill workers and local families. However, by 1985, they had fallen into disrepair, on the verge of demolition. In 2017, the Derbyshire and Sandiacre Canal Trust stepped in to rescue the cottages as part of their ambitious plan to restore the disused canal and the surrounding area.With the vision of turning these cottages into a vibrant mixed-use complex, the Trust launched a £650k appeal. The goal was to create three 2-3 bedroom dwellings, a canal side café, commercial spaces for leisure companies, and a museum showcasing the canal's history and the lives of mill workers.ADDC Architects, renowned conservation experts, were entrusted with the task of designing the conversion. They skillfully worked around the intricate history of the original brick buildings, which had gone through multiple alterations and rebuilds in the 19th century. The architects aimed to preserve the unique character of the cottages while ensuring a functional layout suitable for their new purpose.The restoration process involved an incredible community effort, with local tradesmen, contractors, and volunteers coming together to bring the cottages back to life. The extensive work included clearing vegetation and debris, erecting scaffolding, reinforcing timbers, and salvaging original bricks and slates for rebuilding.One crucial aspect of the restoration was the installation of new timber windows. Gowercroft Joinery, a reputable local manufacturer with expertise in heritage and restoration projects, supplied the traditional Chatsworth sliding sash windows for the canal-facing elevations. These windows perfectly matched the original designs, featuring slim finger-jointed frames and Georgian styled glazing bars. At the rear, Hardwick casement windows were installed to maintain a utilitarian look consistent with the building's history.Crafted from solid Red Grandis hardwood, the windows offered both elegance and energy efficiency. The bespoke curved top casements faithfully reinstated, and Melbourne hardwood doors further enhanced the joinery and timber craftsmanship throughout the cottages.The restored Canal Cottages now stand as a symbol of the Trust's broader vision to revive the 13-mile canal and its surrounding areas. Once completed, the canal restoration will create a 25-mile cruising ring, connecting to thousands of miles of navigable waterways across the UK. It will provide opportunities for outdoor activities, such as angling, canoeing, and cycling while promoting wildlife conservation and improving the well-being of local residents.By being a part of this project, Gowercroft Joinery has not only contributed to the architectural heritage but also supported the revival of the Derby Canal, acting as a catalyst for regeneration in the city centre. The Canal Side Cottages showcase the perfect synergy between traditional craftsmanship and modern performance, ensuring years of comfort and enjoyment for all those who experience them.

Silverlakes eco village in Dorset is a new build venture where the client wanted to achieve maximum sustainability.The houses, boat houses, garages and also communal areas such as the leisure centre required green roofs and M-Tray® was chosen due to its ease of transport and installation, and its square modular nature. Pre-grown, healthy sedum plants inside the plastic trays were laid onto the flat roofs across the village, providing an attractive dressing and improving storm water attenuation, thermal insulation and a magnet for wildlife.

Bespoke garage and car port doors from Rundum Meir, which provide natural ventilation and daylighting into enclosed garage spaces, can deliver a seamless aesthetic result in contemporary architecture featuring vertical timber board-on-batten cladding. This is illustrated at the Abode development in Cambridgeshire, where the architects delivered uniformity across different housing styles using a limited palette of materials. Horizontal and vertical cladding was extended into the doors for the car ports manufactured in matching oak. These ventilated doors enable fresh air and daylight to flow through the car ports from the rear gardens, adding an interesting visual dimension.

The aesthetically pleasing Victorian residences built in the 1870’s by Matthew Allen are still going strong today. TAPERED FOAMGLAS® insulation replaces the original concrete screeds, allowing the roofs to shed water. Excellent thermal performance and long-term reliability ensure that Mr. Allen’s properties will last for a long time.

In 2015 Robertson Partnership Homes was a start-up business within the group and this development was their first development on site and they have gone on to deliver numerous developments of a similar nature for most of the large local authorities and housing associations in Scotland.Russell Roof Tiles provided 100,000 Grampian and Pennine tiles in Anthracite and Terracotta colours.

Russell Roof Tiles supplied 27,000 black Galloway tiles for a total of 27 homes on the unique island community project of St. Mary’s Island, Kent.

This was a relatively small installation of under 100 sq metres of asbestos roof coating and metal gutter lining. The asbestos cement roof was first cleaned using a closed box pressure washer, with all waste water being filtered to 2 microns. The cleaned roof was coated using Liquasil's BBA Approved asbestos roof coating system, Asbestoseal. The metal gutter was cleaned and thn treated with SWT (Surface and wet tolerant) corrosion primer. Joints were treated with Non-Sag Sealer and the gutter lined with Liquasil One to provide a seamless lining.

Metalseal 20 was specified as part of an industrial unit refurbishment project. Metalseal is the only BBA Approved metal roof coating on the market and the only one to come with a Latent Defects Insurance Guarantee. This is a single coat application, in this case, using brush and roller to avoid the risk of over-spray which can occur when using airless spray equipment.

City of Edinburgh Council required a new roof for one of its local authority primary schools, Parsons Green. Built in 1961, the school had a copper pitched roof which was in need of replacement, and an upgrade to the insulation of the building was also required. The council also required a 20 year single point insurance-backed guarantee and a reputable installing roof contractor.

Project:Architects Foster + Partners approached Surespan to design and manufacture two roof hatches for Circle Hospital Bath – the new centre of clinical excellence due to open in late 2009. Product:The huge single-leaf glazed roof hatches are electrically operated by push button switches, one hatch incorporating a side door. The high spec glazed lid is supported by heavy-duty aluminium hinges and features an integral ‘wrap over’ edge, incorporating double unbroken EPDM seals. The hatches offer a high level of thermal insulation against heat loss and condensation, together with excellent sound absorption properties.

ProjectSurespan manufactured and supplied a double-glazed access hatch for use on a private residential apartment in downtown San Francisco. ProductThe 915 (36”) x 4115 (162”) hatch was electrically operated for easy operation and allowed easy access to the roof deck for Al Fresco dining in the Californian sun. “The glass hatch is one of the best features of the house.” Glazed hatches feature a frameless design eliminating water ponding. The 28.4mm sealed glazed unit comprised of Pilkington Insulight™ Therm, 6mm Optifloat™ Clear ‘T’ (toughened), 16mm Argon filled cavity, 6.4mm Pilkington Optilam™ ‘K’ Glass Laminated glass.

Surespan manufactured a double-glazed sliding access hatch for use in a private residential apartment in London. Product2640 (103?) x 2020mm (79?) hatch was electrically operated via a key switch for easy operation and allowed access to the roof providing views across the London skyline. The sliding cover was finished in grey external polyester powder coating with a white internal finish. The 35.5mm sealed double glazed unit comprised of Pilkington 6mm toughened K polished all-round outer pane, 20mm Warm Edge silver spacer Bar argon filled, Pilkington 9.5mm toughened & laminated inner pane, divided into two panes.

Hydrostop AH-25 product was chosen to refurbish 450m2 of roof at the Sacred Heart Primary School in the Bridgeton area of Glasgow. Areas of the roof had been leaking, leading to considerable water damage and disruption to some classrooms. The priority for the roof works was to procure a waterproofing system with minimal hot works that would cause as little disruption to the school’s everyday activities as possible.

CUPA 9 slates have been specified as part of a modern luxury housing development in Yorkshire. The company’s natural Spanish slates were chosen on account of their aesthetic value, long-term durability and competitive pricing.  Set amongst the foothills of the Yorkshire Wolds and with panoramic views of the Humber Estuary, ‘The View’ in Swanland is a luxury 14 house development, which has been led by main developer, Church Gate Homes. The high-end collection of properties has been delivered using premium building solutions, including CUPA PIZARRAS H9, with each property featuring around 10,000 individual slates. Excelling in terms of aesthetics and long-lasting performance, natural roofing slates are capable of enduring extreme temperatures, are fire-resistant and unaffected by UV light. Incredibly durable, solutions manufactured from slate can offer a lifecycle of over 100 years. Additionally, the natural make up of the material ensures that it is also the most sustainable roofing option on the market. Specifically, CUPA 9 is a grey slate with a very smooth surface and is taken from one of CUPA PIZARRAS’ own quarries in Riofrío de Aliste in Northern Spain. With its traditional beauty, the natural slate is ideal for use across heritage projects. However, the stylish aesthetic of the material also lends itself equally well to modern developments, such as ‘The View’ where it can be used to create sleek roof designs. Speaking on the project, Calum Cowham, Marketing Manager at Burton Roofing Merchants Ltd commented: “The project team needed a roofing solution that both looked and performed perfectly. With the CUPA 9 slates that’s exactly what they got. What’s more, the company’s natural slate product range is available at a highly competitive price point, which owes a lot to CUPA PIZARRAS’ efficient and effective production methods.” Martin Sutton, Operations Manager at Church Gate Homes commented: “When working on high-value properties, it is important to offer customers products, which combine durability and aesthetic value. This is exactly what CUPA PIZARRAS slates allowed us to do at ‘The View’. The company’s natural products perfectly suited the prestigious nature of the site.” As well as offering quality slate solutions, the CUPA PIZARRAS specialists were also on hand to assist the installation team at Church Gate Homes with specific advice on how to fit the slates in line with all relevant standards and requirements. Similarly, the installation team benefitted from the onsite support of leading roofing merchant, Burton Roofing Merchants Ltd. Burton Roofing’s team helped to ensure products were safely delivered to site when required and provided further technical assistance where necessary. “The roofing installation at ‘The View’ was very straightforward and the finished results look great,” commented Martin. “The CUPA PIZARRAS slates have provided a clean and tidy appearance, which fits well across all of the properties. What’s more, we were able to carry out the installation with very little waste, which further bolstered the product’s cost-effective and environmental credentials.” To this end, natural slate solutions also have the added benefit of requiring no chemical or heat treatments that need gas during their production. To ensure even greater environmental performance, CUPA PIZARRAS also endeavours to recycle all of its processing water via a closed circuit, and works to restore exhausted quarries by hydroseeding native plants and ensuring the natural recovery of the local flora and fauna. CUPA PIZARRAS has also been recognised and certified by the Carbon Trust as a carbon neutral company. This recognition highlights the company’s comprehensive effort in sustainability and makes it the first slate production company to achieve carbon neutrality within its operations. All properties at ‘The View’ were sold prior to the commencement of the development. Work at the site continues to progress with the project team working to complete the bespoke designs of its individual customers.  

This project had a wide ranging number of detailing factors to overcome with cladding abutment details and change in levels to be redesigned and encompassed into a system that also drained the roof areas of their historic high levels of standing water. Some of the existing construction build had not taken into account any suitable maintenance of the roof with sections being completely inaccessible and thus reducing the performance of the waterproofing.

As part of our involvement in this project we supplied a bespoke reception desk and a variety of fire-rated door-sets.

Liquasil's BBA Approved Metalseal 20 roof coating and Gutterseal system were specified for use on the Airspace Trampoline Park in Wolverhampton. The whole roof was pressure washed and a historical cut-edge corrosion treatment was removed before application; the cut-edges were treated with our SWT Corrosion Primer, with additional reinforcement to the mid-laps through the installation of Liquasil's optional HP Butyl Tape.The whole roof was then coated with Metalseal 20 in Goosewing Grey at a filmweight of c. 300 microns to provide a protective, aesthetically pleasing finish.The gutters were cleaned out and dried before being primed with our SWT Corrosion Primer. Once touch-dry, the joints could then be sealed using our Non-Sag Sealer and a single coat of Liquasil One was applied to the entire gutter. Liquasil One can be immediately applied over the top of Non-Sag Sealer, meaning no time is wasted waiting for it to cure before the works can continue.The end result was a revitalised metal roof with a protective, water-resistant coating that is guaranteed for 20 years.

The roof to a Waitrose distribution centre has been completely refurbished in a single ply membrane system chosen for its sustainable credentials and no disruption to the retailer’s 24/7 operations at Aylesford near Maidstone, Kent.

A dated conservatory area is transformed by Breezefree with a retractable glass roof and polycarbonate curtain walling. Nagan Johnson Architects approached Breezefree to refurbish a dated conservatory area as part of the fit-out of the Cuban restaurant group’s second site in London’s Smithfield district. The brief required a modern retractable glass roof, to replace the old lean-to rooflight, and translucent curtain walling, to replace the dilapidated brick walls and windows...

Over 2,300m² of Protan SE 1.2mm PVC single-ply membrane was installed in the Protan Prefabricated roof system at Wilmslow Garden Centre, Cheshire. The main driver behind the installation of this roof system was the time constraint placed upon the roofing contractor for installation of the roof. Using Protan's unique ProPlan CAD software, a bespoke solution was created for the project - prefabricated rolls of membrane measuring 3.96x8.00m were manufactured to span the barrels of the roof. This minimised on-site waste and reduced on-site hot air welding by 1,080 linear metres.

Our Roof Hatches have been installed on top of many buildings around the world. For this project, our Roof Hatches were installed with stunning views of Alexandra Palace.To suit the building's style, these hatches feature an anthracite powder coat finish, not only enhancing their durability but also adding a contemporary and stylish touch to the overall aesthetics.Thanks to the gas struts, opening and closing these hatches is effortless, ensuring convenience and ease of use.

This project in Derbyshire involved treating cut edge corrosion, re-coating the roof and lining the gutters. Products used were * Metalaseal BBA Approved metal roof coating system * SWT Primer (to treat rust in the gutters and cut edges) * Liquasil One and Non-Sag Sealer to line the gutters. The project is covered by the unique Liquasil Latent Defects Guarantee, which is written specifically for Liquasil and underwritten by an A-Rated, Lloyds of London insurer.

FDT harnessed the most modern roofing materials and advanced 21st century technological know-how to help preserve one of Europe’s most remarkable ancient monuments, 5,000-year-old Skara Brae. The designated World Heritage Site, a fascinating commune of small interlinked stone dwellings, is one of the most-visited tourist attractions on the historic Orkney islands and offers up to 60,000 visitors a year an unparalleled taste of life in Neolithic Orkney.

SIG Design & Technology and SIG Insulation are working with the Interserve Kajima consortium on a batch of seven secondary school projects to deliver a value-engineered, robust roofing solution. At Stopsley High School there are two roofs installed by Briggs Amasco in an approximate 16 week programme. The largest roof measures some 2500m2 and the inverted roof build up selected and supplied by SIG comprises IKO’s PermaTEC hot melt waterproofing system.

Product:1no. Bespoke Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy: 74.26m x 3m – 3.5m2no. Standard Coniston Wall Mounted Canopies: 8m x 2.1m and 8.9m x 2.1mCanopy Frame Colour: Light Blue RAL 5012, matt finishInstallation Date: August - September 2019Contractor: Morgan SindallArchitect: Miller Bourne ArchitectsThe BriefIn September 2018, an invitation to tender was received by Able Canopies from Morgan Sindall Construction Ltd for a number of canopies at the brand new two-storey, primary and nursery school for which they had been awarded the contract to build to form part of the Hailsham Community College Academy Trust.After reviewing the tender documents we put our recommended products forward, which was a large Kensington wall mounted canopy and two Coniston wall mounted canopies.The architect then contacted us directly to detail that the main building frame was made up of large timber SIPS panels and the large steel posts were required to support the roof. However, they were also decorative in essence and played a significant part in the building aesthetic appeal, and they required Able Canopies to supply and install them as part of the package as they would run through the larger canopy.The original design and price we submitted did not require the inclusion of the steel posts, however we were then asked to include in our canpy costs. We therefore went back to the drawing board to come up with a canopy design which would fit the aesthetic and structural features required.The SolutionWhilst in talks with the architect, they explained that they favoured our Coniston Wall Mounted Canopy system and also requested the NBS spec for the product which wasn’t a problem as our products are all listed on the NBS National BIM Library.We therefore looked at the Coniston system and worked with the structural engineer to ensure the steel beams could be incorporated into the canopy. This enabled us to supply the contractor and architect with an estimate so we could secure the works as an early package enabling them to cast the foundations required within the main slab.Because the bespoke Coniston would have the required large steel beams through the roof, we designed a solution to ensure the canopy would still be a fully waterproof system. This was easily achieved with the Coniston because we were able to comfortably flash/dress around the roof support columns, to create a seamless walkway with a watertight roof.However, the large steel beams and underside required a lot of design work, we diligently designed bespoke connections for the posts to the beams, bespoke connections for the roof bar to the steel beams and bespoke guttering & gutter connections. This replaced the Coniston’s standard integral guttering system with an external gutter system that worked with the design perfectly.Click the link to continue reading..... https://www.ablecanopies.co.uk/c/wall-mounted-canopy-case-studies/hailsham-community-college-primary-academy-case-study.html

This project, to coat approximately 2000 sq metres of asbestos roof with the BBA Approved Asbestsoeal system is a lesson for all in correct health and safety. Liquasil provides all approved installers with H&S training as standard. This deals with correct use of netting, scaffold, walkways, work platforms and waste water filtration from asbestos roof cleaning. Having already completed 500sq metres on a unit a year previously, the contractor was invited back to complete the rest of the block, which is the best possible endorsement.

Bilco UK’s special zinc-clad Roof Access Hatches and Smoke Vents chosen for the Zaha Hadid designed Glasgow Transport Museum, Scotland. The roof specification included Smoke Vents and Roof Access to blend with the roof finish. Bilco supplied modified units with zinc cladding to achieve the desired look. To enable safe roof maintenance, a modified E-50T Hatch was supplied and installed to the 46 degree sloping roof enabling maintenance staff to gain easy, safe access to roof equipment

A project utilising our Del Carmen Spanish Slate took home the award for Roof Slating at this year’s UK Roofing Awards, hosted by the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC). The NFRC is the largest and most influential roofing trade association in the UK, promoting both quality products and contractors, while ensuring that its members are at the forefront of all roofing developments. Contour Roofing (Essex) was given the task of providing the roof coverings to St Joseph’s College, a Grade II listed building (1866) on the fringes of Mill Hill Village.

A sense of community, abundant greenery and lake views on the roof terrace for all residentsThe housing fair is held annually in Finland. In 2021, it will be held in a scenic location in Lohja, Southern Finland. An interesting partnership quarter will also be put up in the fair area, where a sense of community has especially been taken into account in the planning. A block of 34 modern and energy-efficient apartments. The principal designer of the site is the architect Sasu Alasentie from UKI Arkkitehdit.”The idea behind the whole quarter is a sense of community. The flats in the building do not have their own saunas, but instead a communal use sauna will be constructed on the roof terrace. You can see the wonderful lake scenery from the roof and by utilising the roof terrace we wanted to ensure views of the lake to all residents. The yard areas of the quarter are fairly compact, but the roof terrace creates more greenery and communal outside areas for all the residents to use. We also hope that this will increase the residents’ team spirit and sense of community,” says Sasu Alasentie about the basis of the planning. ”On the roof terrace, we will also build an individual planting box for each resident, where they can cultivate herbs, flowers or whatever plants they want. A small summer kitchen corner and dining area will also be built there, as well as hanging chairs for lounging around. All in all, the area will hopefully become a communal, green oasis to spend time in, for all the residents,” says Sasu Alasentie. ”When we were choosing materials for the terrace, it was important to us that they would be in keeping with the building’s ecological nature and energy efficiency. Together with the contractor, we decided on the UPM ProFi Piazza composite for the terrace material. What appealed to us about it was particularly its durability and that it was easy to look after. Naturally also the fact that it’s made of recycled material, which fits well with the environmentally-friendly ideology of the whole building. I believe that in future projects, environmental friendliness and materials made from recycled materials will become even more popular,” says Sasu Alasentie.  

A detailed visual and physical inspection, together with core and moisture probe analysis carried out by IKO on the roof, patio and walkway areas, indicated that the waterproofing membrane was in a condition commensurate with the age and the type of the traditional membranes installed. They had become fragile and brittle. The decks were saturated due to water ingress, and natural ageing had played a principle part in the deterioration of the waterproofing system. The build-up would not have met the requirements of the current building regulations Part L. IKO worked to refine the specification for the main roof,

Hundreds of homes have been refurbished as part of a multi-million pound revamp of housing association properties.Tristar Homes spent £8m on the scheme at Kennedy Gardens in Billingham where they carried out work on 225 properties across the three housing blocks as well as creating 12 new one and two bedroom homes which have been made available for rent.The development, completed in September 2014, includes the fitting of new windows, new bathrooms and improved living space due to the new balcony extensions.The roof area before its refurbishment had a U-value of 0.4 W/m²K. This existing build-up would not have met the requirements of the current building regulations Part L.The lower roof had been overlaid at least twice since its original construction. In all but one core sample, the existing insulation was wet through and therefore it was apparent that 90% of the existing roof build up needed stripping to the original asphalt. A further inspection was needed when the asphalt was exposed to ascertain the condition and depth of the asphalt. The asphalt was deemed in reasonable condition so the new system could be installed onto the original asphalt.IKO worked with installing contractors BriggsAmasco to refine the roof specification and recommended IKO Mach One single layer bituminous membrane system, installed to the recommendations of wind uplift calculations and performing to a 0.18U value as per requirements.IKO Mach One membranes are a robust, flame-free, single-layer roofing system with added fire-retardancy. IKO Mach One can be mechanically fastened, ballasted or bonded with polyurethane adhesive.A 20-year insurance-backedfire retardancy guarantee was issued to cover all materials, design and workmanship covering contractor insolvency.

In the Peak District National Park with views of Cressbrook Dale and the Monsal trail, a thermal bridging solution developed by Owens Corning FOAMGLAS® is helping to deliver high levels of thermal performance for a new, modern home with a minimal space heating demand.The Quarry is a mostly single storey, green-roofed dwelling set on the site of a former shallow stone quarry. Working with John Pardey Architects (JPA), client Will Griffiths secured permission for a modern design faced with traditional materials to ensure a development that sits comfortably within the landscape.

Surespan designed and manufactured several fire-rated roof hatches for the Killeen ISD East/West Ward Elementary School, in Killeen Texas.  The Project:Huckabee is the architect behind the East/West Ward Elementary School, tasked with replacing two 60-year-old campuses, by combining them into one new holistic learning environment. The planning behind the architecture focuses on efficiency, function and ease of wayfinding. From simple to navigate corridors, modernised classrooms and glazing to illuminate the interior with natural light. East/West Ward Elementary School blends district design standards with innovative thinking to achieve spacial efficiency and maintain equitability.Product:Surespan designed and manufactured five 35.5-inch x 35.5-inch Fire Rated Roof Hatch with an integral guard hand railing attached. These hatches are thermally broken and have been designed and tested with 4-hour fire resistance for integrity to EN 1634-1:2014.  Features:These hatches are using environmentally friendly materials such as non-combustible minerals and fireboard cladding to achieve a top-performing thermal efficiency. All the hatches were finished in a light grey polyester powder-coated finish for an aesthetically pleasing solution. The coating is set to last many years, just like the durable masonry veneer that is featured in the building, helping to maintain the space for years to come. 

The client contacted us in urgent need of a green roof solution before a project handover. Green roof was part of the planning application. Pre-grown panels with patented design were delivered on pallets and lifted to the roof via forklift. The ingenious connecting system means each module clicks to its neighbour tightly and securely so once installed, the sedum has a seamless appearance. The plants are a mixture of sedum species ideal for the UK climate. They are well rooted into Wallbarn's bespoke substrate and fully mature. 250 sqm of green roof was installed in 1 day.

See how RynoPaveSupport paving pedestals helped create a sophisticated roof terrace in the new neighbourhood rising above the area of Canary Wharf.