Complete roof replacement scheme for business enterprise centre incorporating thermal performance upgrade to improve energy efficiency and reduce operating costs.
Supporting businesses in Southampton since the 1990s, the New Forest Enterprise Centre is a hub of activity that promotes a community atmosphere for new and small businesses, comprising 37 offices and 34 light industrial workshop spaces. The existing trapezoidal metal roof system was at the end of its life and in a state of disrepair. The factory-bonded coating was peeling away, numerous leaks from penetrations across the site and problematic external drainage had caused gutters to overflow during heavy downpours.
Gable were tasked with providing a waterproofing solution that would eradicate the issues and, importantly, upgrade the thermal efficiency of the buildings to decrease energy consumption and reduce carbon emission for the organisation.
The existing metal roof system would stay in place, and a 4,400m2 R-MER CLAD system was specified for its straightforward installation that would minimise disturbance and choice of finishes and coatings to maintain the building’s existing aesthetics. A vapour control layer was first installed on top of the existing sheet. This was followed by a bar and bracket system to create a void between the inner and outer skin, in which a 140mm glass fibre insulation was installed to improve the overall thermal performance of the buildings. The R-MER CLAD butyl tape to ensure a watertight seal was used at all head and side laps, with fixings to the substructure located in the pan of the profile. Once in place, a new trim line perimeter gutter was installed on all eaves details, including the provision for new downpipes and overflow weirs. The existing wall facades were also replaced to ensure the centre is newly uniform in finish. To complete the refurbishment, the existing solar panels at the site that had been lifted during the works were reinstated once the R-MER CLAD system was in place.
Challenges Faced
The existing roof included numerous intersecting valleys and hip and ridge details that needed careful consideration. The original external gutter design meant that during heavy downfalls, water would often back up the box gutters and enter the buildings via the eaves detail, which was poorly protected. The roof height was increased to allow for new insulation to be installed, which in turn, gave an opportunity to safeguard the perimeter detail from backing up with water in the future. Due to the nature of the site, the New Forest Enterprise Centre needed to remain fully operational at all times, with minimal disturbance to the various businesses and occupants during the project. Gable Projects Ltd and Garland, worked closely to devise a schedule to reduce the impact of works and phased scaffold requirements to service the roof.
Sarah Murray, Manager at the New Forest Enterprise Centre, adds, “We are so pleased with our new roof and have already noticed how much improvement has been made, particularly in this cold snap of weather.”
