Walthamstow continues to be the centre of a large-scale modernisation and renewal strategy ‘The Black Horse Lane Action Plan’. The plan aims to ‘attract a new generation of designers, artists and start-up entrepreneurs’ (Source: Homes & Property: 2018).

Taylor Wimpey is one, of several developers, working to turn the former industrial area of Blackhorse Lane into a vibrant community. As a part of the ambitious regeneration, Taylor Wimpey’s Eclipse development has delivered 500 one, two and three bedroom apartments.

The development incorporates two six-storey blocks, that are connected with innovative green roof spaces, featuring both affordable and private housing. On phase three of the development, Taylor Wimpey needed a supplier and roofing contractor team that could reliably respond to the demand of delivering system installations swiftly. As this project contributed to the areas action plan and the demand for much needed new homes.

T & T Roofing Limited, a Langley Approved Contractor, was approached directly by Taylor Wimpey to manage and install all roof works and finishes across the development. Langley were then asked to complete a comprehensive roof specification that incorporated the proposed design for the two blocks, including technical drawings created by their in-house design team.

As building pressure continues for national housebuilders to meet the targeted number of new build homes increases year on year, a requirement of this project was to specify a system that was quick and efficient to install. To match this requirement, Langley specified their HM-40 Paratech Hot Melt Roofing System, which was approved by all stakeholders.

Speaking on the decision to choose Langley’s flat roof solution, Ryan Gow, Senior Site Manager at Taylor Wimpey, commented: “The huge scale of the Blackhorse Lane development presented several challenges that we needed to overcome. For the roofing, we needed speed of installation without compromising quality and durability. We were impressed with Langley’s HM-40 Paratech Hot-Melt Roofing System performance.

"As this was the third and final phase of the development, space was a critical factor, it was therefore important that deliveries were closely managed to meet the tight build programme and to avoid hand over delays.

"T & T Roofing Limited with Langley’s support ensured that this was always the case, so that delays never occurred.” Unlike other hot melt solutions which tend to use fleeces, Langley’s innovative HM-40 Paratech Hot-Melt System incorporates a reinforcement mesh allowing the system to be rolled out and thus making installation easier, quicker and efficient.

Thomas Peebles, Managing Director at T & T Roofing Limited commented: “The features of the flat roof system provide a seamless, issue-free, roof installation, with rapid install times causing minimal disruption. Langley’s technical team is always on-hand to provide assistance when necessary, working collaboratively to guarantee a consistent and high-quality installation."

The HM-40 Hot Melt Roofing system has been specially designed for new-build projects, particularly where a fast install and fully bonded system is required. As such, the solution is primarily used for concrete substrates, but can also be used on plywood and for a warm or cold roof configuration.

As well as offering quick installation, the inverted solution can be used for weatherproofing for green roofs, terraces and podium decks. Additionally, when installed by an Approved Contractor such as T & T Roofing Limited, the system provides up to 40 years durability. To this end, the system also meets NHBC Technical Standards Chapter 7.1 for roofs and balconies and its performance has been certified by the British Board of Agrément (BBA).

The main challenge faced on this project was the extremely tight programme specified by Taylor Wimpey and no on-site compound to store roofing components. T & T Roofing Limited had to work across various locations simultaneously to complete the works on time.

Working very closely with Taylor Wimpey, they communicated daily to ensure all deadlines were met, allowing those that had purchased a new home to move in on time. The deliveries were ordered and delivered in build sequence to ensure only materials being used immediately were on-site due to the minimal manoeuvrable space.

Once the waterproofing was installed and the roofs finished with both artificial grass and landscaped green roofs they were electronically leak tested, a requirement from Taylor Wimpey, to which the roof installations passed. Ryan Gow concluded: “We were thoroughly pleased with the waterproofing solution and how efficiently it could be installed.

"The 40-year warranty that is included to cover both the materials and workmanship, provides us and the new homeowners at the development with peace of mind and the quality of construction we pride ourselves on.”

Work at Blackhorse Lane is now complete. T & T Roofing Limited was awarded Langley’s Contractor of the Month in March 2019, for its work on the project based on the extremely high standard of collaboration and installation.