Pitched Roofing Award for SSQ & Martin-Brooks collaboration

An outstanding installation that saw SSQ’s celebrated Riverstone phyllite transform a Sheffield primary school has won ‘Best use of slate for a commercial project’ in the coveted Pitched Roofing Awards. 

The annual event, hosted by the publisher of RCI Magazine, shines a spotlight on the sector’s most exceptional suppliers, projects and installation businesses.

At Stannington Infant School, SSQ collaborated with Martin-Brooks, one of the region’s premier roofing contractors, with extensive expertise in refurbishing historic buildings.

The company installed SSQ’s Riverstone phyllite in diminishing courses and random widths, using the Proctor Roofshield breathable membrane.

It was chosen because it provided an excellent match for the building’s existing Westmorland green slate, while offering superb robustness, longevity and overall performance.

The material was laid over the breathable membrane and 50x25mm battens with a minimum 75mm headlap, then secured with copper nails.

The valley details were finished with open lead valleys, and close mitred cuts to the hip.

Avoiding disruption

While site access was fairly easy, the work had to be carefully phased to avoid disrupting lessons, keep students safe, and not interfere with the day-to-day operation of the school.

This entailed creating safe routes for staff and pupils, and carrying out certain work at evenings and weekends.

The roof pitches involved were also fairly steep, with tight spaces between the different roofs.

The project was completed 25% under budget, and school users were so pleased with the results that they held a leaving party for the Martin-Brooks installation team.

Ahmed El-Helw, SSQ Managing Director, comments: “This project was a hugely deserving winner, and exactly the combination of superb products and expert installation that the Pitched Roofing Awards exist to recognise.

“It’s extremely gratifying for us when our material is installed by a team with Martin-Brooks Ltd’s expertise.

“We’re sure the school’s new roof will go on to provide a lifetime of first-class performance, and we look forward to working with Martin-Brooks again in the future.”

If you’d like to learn more about the outstanding range of natural slate and phyllite products SSQ can provide, and their long track record of providing roofs for heritage buildings around the country, visit www.ssqgroup.com.

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