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Case Study

R-MER SEAM Roof Replacement Enhances Safety and Efficiency

Garland UK Technical Manager
Jordan Thomas

Approved Contractor
The Complete Roofing Company

Garland System

R-MER SEAM

Sector

Education

Single-Point Guarantee

20 Years

Improved U-value

0.18

Ysgol Llwyn Yr Eos in Aberystwyth urgently required a roof replacement to tackle serious safety and thermal issues. The existing roof was fragile, inefficient, and exposed to the elements, endangering students and staff. In partnership with Ceredigion County Council, Garland UK delivered a custom waterproofing solution featuring the robust and thermally efficient R-MER SEAM system.

Challenge

The roof was in a critical state. Due to vandalism, missing copper sheeting had left 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.

Solution

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 down 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 the application of the R-MER SEAM, a low-profile steel standing seam system with a secret fix. The lightweight system allowed for efficient installation, where the steel panels effortlessly clicked into place, delivering a seamless and highly durable finish. Its colour-matched steel coating and sleek appearance retained the aesthetic appeal of the original copper roof while offering superior security 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 transparency ensured confidence in the quality of the work being carried out.

Outcome

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 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 R-MER SEAM’s close aesthetic match to copper. The modern design complemented the school’s architecture while offering superior vandal resistance, ensuring long-term protection.

Upon completion, Garland UK conducted a rigorous quality inspection before issuing their industry-leading 20-year Single-Point Guarantee, assuring the roof’s durability and performance for decades to come.

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 R-MER SEAM system, we not only resolved the immediate safety concerns but also significantly improved the school’s energy performance.

Jordan Thomas

Technical Manager, Garland UK

R-MER SEAM Roof Replacement Enhances Safety and Efficiency

Garland Technical Manager

Jordan Thomas

Approved Contractor

The Complete Roofing Company

Technical Manager Jordan Thomas collaborated with Ceredigion County Council to deliver a safe and thermally efficient roofing solution for a vandal-damaged school in West Wales.

Quick Facts

Garland System

Dura-Coat

Sector

Residential

Project Saving Cost

£900,000

The storm exposed critical weaknesses in the original roof design, which had failed to cope with the site’s wind load demands. The closure meant immediate loss of revenue, reduced access to community leisure facilities, and growing urgency to reopen.

The replacement roof required complex engineering to match the building’s 40 metre wide dual-curved structure. Standing seam sheets up to 22 metres in length had to be precision-engineered off-site, with escorted delivery, timed road closures, and careful sequencing of work.

With only a small car park as the site compound, storage, crane operations, and contractor access needed meticulous planning. Moisture protection for the exposed structure was critical throughout, with temporary coverings installed until the new system could be sealed.

Garland UK Technical Manager Rob Wall specified the R-MER LOC standing seam metal system, designed for storm resilience, thermal efficiency, and long service life in marine climates. Its penetration-free, zip-free seam design enabled faster installation and allowed for thermal movement without panel distortion.

The system was tailored to the building’s complex geometry, with 22 metre top sheet runs and 18 metre lower runs. Approved contractor, Future Roof Leeds, carried out the works, reusing the existing perforated aluminium liner where possible to reduce waste and disruption.

A high-performance, foil-lined vapour control layer was installed, along with upgraded insulation and a breather membrane suitable for coastal exposure. Acoustic infills were also integrated to maintain internal sound control, enhancing the original system’s acoustic performance.

The 1,200 sqm roofing system was completed on time and within budget, restoring full functionality to SC2 Water Park and preventing further loss of income. Garland UK’s Roof Asset Management Programme (RAMP) now provides the Council with a complete digital record of the project, including inspection reports, guarantees, and maintenance guidance, giving estates teams full visibility for ongoing asset care.

Covered by a 30 year Single-Point Guarantee for design, materials, and workmanship, the Council has complete assurance that any issues will be resolved swiftly, without dispute or additional cost.

The reopening of SC2 Water Park has reinstated a much-loved leisure venue for residents and visitors, supporting local wellbeing, tourism, and economic activity. The storm-resilient design means fewer disruptions and reduced maintenance, and reliable year-round availability, even in challenging weather.

Robin Jones, Senior Building Surveyor at Denbighshire County Council, commented,

“The level of service from Garland UK has been first-class from start to finish. Rob and the team gave us confidence at every stage, from design to handover. The quality of the roof and the management of such a tricky site exceeded our expectations.”

Rob Wall, Technical Manager at Garland UK, added,

“This was a demanding brief in a harsh environment. The combination of curved geometry, extreme sheet lengths and complex logistics called for precision planning and strong collaboration. We’re proud to have supported the Council in getting this key venue back up and running.”