Roofshield® - Kings College

The roofs of the magnificent historic buildings of King’s College Cambridge are being renovated and protected with the combination of beautiful Collyweston Slate and Roofshield® membrane.

Roofshield has long been recognised as one of the highest performing roofing membrane solutions, providing a pitched roof underlay, which is both air and vapour permeable.

The re-roofing of Bodley’s Court situated alongside the river Cam is led by awardwinning architectural practice Donald Insall Associates specialists in the care, repair and adaptation of historic buildings. The buildings, which date back over 100 years needed re-slating.

For more than 600 years Collyweston slate has been protecting buildings in the region. After half a century one of the country’s oldest slate mines on the outskirts of the Northamptonshire village of Collyweston has been re-opened by Collyweston roofing specialist Claude N. Smith and its distinctive limestone slate tiles are now adorning the impressive buildings at King’s.

Donald Insall Associates specified Roofshield, the renowned pitched roof underlay, for the roof refurbishment. The roof structures of historic buildings can be complex in nature and demand careful consideration of moisture management, and condensation control. Many vapour and air permeable underlays use an airtight VP film layer to achieve their performance, whilst Roofshield’s patented SMS (Spunbond Meltblown Spunbond) structure allows high levels of airflow, in addition to the transport of moisture vapour, making the formation of condensation in the roof space virtually impossible. It has an extremely high degree of vapour permeability, as well as air permeability, so will still perform in conditions in which air tight alternatives will not.

The high performance of Roofshield, backed by two BBA Certificates, has been successfully used in preserving and protecting the fabric of a wide range of historic and listed buildings for more than 21 years.

Nigel Smith, Director of Claude N. Smith comments on the use of Roofshield. “Roofshield was chosen by the architects as they required materials of the highest specification for the project. It has been excellent to work with, is exceptionally strong and durable and its superior air permeability ensures comprehensive protection for the historic college buildings.”

The one year project is due to be completed in October 2019, with additional projects confirmed for the re-roofing of Christ’s College and Clare College.