PLANS to refurbish the roofs of historic buildings within Durham University have been submitted to Durham County Council.
The plans refer to Deane Room, Education Centre, Stair Tower, and Wolfson Gallery, at Palace Green Library, in Palace Green, Durham, consisting of removing battens, felt and stone slates, stone cleaning by hand brushing, installation of new breather membrane, battens and stone slates, re-fixing of stones and replaced where necessary.
Also, replacement of leadwork and cleaning of stone parapets and copings with complete lightning protection scheme.
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Howarth Litchfield have been appointed by Durham University to provide architectural services for the re-roofing of the Palace Green Library and Education and Learning Centre.
Palace Green Library and the Education and Learning Centre sit within the World Heritage Site between Durham Cathedral to the south and Durham Castle to the north.
The building has suffered from various leaks over time and due to an unsuccessful roof repair in 2010, this has become a critical repair requirement.
The intention is to fix any ongoing issues, and thus protect the precious interiors and contents, and extend the buildings life into the future. It forms part of Durham University’s NRRP works across its estate.
The roofs in question are primarily stone flags with a very small section of slates on the Education and Learning Centre roof. The intention is to carefully remove all the stone flags, the battens / counterbattens and the membrane (unsuitable for bats) beneath.
These will be hand brush cleaned, replaced if necessary, graded and set aside for re-fixing on suitable battens and breathable membrane/felt.
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The works to repair the roofs over Wolfson, Deane Room, Stairtower and the Education Centre are now critical to eliminate ingress of water and extend the life of these important buildings well into the future.
The traditional method of fixing with oak pegs has been specified however there is an option to use wide headed copper nails if it is found that the traditional method has failed in the past.
This will be determined when the roof is stripped and will need to be in agreement with the roofing contractor and the Conservation Officer.
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