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Heritage Roofing
Heritage roofing - maintaining our iconic buildings
The UK is home to some of the most iconic buildings in the world, from stunning churches and cathedrals to historic stately homes. Each and every one of these remarkable feats of architecture requires regular maintenance to ensure they remain in the very best condition, allowing them to be enjoyed for generations.
Cathedral Care
Restoration and upkeep of cathedrals
There are some 42 Anglican cathedrals in the UK, not to mention 20 or so Catholic cathedrals. Cathedrals form the most important collection of historic buildings in England. The largest and most ancient are internationally famous, the smallest are usually among the most significant buildings in their region and even the most recent are architectural masterpieces.
Master Craftsmen
Championing our heritage with modern craftsmanship
Twenty years ago, English Heritage (now Historic England) published its first-ever Register of Buildings at Risk across England, which featured nearly 2,000 buildings and monuments that were ‘neglected, broken and unloved’. Recently Historic England was delighted to announce that over two-thirds of those buildings were now safe, in both urban and rural areas right across the country.
Traditional Lime
Lime: it’s better for buildings – and for the environment
It is now fairly well known that cement is not good for old buildings and that lime mortar should be used. But why? What are the advantages and what are the disadvantages? In order to begin to answer those questions it is necessary to understand the nature of traditional building, the process by which buildings used to be built, and how it differs from modern construction, the process by which we build today.
Audio Visual
Audio visual equipment in church buildings
This guidance is issued by the Church Buildings Council under section 55(1)(d) of the Dioceses, Mission and Pastoral Measure 2007. As it is statutory guidance, it must be considered with great care. The standards of good practice set out in the guidance should not be departed from unless the departure is justified by reasons that are spelled out clearly, logically and convincingly.
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CRE Events
After the Midlands, onward to Milton Keynes
"CRE Midlands reminded me of the giddy days when it first began – the venue was packed with exhibitors and visitors and there was a busy atmosphere. The whole thing looked great."
Insurance
You need to ensure that reasonable precautions are in place at your church to keep it safe for those who use it. To do this, you need to think about what might cause harm to people.
You will then need to decide if the precautions already in place are adequate. If they are not, you may need to identify further action to prevent any danger. When done formally, this is known as a risk assessment.
Church Maintenance
Church maintenance and repair: Calendar of Care
Just as prevention is always better than cure, maintenance is preferable to major repairs. But, such repairs may not always be avoidable. Church Care offers a monthly guide in our coming issues Starting in Spring
We can help you understand the common problems and areas that need your special attention, and give you tips for regular maintenance schemes.
Pest Control
Michael Palin warns of pest threat to churches
Michael Palin is supporting the future of the UK’s historic churches and chapels with a voiceover for a new animated film. The 80 second animation, produced for the National Churches Trust, highlights why churches are some of the nation’s best loved buildings.
Town Halls
The history of the great Victorian Town Halls of Northern England
From industrial squalor to civic pride, the story behind some of the most impressive buildings of the North involve a unique mix of economics, grand designs and noble sentiments within communities.
Lead Roofing
Lead is one of the oldest materials in the roofing industry and is still commonly used throughout the world today.
Lead roofing is a traditional roofing method which has been used in the industry for hundreds of years, and is therefore proven to be extremely reliable. Lead roofing, and sand-cast lead, in particular is ideal for old buildings such as churches or historical renovations, whereas milled lead roofing is a mass-produced alternative, used for precision and accuracy in homes and commercial buildings alike.
Lightning Protection
When lightning strikes are you protected against this act of God?
The issue of lightning protection in churches is one that has exercised this publication for many years. In this four-part series of spotlights on the issue we will be revisiting various aspects of the subject, beginning with an overview of current thinking.
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Brand new ‘Grade One-listed’ building is in line for Roofing Award
The project to install the roofs onto seven new houses at Stanmer House in Brighton was an unusual one, to say the least. The houses are built on the existing foundations of the old kitchen block at the 18th-century Palladian-style mansion, which was demolished when the repairs were deemed impracticable.
However, the building materials and the style of the new build has to match the previous building as they form part of the Grade One-listed property, together with the main house, which was built in 1723-4.
Known as The Hive
The New Worcester Library and History Centre was an innovative partnership development between Worcester County Council and the University of Worcester to create Europe’s first fully integrated public and university library.
Known as The Hive, the dramatic building features seven roof cones for natural stack ventilation and is clad in 16,000 TECU® gold shingles. These are produced by KME and more information is available at http://www.kme.com/en/roofing
Safety in Roofing Awards 2013
The National Federation of Roofing Contractors today announced the members who have received recognition for their health and safety practices in this year’s Safety in Roofing Awards.
The awards have been in operation for a number of years and were instigated as a way to promote the positive attitude to health and safety by NFRC member companies. Trade members are invited and encouraged to enter information on their health and safety training and accident statistics collected during the course of the year.
Unique roofing material named finalist in roofing awards
Not far from Stamford in Lincolnshire is Collyweston, a traditional village in the heart of England. It is also the source of Collyweston ‘stone slate’, not a true slate but a fissile limestone formed in the Jurassic period, some 150 million years ago.
The stone has been mined in the area since roman times and was used extensively in the local area and on some prominent buildings around the country until the growth of the railways in the late 19th century led to the decline in the quarrying industry.
National Funeral Exibition 2013
After what has been hailed as the most successful funeral exhibition ever held in the UK, NFE are now well advanced in planning the 2013 show.
They are theming the show around the traditional Circus, providing exhibitors with an excellent opportunity to develop some exciting ideas for stand design. The NFE Big Top Bar will incorporate circus style entertainment, which will have extra attractions on Family Day.
Roofers in line to be made kings of the castle
When tenders were being submitted for the restoration of Lowther Castle in Cumbria, it made sense when considering the roofing contract to approach the only company in the county on the NFRC’s National Heritage Roofing Contractor Register – Cumbria Roofing North West Ltd.
In fact all three companies bidding for the project did just that and when Patton Construction from Ballymena in Ireland was awarded the contract it was Cumbria Roofing they employed.
Darlington company clinches high profile contracts
Stone Technical Services has further secured its position as a leader in its field by winning several major contracts in Yorkshire.
Thanks to its reputation as one of the UK’s top high level and general maintenance and restoration companies, Stone has been appointed by English Heritage to carry out condition surveys to two historic mills and preservation works at an important ruin, celebrated by the well-known artist JMW Turner.
Zinc: It's not just for multivitamins anymore!
Zinc is not for the faint of heart. The key is learning proper installation techniques. If you are a metal roofing contractor scheduled to work on a job where zinc has been specified, do you a) cry because you’ve heard horror stories about how difficult it is to work with or b) grab a Kleenex, get yourself and your crew trained, and find a new material to master?
York roofing firm's double success
A York family roofing company has double reason to celebrate after reaching the finals of two prestigious national competitions.
Geoff Neal Roofing (GNR) Limited is one of only 6 UK roofing companies to reach the finals of the ‘Specialists Awards’, run by Construction News and the National Specialists Contractors Council to highlight the vital role of specialist contractors in construction.
St Johns Church gets 3 Zone, Energy Efficient Heating System
St Johns Church contacted HeatinGlobal with the task of installing a full new system for the church. The church community room was used on a daily basis and the heating system needed splitting into three zones as the boiler also had to provide instant hot water to a well used kitchen and toilet area.
Darlington company creates opportunity for Teesside University graduate
Darlington-based high level and general maintenance experts, Stone Technical Services, have strengthened their sales and marketing team as they put plans in place to grow further in 2013.
For the first time since establishing 15 years’ ago, the business has recruited an in-house marketing specialist.
Specialist Equipment For Church Heating Systems
HeatinGlobal often install high energy efficiency boilers in churches that have very low running cost. As with the old cast iron floor standing boilers the cost to run and maintain them become un-affordable and sometimes un-repairable.
Canterbury Cathedral
This contract covered the replacement of 450 square metres of lead on the Cathedral’s Southeast Transept roof. The contract win continued Norman & Underwood’s proud history of restoration work at the Cathedral.
All Saints Church, North Moreton
This Grade 1 listed church dates from the 13th Century and is constructed from limestone, flint and oak. It is best known for the stained glass window in the St Nicholas or Stapleton chapel, which is among the earliest and finest in the country.
FPDC Awards win for Hayles and Howe Ltd
Hayles and Howe are delighted to have been awarded the 2012 Internal Plastering Award by the FPDC (Federation of Plastering and Drywall Contractors) for restoration works at the British Armed Forces’ Chaplaincy Centre, Amport House, Andover.
Georgian Farmhouse gets the Ventrolla touch
Sash window renovation and repair experts Ventrolla have once again weaved its magic on a beautiful Grade II listed building, freeing a family farmhouse from their tired and draughty windows.
Wimbrick House in Ormskirk, Lancashire, had fallen into disrepair and was in dire need of some TLC.
Advice from NE building experts amid winter weather worries
North East general and specialist maintenance experts, Stone Technical Services, are warning business and home owners to ensure any weather damage is repaired promptly, after a surge in demand for their services.
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