***HERO
It was difficult to see the true extent of the damage from the floor, the whole building needed to be scaffolded from inside to provide safe access for trades. Watch this space as Stage 1 of this project moves toward completion with the installation of new windows to the high level of the building and it becomes weatherproof once more.
The timber floor frame was not capable of holding the weight of steel scaffolding. Lightweight Aluminium Quickstage scaffolding was sourced to provide the required access.
All existing timbers were cleaned of char, it was a dirty job but gave us an accurate picture of just how much of the original sections were left in good order. You can see here the Trusses and Purlins being cleaned by the man in the white suit.
With safe access internally established, we were able to make our first inspection of the ornate ceiling and the structure above it.
We took accurate dimensions to facilitate the off site fabrication of the new steel beams. These were required to support the existing structure, as well as the new.
Windows were accurately dimensioned with sections of the old burned windows cut out to provide Joiners with exact dimensions for their new ‘like for like’ windows
We went below the floor of the building to clarify the construction of the sub floor frame, it was as we expected. What we didn’t expect was to find intact off cuts of almost every profile that will be required to reconstruct the ceiling. A fabulous find!
Blending old and new. The new roof framing had to be designed to work with the old trusses to ensure slate landed precisely into the existing gutters.
Engineering called for stainless steel holding down rods to be chased into the brickwork to a vertical height of 1.5m. On these baseplates, the new steel beams were craned into position and site welded.
It wasn’t until we started the new roof frame that a subtle break in the roof pitch was noted from the remaining stepped flashing. We incorporated the step in the roof to keep it consistent with the original roof shape.
With the new ridge beam in place we reflect on the progress in the area and just how important the heritage of this building really is.
With the new roof frame nearing completion, we’re keen to see the recycled Welsh slate arrive to site.
Copper was selected for roof flashings and vents, even though the original material was galvanised Tin, the Architect wanted to make doubly sure that it would last well for the next 200 years, good call!
Slate delivered in good time. The handling is significant and that’s just to get it on site, loading to the roof is next, once our frame has passed inspection.
Structurally we found that while there was some charring, the four trusses were generally still sound and offering some support to the existing frame. It was agreed that they would be retained as an historical record, and the new would be built in and around the
It’s always a great day, the day the roof goes on, this job is no exception! Reclaimed slate was the right choice for this project, this roof is looking fabulous already!