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Above image: The roofing installation of the Temple Farm development was praised for demonstrating a sustainable approach and achieving an ‘Outstanding’ BREEAM rating.

Market-leading single ply roofing manufacturer Sika Sarnafil and two of its Registered Contractors have triumphed at this year’s Single Ply Roofing Association (SPRA) Awards.

The awards, which recognise best practice within the single ply roofing industry, saw Exeter-based Progressive Systems Ltd take home the Best Safe Working award for their contribution to The Dunes development, while Harlow-based Contour Roofing (Essex) Ltd came out top in the Best Sustainability category for their work on the Temple Farm Development.

Announced at SPRA’s fifth annual conference and awards ceremony, held at Heythrop Park, Oxfordshire on Thursday 13 June, this year’s awards celebrated both people and projects, with prizes taken home across six project categories.

Progressive’s single ply installation at The Dunes, a stunning new beachfront development in Perranporth, Cornwall, was praised by SPRA for the safety measures taken amidst challenging weather conditions.

Image: The Dunes project was commended for its strong commitment to workforce safety in the face of challenging weather conditions.

Progressive’s Levi Stephens, dedicated contracts manager for the project, comments on the win: “We’re over the moon to have been recognised for our strong commitment to workforce safety in this year’s SPRA Awards. Installing single ply on this job was challenging, not only due to having a large area to cover, but also due to disruption caused by the coastal climate. With strong winds and driving rain, we had to ensure our workers’ complete safety was taken into account. However, by combining a systematic and thorough coverage of each roof block, high quality products and the expertise of both our roofers and Sika Sarnafil’s technicians, the roofing installation was finished on time and within budget.”

Temple Farm Development, a huge multi-roof project that saw a 34-hectare scrapyard transformed into new national headquarters for the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Britain, also impressed at the awards. SPRA said the project was a clear winner in its category for achieving a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ rating upon completion and demonstrating a sustainable approach from the outset. Additional praise was given for the project’s biodiverse green roofing system, designed to boost the local flora and fauna above the Sarnafil membrane, while the contractor was also praised for ensuring the community and environment were respected during installation, which included designing work methods to minimise noise, dust and traffic.

Contour Roofing’s managing director Jonathan Woods says: “We’re delighted that our work on Temple Farm development was recognised at the SPRA Awards. Although challenging, it was a very enjoyable development to work on and we are all very proud of the finished result. Not only did the project result in outstanding sustainability credentials, but the use of Sarnafil products helped to create a durable roofing system, save on costs and secure an all-encompassing Sika Sarnafil guarantee.”

John O’Raw, Head of Sales – Single Ply Membrane at Sika, adds: “We’re thrilled to see these projects shine at the SPRA Awards. Both are a testament to the robustness and flexibility of the Sarnafil Single Ply Membrane, which is showcased by the fact that these projects won based on overcoming challenging aspects and providing excellent sustainability benefits. We are incredibly proud of both projects, not only for excelling at the SPRA Awards, but for the hard work and dedication paid by all those involved.”

For more information please call 01707 394444, or visit http://gbr.sarnafil.sika.com

An inspiring new sports facility, featuring a striking Sika Sarnafil single ply membrane roof, has just been completed at St. George’s Weybridge, a Roman Catholic co-educational nursery, private day school and 6th form college in Surrey.

The exciting new architectural development has been built as part of the establishment’s 150th anniversary celebrations and includes a premiership level hockey pitch and six-court sports hall, as well as a strength and conditioning suite, dance studio and flexible multi-use areas.

Transforming the existing, functionally simple sports hall, this now beautifully designed facility has a tree canopy-like roof structure draping over the building’s internal spaces.

Designed by global architectural practice Scott Brownrigg, the roof needed to achieve 30m clear spans across the main hall and the design needed to be clever and sensitive to the fact that the site’s location sits within the green belt. It also required a flexible and durable waterproofing solution to ensure the building leaves a lasting legacy for future generations of Georgians.

Felicity Meares, Architect at Scott Brownrigg, comments on how they approached the design and specification: “We designed a bespoke freeform glulam roof that curves in multiple directions. Computer modelling software allowed us to create and control this complex roof form in virtual reality, pushing and pulling it to blend into the landscape.

“In need of a roofing product elegant and pliable enough to accommodate the complex design, lightweight enough to minimise the impact on the roof’s structure and cost effective enough to cover such a large area, Sarnafil G410-ELF lead grey single ply membrane was specified, along with Sarnavap 5000, 120m SarnaTherm G insultation board and Sika SolarMount-1. Sarnafil adhered décor profiles were also built, allowing rainfall to be interrupted and guided across the roof.”

Sarnafil worked closely with the architects and contractors to develop a specification that not only had the correct U-value, but was also compatible with the Cross Laminated Timber roof build-up and ancillary roof mounted systems used, such as Photovoltaics, Latchways, a built-in gutter and upstands for roof openings.

Roofing contractor Malone Roofing was tasked with realising the architect’s roof design. With both Malone and Scott Brownrigg having specified Sarnafil in the past, the entire team were confident that Sarnafil single ply was the right fit for this unique roof form.

Paul Hughes, Managing Director at Malone Roofing, oversaw the project. He comments on the project: “We started work on the roof in October 2018 and spent a combined total of 12 weeks on the project. Despite being faced with a particularly rainy period and a challenging design, with curves sloping up to 30 degrees in some areas, we were able to complete the roof on time and to budget.”

The architect’s vision was to create a contemporary building that would inspire students to achieve their very best. Thanks to an exceptional design, impeccable installation and Sika Sarnafil’s robust guarantees, the team have been able to achieve just that, while also ensuring this timeless design will be protected and enjoyed for years to come.

For more information on Sika’s products and services call 01707 394444, email sarnafilroofing@uk.sika.com or visit gbr.sika.com

Market-leading single ply roofing manufacturer Sika Sarnafil and leading South West roofing contractor Progressive Systems Ltd are celebrating following a win at the Roofing Awards 2019.

The roof of the Dunes – a stunning new beachfront development in Perranporth, Cornwall – came out on top in the Single Ply Roofing category, which was sponsored by EJOT UK.

Hosted by the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC), TV host Sarah Beeny announced winners at a ceremony on 10 May 2019 at the InterContinental London – The O2.

Sika Sarnafil

The awards celebrate the very best in the industry across all roofing disciplines, recognising outstanding workmanship, problem solving, environmental qualities and contribution to the built environment.

Progressive’s impressive work on The Dunes, which was completed in August 2018, secured their place as one of 13 category winners.

The Dunes project also triumphed at the annual RICS Awards 2019: South West, supported by headline sponsor Sika. Coming out top in the Residential Property category, winners were announced at a ceremony on 22 May 2019 at Bristol Marriott Hotel. The development was labelled exceptional by judges, who were impressed by the project’s innovative design, high quality construction and consideration for sustainability.

Working on a site just 10 short metres from the beach, Progressive was tasked with installing a long-lasting roofing system robust enough to withstand the South coast’s often extreme wind and rain, while matching the luxury aesthetic of the build.

Having suggested Sika Sarnafil’s single ply membrane to the architect Stride Treglown, the team worked closely with Sika Sarnafil and the main contractor Acorn Blue to ensure a high-quality and cost-effective finish.

Wind uplift calculations were provided by Sika Sarnafil to the contractors, which suggested the product be mechanically fixed to ensure the roof was able to resist the formidable weather. With a combination of Sarnafil’s S327 18 EL Lead Grey single ply membrane, plus Sarnavap vapour control and SarnaTherm insulation, the outcome was a robust roof that met the requirements of the project.

The skilled workmanship and clever design saw the roof secure a 20-year guarantee, which covered all Sika Sarnafil products used in the installation.

Progressive’s Levi Stephens, dedicated contracts manager for the project, comments on the Roofing Awards win: “One of the most prominent design features on the roof were Sarnafil Decor Profiles, which were used on the steeper pitched roofs and the beach houses in order to mimic a standing seam roof. These were a challenge to execute both in terms of the roof being pitched and the windy coastal conditions. However, having used Sika Sarnafil single ply many times before, we were confident in the product specified and are over the moon to see the end result recognised with such a prestigious award.”

Alistair Speirs, Area Technical Manager at Sika, added: “We’re thrilled to see this build excel in the Roofing Awards’ Single Ply Roofing category. The Dunes was a 14-month project challenged with unforgiving coastal weather and high expectations in terms of quality workmanship. However, the combination of Sika products along with the expertise of both the contractors and our technicians involved in the installation resulted in a stunning finish that will keep the residents of The Dunes warm and dry for many years to come.”

For more information on Sika’s products and services call 01707 394444, email sarnafilroofing@uk.sika.com or visit gbr.sika.com

Market-leading single ply roofing manufacturer Sika Sarnafil, architects Cullinan Studio and Roofing Contractors Cambridge (RCC) are celebrating following a win at the first-ever AJ Specification Awards.

The roof refurbishment of the Central Building at Cambridge University’s Fitzwilliam College – one of the first major projects to use a pioneering, new approach to Sika Sarnafil’s products – came out on top in the Roofing and Drainage category.

Announced at a ceremony held at The Principal Hotel in Manchester on Friday 15 February, prizes were taken home across a total of 12 categories for projects demonstrating outstanding working relationships between architects, manufacturers and suppliers.

In what was a skilful collaboration between Sarnafil, Cullinan and RCC, the judges agreed there was something special about the way this unique brutalist building had been beautifully protected.

Comprising protruding ‘scalloped’ detailing, an innovative waterproofing solution was created to refurbish the highly complex roof, all without visually altering the original 1960s Denys Lasdun design.

Sika Sarnafil’s single ply membrane and Sikalastic 621 – a liquid-applied product typically used for areas with complex detailing – were used across large areas. This pairing of systems was further enhanced by Sika Refurbishment’s SikaFloor 420.

Sika Limited’s concrete products were also specified for the build by concrete repair contractors Gunite Eastern. Sika’s innovative concrete repair system included a steel corrosion inhibitor. Sika® FerroGard®-903+, which penetrates the concrete and forms a protective monomolecular layer on the surface of the reinforcing steel, was used alongside Sika MonoTop® repair mortars. The concrete was finished with Sikagard®-550W, a high-performance anti-carbonation coating, with crack-bridging capabilities, that protects the concrete, while meeting the aesthetic requirements of the structure.

Sika has a wide range of products available for most applications within the construction industry, which can range from waterproofing, flooring, concrete, sealing and bonding, facade, roofing and refurbishment applications, as well as teams of specialists available to advise on specific projects. Using a combination of systems, while working internally within the company, Sika was able to advise on the most suitable materials for different aspects of the project and ultimately provided a complete building envelope solution, with the client benefitting from having only one supplier to deal with.

Neil Smith, Technical Advisor at Sika Sarnafil, said: “We’re exceptionally proud that the teams across Cullianan Studio, RCC and Sika Sarnafil have been commended by the AJ Specification Awards. The winning project posed a huge design challenge, which was met with a unique approach and use of materials. Completed early and on budget, while the college remained operational throughout, the success of this project is testament to the close working relationships we foster with our highly skilled architects, contractors and clients, while also providing the best quality products.”

Dave Stewart at RCC said he was thrilled to see a project his team had worked on recognised in such prestigious awards: “The central Building Lantern roof was very unusual, presenting numerous detailing challenges that we welcomed. We worked closely with Sika Sarnafil and carried out multiple site tests to ensure the junction between the Sikalastic 621 and single ply membrane was formed using the most effective methods. The use of Sarnametal created a strong bond between the two products, enabling them to be successfully sealed together. This was a challenging and enjoyable project that demonstrates how well these products can work together for roofs with incredibly complex detailing.”

Alex Abbey from Cullinan Studio added: ”We are thrilled that, together as a team, we have won this award. This iconic, brutalist gem of a building is now renewed and preserved for many years to come due to an innovative shell, fascia and roof waterproofing solution, achieved through collaboration. The pioneering approach developed on this project can now be applied to protect other buildings, opening up new possibilities for roof design in the future.”

For more information on Sika’s products and services call 01707 394444, email sarnafilroofing@uk.sika.com or visit gbr.sika.com

Eight years after being put on the ‘At Risk’ register by English Heritage, the landmark Terry’s Chocolate Factory has a new lease of life, following extensive refurbishment. The 1926, Grade II listed building now starts a new chapter as a care village owned by Springfield Healthcare.

Once home to famous brands such as Chocolate Orange, the factory and offices were closed in 2005 and fell into disrepair over the subsequent decade. Eventually the building, which is part of a 27-acre site, was acquired by Henry Boot Developments for conversion. The renovations included a full roof refurbishment that was undertaken by Hull-based roofing contractor L.A. Hall using a Sika Sarnafil single ply system.

One of the key focuses of the work was to preserve and retain the art deco features of the building while increasing its lifespan. A vital element of the repairs was the work on the existing flat and slate roof areas that were in a very poor state, and a roof for the new additional floor of the building.

Principal contractor Simpson (York) Ltd., brought L.A. Hall on board to complete the roofing works, which comprised a number of disciplines, including heritage Westmorland slating, single ply, zinc cladding and leadwork.

L.A. Hall suggested using a Sika Sarnafil system for the flat roof areas, as it matched the client’s requirements for longevity and sustainability, and is the company’s preferred membrane choice. The project’s conservation officer was initially concerned that the system would be too shiny, but Sika Sarnafil provided a number of samples, and after discussions, the specification was welcomed by all parties.

The project was complex due to the multiple roof areas and detailing. To begin, the existing slating on the central north light roof slopes, which were remaining in place as part of the new scheme, were re-covered using a fully adhered Sika Sarnafil system including G410-EL membrane in Lead Grey.

In addition to the existing roof areas, an extra floor to the building was constructed around the north lights. Its steep slated mansard-type external elevation included approximately 60 dormer windows, which required zinc on all the vertical faces and Sarnafil on the tops. The flat roof area of the extension was then also covered in the Sarnafil system, along with 140m of parapet guttering detailing, and a new roof terrace area.

Nigel Drysdale, Technical Advisor at Sika Sarnafil said “We had a great number of details to consider in order to preserve the original look of the building. For example, the architect and conservation officer required a timber mop roll detail to the perimeter of the main roof and the dormers. So all the parties worked closely to achieve a practical and aesthetic solution, which involved creating detailed life-sized models of key elements. This collaborative and applied approach gave the conservation officer confidence that the detailing was sympathetic to the building’s heritage and that’s what we eventually installed.”

The L.A. Hall team overcame various challenges, including working on sloped areas, tight time scales and challenging winter weather, but thanks to the skill of the fitters and the flexibility of the Sarnafil system, the project was finished to an impeccable standard and on time.

All members on the team agree that the newly refurbished roof looks stunning and will defend this iconic building from the elements for many years to come.

For more information please call 01707 394444, or visit http://gbr.sarnafil.sika.com

The roof refurbishment of Kirkgate Market in Leeds is a story of problem solving and partnership. Rising to the challenge, Protech Roofing and Sarnafil Plus delivered an exemplary solution, which allowed the market to remain open throughout.

Europe’s largest covered market, Kirkgate has 800 stalls attracting over 100,000 visitors a week. As part of a £14m refurbishment to improve the market for the stallholders and the public, the leaking roof, extending over both the 1976 and 1981 halls, needed renewing while the building was fully operational. Being such an important and iconic city landmark, viewable from many of the surrounding buildings, attention to detail and aesthetics were also incredibly important to the final result.

The Sarnafil Plus team did the groundwork to secure the tender with the architect, asserting the benefits of a Sarnafil system, Sarnafil Plus technical support and guarantee. Following this, Protech Roofing, a registered Sarnafil contractor, spent many hours visiting the site and attending meetings, gaining the trust of all parties.

Eamonn Cahill, Interserve senior project manager, said “Protech showed outstanding levels of proactive problem solving and integrity throughout the project. The Sika Sarnafil membrane has given the market hall roofs a smart, clean finish with the durability to keep the building weatherproof for years to come.”

The original design specification called for the existing felt waterproofing to be removed back to the metal decking. However, as this would cause massive disruption and with no guarantee of a watertight building. To combat this issue, Protech recommended a mechanically fastened Sarnafil system that could be overlayed onto the existing substrate.

A full Sarnafil Plus survey and moisture mapping revealed the worst areas for water ingress before the project started to assist with planning the work.

The nine-month project saw a team of between eight and 10 people working on the roof through all four seasons, including rain showers and temperatures of over 27°C., without the project or waterproofing ever being compromised.

Sarnavap 5000E SA a cold applied, self-adhesive vapour control layer was used to ensure temporary waterproofing for the market while the roofing work was being carried out. The SarnaTherm insulation boards were mechanically fixed into the existing roof and installation of Sarnafil S327-15EL Light Grey membrane with stainless steel fixings created a durable, weathertight and aesthetically pleasing finish. Sarnafil membranes are certified by the British Board of Agrement to have a service life in excess of 40 years, giving the client confidence in the durability and longevity of the roof.

A further feature of Sarnafil roofing systems that appealed to the client was that the Sarnafil S327-15EL Light Grey membrane is cold applied – welded together using hot air rather than with a naked flame. The system can be used without restrictions as it meets the fire performance requirements of BS476-Part 3:2004 and BS EN 13501-5:2005. This was an important safety consideration as the market had suffered a terrible fire back in 1975.

Six rooflights over 51m long were replaced with SarnaLites, situated close together in rows, making sure that the market continued to benefit from natural daylight. This part of the refurbishment was carried out at night to limit any disruption to the market below.

Sarnafil Plus visited the site regularly and a successful final inspection resulting in the issuing of a Sarnafil Plus guarantee.

For more information on Sika Sarnafil’s products and services, call 01707 394444, email sarnafilroofing@uk.sika.com or visit http://gbr.sarnafil.sika.com.

In a complex new build roofing project that was deemed almost impossible, Contour Roofing stepped up to the challenge with a Sika Sarnafil membrane to achieve truly stunning results.

32 Ewart Grove, a Paul Simon Homes residential development minutes from Wood Green tube station, required a high-performance roof with a striking aesthetic result to match the contemporary luxury flats within. Located in a prominent position at a fork in a road, the roof can be seen when travelling up to the building, as well as from the upper floors of surrounding buildings.

With its extremely intricate design, including two barrel roofs and a large, unique triangulated tower at the front, the project presented a real challenge. Originally the specification for the 400sq m area called for a metal roof but the cost implications of this meant that another solution was needed, and fast.

It was thought that such a complex roof design could not be done, especially with the time and budget available. However Jonathan Woods, director at Contour Roofing, alongside senior contracts manager, Lee Clift, sought to prove that the roof could indeed be covered using a high quality single ply membrane, if the correct product and level of expertise were applied.

Jonathan and Lee met with the architect and the director of Paul Simon Homes to discuss amending the roofing specification. Jonathan explained: “With our previous experience of Sika Sarnafil products, we knew that we could get the perfect finish within budget. In partnership with Sika Sarnafil we quickly presented a new bespoke specification; an adhered system using Sarnafil G410-15ELF Lead Grey with a polyester fleece backing as the main roof sheet for a flawless result and Sarnafil G410-15EL Lead Grey for all the detail work flashings.”

The installation was very challenging, with various shapes, details, upstands and intricate sections to cover.

Lee added: “Working closely with the carpenter, the plywood deck had to be spot on to make sure the membrane could be laid smartly and correctly. Absolute attention to detail and skill were required to make sure the membrane was flush with the substrate below. Décor profiles were used to imitate the standing seams of a metal roof, which is what the original designs had envisaged.

“The project really took installation to new frontiers and pushed the boundaries of what can be achieved in roofing.”

Sikalastic was used for the guttering when the space was just too tight for single ply, demonstrating the compatibility between Sika’s various roofing products. Both the Sika Sarnafil and Sika Liquid Plastics systems were awarded a 20 year guarantee.

Carly Tan, quantity surveyor, Paul Simon Homes, said: “We didn’t think this project could be done within the budget, but Contour assured us that they could take on the challenge with single ply. No one else would even try.

“The roof is unique and when I saw the end results on a site visit I was really impressed with the finish. The Sika Sarnafil membrane looks very smart and mirror the metal look we originally wanted. The skill of Contour is obvious in the results. It meets our requirements perfectly, matching the luxury feel we wanted to achieve throughout the building.”

The project impressed the judges of the upcoming NFRC UK Roofing Awards and has been shortlisted in the Single Ply category. The winners will be announced in May.

For more information on Sika Sarnafil’s products and services, call 01707 394444, email sarnafilroofing@uk.sika.com or visit http://gbr.sarnafil.sika.com.