When Ysgol Llwyn Yr Eos in Aberystwyth faced severe roofing challenges, Garland UK stepped in to provide a high-performance solution, ensuring the school remained a safe, sustainable, and welcoming environment for students and staff.
Safety risks and thermal inefficiency
The roof was in a critical state. Due to vandalism, missing copper sheeting had left the fibreboard insulation exposed and saturated with moisture. This compromised the roof’s structural integrity, making it unstable and unsafe to access. The risk of collapse into classrooms created an immediate safety hazard.
Thermal inefficiency compounded the problem. The roof failed to regulate indoor temperatures, leaving classrooms cold and uncomfortable in winter. These issues disrupted the learning environment and placed additional strain on heating systems. A rapid solution was needed to address both safety and energy concerns without disrupting school operations.
Budgets were also a consideration, where the cost of a full roof replacement with copper sheeting would not be viable, and an alternative solution was required.
A planned, whole life approach
Garland UK technical manager Jordan Thomas developed a targeted solution to address the roof’s structural dangers and thermal inefficiencies, ensuring safety and long-term performance. Installed by approved contractor, The Complete Roofing Company, the project began with completely removing the damaged roofing materials. Stripping the existing layers to the timber deck eliminated the moisture-saturated insulation and unstable components, creating a secure base for the new system.A vapour control layer was installed to protect the roof from future moisture issues, ensuring the new insulation remained dry and durable over time. High-performance 130mm PIR insulation was added, significantly enhancing the building’s thermal efficiency and addressing the issues of fluctuating indoor temperatures.
The final stage involved applying a low-profile standing seam system designed for long service life and enhanced security. The lightweight solution supported efficient installation within a live school environment, reducing programme risk while delivering a robust, low-maintenance finish aligned with long-term estate planning objectives. Its colour matched steel coating retained the aesthetic appeal of the original copper roof while offering superior vandal resistance and long-term performance.
Throughout the project, temporary waterproofing measures ensured the school remained operational without disruption. Garland UK’s Roof Asset Management Programme (RAMP) provided stakeholders with real-time updates, detailed progress reports and photographic documentation. This structured asset data supports forward maintenance planning, lifecycle forecasting and informed capital allocation across the wider education estate.
Securing long-term performance
The roof replacement transformed Ysgol Llwyn Yr Eos into a safe, efficient, and visually appealing environment. The structurally fragile roof was replaced with a durable standing seam metal R-MER SEAM system, eliminating safety risks and restoring confidence in the building. Improved thermal performance to a 0.18 U-value provided a stable indoor climate, reducing heating costs and enhancing comfort for students and staff year-round.
The council mitigated unnecessary costs thanks to the system’s close aesthetic match to copper. The modern design complemented the school’s architecture while offering superior vandal resistance, ensuring long-term protection.
Jordan Thomas adds, “When faced with the urgent challenges at Ysgol Llwyn Yr Eos, we knew a bespoke solution was vital. By replacing the fragile roof with the thermally efficient system, we not only resolved the immediate safety concerns but also significantly improved the school’s energy performance.”
Upon completion, Garland UK conducted a rigorous quality inspection before issuing its industry-leading 20 year Single-Point Guarantee, providing long-term performance and budget certainty for the school.
