Case Study- Kara Street

 

Project:              Kara St

 

Address:            Kara Street, Salford, M5 6GG

 

Architects:        BDP

 

Contractor:      Watson Homes

 

Roof size:           366m2

 

Roof system:     Alumasc Renolit Alkorplan Membrane, Dark Grey, Mech Fixed, Alumasc FF Insulation

 

Installation:        Mechanically Fixed

 

 

The Kara Street development was an eco-friendly housing scheme delivered across two brownfield sites off Kara Street and Liverpool Street in Seedley South. The scheme included a mixture of two, three and four-bedroom homes as well as one and two-bedroom apartments. More than 90 of these new dwellings were developed for social housing, affordable rent, shared ownership, and outright sale.

 

Designed with sustainability in mind, the properties were created to offer a modern, energy-efficient living environment for families in Salford. Each home incorporated a range of eco-friendly features including electric vehicle charging points, dedicated bike storage, low-energy systems and bright, naturally lit spaces.

 

 

Here at Enviroply Roofing, we were delighted to work again with Watson Homes on this development, where we installed an Alumasc roofing system, designed with performance and longevity in mind.

 

 

The roofing build-up began with the installation of the Alumasc self-adhesive vapour control layer. This polyester-reinforced, modified bitumen membrane, featuring an aluminium core, delivers a high level of resistance to water vapour. It forms a robust barrier designed to prevent moisture ingress and reduce the risk of interstitial condensation within the roof build-up.

 

 

Following the installation of the vapour control layer, we fitted 200mm Recticel foil-faced PIR insulation. This high-performance insulation is designed to reduce heat loss and improve the thermal efficiency of each building. The boards were mechanically fixed in accordance with specification requirements, with joints closely butted to provide a secure and stable substrate for the waterproofing membrane.

 

 

To complete the system, we installed the Alumasc Renolit Alkorplan Dark Grey single-ply membrane. The membrane was mechanically fixed across the roof areas, ensuring reliable long-term performance. As a durable thermoplastic membrane, Alkorplan delivers excellent waterproofing, UV resistance and overall weather protection, forming a resilient and long-lasting finish for the entire roofing system.

 

 

The detailing and finishing works were carried out to ensure that the roof achieved the required standards of weathertightness, drainage performance and long-term resilience.

 

 

Perimeter areas were secured using Alkorplus Peel Stop Bar, fixed mechanically at all roof edge conditions, changes of plane and upstand locations.

 

Upstands were formed using Alkorplan membrane flashings, welded to ensure a continuous waterproof layer rising to the required minimum height.

 

Pre-coated Alkormetal trims (0.6mm galvanised steel laminated with PVC) were fabricated and installed to create robust drip edges and terminations.

 

Membrane laps at perimeters extended at least 50mm beyond fixings and were fully hot-air welded.

 

 

All side and end laps were welded using hot-air equipment, achieving a minimum weld width of 40mm.

 

Weld seams were pressure-rolled and later inspected using a seam probe to identify any imperfections.

 

Where standing water might accumulate, such as around gutters and outlets, Alkorplan Seam Sealer was applied for added protection.

 

 

Pipe penetrations were sealed with pre-formed sleeves created from Alkorplan membrane and mechanically fixed.

 

These were welded to the main roof membrane with appropriate overlaps and finished with protective weathering collars where required.

 

 

Alkorplus Lightning Conductor Pads, internal/external corners, and separation fleece at timber interfaces were installed as required by the specification.

 

Rainwater outlets were installed in accordance with BS EN 12056-3, ensuring free drainage.

 

All completed surfaces were left smooth, fully welded, weatherproof and ready for final inspection.

 

 

The development at Kara Street was completed to a high standard, fully meeting the requirements for the guarantee. As with many large-scale projects, the programme ran longer than originally anticipated. However, this provided valuable time for continued collaboration and enabled a carefully coordinated roofing installation that met all technical expectations and quality standards.