Ash & Lacy create waves at top of the class


A new special needs resource base at St Thomas More RC High School in Denton, Manchester is featuring a striking, standing seam waveform roof supplied by Ash & Lacy Building Systems. Convex curved to a radius of 20.5 metres and then concave curved to a radius of 16 metres, the 0.9 plain mill aluminium Ashzip sheets were manufactured to satisfy the complex roof design by Valent Roofing in conjunction with main contractors HH Smith. A walkable liner pre-curved to required radii was also supplied, together with the Ashgrid spacer support system, which forms an integral part of the company's standing seam roofing package.

Ashzip is available in aluminium; steel, stainless steel and copper in cover widths of 300mm and 400mm. Two mobile production units provide nationwide coverage and offer the option of manufacture in a factory environment or on site (depending on sheet lengths required and site access). Weighing just 7 tonnes and complying fully with the stringent HSE requirements, the mobile production units can be suspended by crane for portable eaves level rolling. Ashzip standing seam roofing sheets will self-curve to a radius of between 40-55 metres depending on material, gauge and profile width. To achieve convex and concave curves to tighter radii, sheets can be pre-curved on-site, or in a factory environment using mobile curving machines. To complete the range of options Ashzip can be taper roll formed to create a radial roof on plan and provide an attractive architectural feature.

Where Ashzip differs from other standing seam roofing systems is in the philosophy adopted by Ash & Lacy, which is based on offering a total roof envelope solution from a single source. This not only ensures compatibility between the individual components but it also recognises that the importance of effective perimeter detailing is often overlooked, when it is in fact as critical as the roof and wall cladding system itself. Badly designed and installed details can have a major impact on the overall performance of a building and can seriously affect the aesthetic properties both on a short and long-term basis.

Commenting on the selection of Ashzip Robert Connal of Valent Roofing said:

"We decided to use Ashzip for this project because Ash & Lacy were able to manufacture the standing seam sheets to meet the design requirements for the tight radii waveform curves".

Ash & Lacy Building Systems are one of the UKs leading manufacturers and distributors of cladding products and accessories to the construction industry. The extensive product range includes the industry standard Ashgrid spacer support system and the Ashjack lightweight structural frame for flat to pitch roof conversions. The company also offers a comprehensive range of Ashfab bespoke fabrications, Ashflow rainwater goods, Ashfix fasteners & accessories together with the Ashtech rainscreen cladding range.