Muir Homes, Blairs Royal Deeside, Aberdeen

The impressive turrets on this stunningly designed Muir Homes development exemplify Forster Roofing’s high level of slating craftsmanship.

The exclusive 44 home development on the banks of the River Dee include 10 homes with conical turret features. 888 Cupa Galicia slates were expertly cut and installed onto the turrets of the Cairness house type. A further 744 were installed on the Dornoch and 456 on the Balmoral.

The main roofs of the homes were tiled with Mini Stonewold mockbond Charcoal and Farmhouse Red concrete tiles.

Having worked with them for a number of years, Muir Homes selected Forster Roofing for this project as a result of their experience and reliability in delivering sensitively finished projects and the high calibre of their slating workmanship.

The high quality finish, demonstrates Forster Roofing’s competence in delivering projects of this nature.

CALA Homes, St Mary’s Gardens, Perth

The beautifully crafted homes on this exclusive CALA development provided the ideal setting for Forster Roofing to showcase their exceptional clay tiling skills.

Sandtoft clay double pantiles and thin edged slate look-a-like clay tiles were specified to create a natural finish, adding to the beauty of these distinguished homes.

Forster covered the roofs of this 19 home development, which included the 190m² Ramsay and 180m² Lewis house types. The works involved extensive detailing. Features on several of the house types were finished with Sandtoft clay plain tiles to further enhance the beauty of the homes.

Forster Roofing have been roofing CALA homes since the 90’s and this stand out development which required enhanced clay tiling skills and labour intensity, exemplifies the high standard of workmanship that Forster deliver on all their roofs.

The Site Manager was subsequently awarded an NHBC Pride in the Job award for this development.

BMI, Kings Park Hospital, Stirling

This sensitive hospital roof renewal project provided Forster Roofing with the perfect platform to demonstrate its workmanship, communication and project management skills.

The Stirling-based single storey Kings Park Hospital is part of the BMI Healthcare group, one of Britain’s leading providers of independent healthcare.

Monier Redland was initially commissioned by BMI to carry out an inspection of the hospital’s roof and present a report detailing its findings.  The report highlighted significant problems with the integrity of the roof and a complete roof-renewal was recommended.

Forster’s excellent reputation for managing and delivering sensitive roof renewal projects, coupled with its strong commitment to working to high standards of health and safety was considered instrumental in the appointment, following tender.

Following contract award, early contact with the client was essential, to determine key contacts, critical dates and project success factors.  A comprehensive pre-start meeting was facilitated by Forster, to reassure key hospital staff of the limited impact of the works on their day-to-day activity.

A critical success factor was the continuous operation of the hospital during the delivery of the contract.  Works to the roof above the hospital’s two operating theatres were limited to weekends to ensure procedures could continue uninterrupted.

Forster covered the hospital’s 2,500m2 roof area with approximately 27,500 Redland 50 Double Roman interlocking concrete roof tiles.  In addition lead flashings, a small area of Sarnafil flat roof area, fascias, soffits, gutters and downpipes were replaced by the Forster team.

Forster’s project management team ensured the contract ran smoothly, within budget, despite the working time limitations.

Muiredge Primary School, Uddingston

As part of South Lanarkshire Council’s primary schools modernisation programme, Muiredge Primary School was scheduled to be extensively refurbished and extended to provide a modern learning environment for children.

After a successful tender process, Forster Roofing were appointed to carry out the slating works on this Grade B listed building. This was a special project, as it is a historical building with special periodic features and required complete stripping and re-slating of the main roof in order to help comply with the new building regulations.

In addition to the refurbishment works, an extension was added, which was carefully designed to remain in keeping with the periodic features of the original listed building. Forster Roofing managed the integration well between the roof-renewal and new build elements of this project.

The 2,100m² roof area was skilfully slated with approximately 52 tonnes of Burlington Blue Grey slate. Careful planning of the new slate positions was carried out, in line with Listed Building Planning requirements. The high quality finish, although simple and refined in appearance, demonstrates our competence in delivering projects of this nature. In addition, we carried out lead works, installation of new roof lights, cast iron gutters, flashings and downpipes.

Working together with other contractors, the building now complies with the new building regulations. The client was delighted with the workmanship of Forster Roofing operatives and project management team and branded our quality of workmanship “excellent”. The project was completed to the scheduled time and budget.

Airlie Gardens, Brechin

Forster successfully completed the installation of an 80 panel (20kWp) in-roof PV installation in conjunction with the re-tiling of the Airlie Gardens sheltered housing complex in Brechin for Angus Council.  This was the second sheltered housing roofing project completed by Forster’s for Angus Council.

The project was awarded to Forster’s as a result of their ability to provide all the roofing and solar PV installation works in house and also as they were able to host educational visits for local High School pupils.  The 800m² roof area of the complex was re-tiled with around 8,000 Marley Modern smooth grey tiles and the 80 black framed PV panels were integrated into the two south facing roof elevations using the Ubbink Solar In-Roof mounting system.

Following consultation with Forster’s, the Council specified the use of Enphase micro inverters to optimise the performance of the system.  The micro inverters’ control over individual modules allows them to isolate and tune the output of an individual panel, meaning a single failing module or inverter will not take the entire string off-line.  The system is expected to generate 17,000kWh of electricity in the first year, which is being used to provide power for the communal areas including residents lounges, kitchen and laundry facilities.

As part of the contract Forster’s provided a workshop on the workings of solar PV for two groups of Physics pupils from Brechin High School.

Drum of Garvock, Dunning

Architects Yeoman McAllister created a stunning design for this mansion house near Dunning in Perthshire.  Forster completed the slating works which covered an area of over 1,000m², across 23 roof panels including a spectacular turret.  Cupa Heavy 3 Spanish Slate was selected due to its rough surface and close resemblance to the traditional highland slate Ballachulish.  16 valleys and 5 mitred hips were expertly cut to create a striking roof scape.  Due to the extended rafter lengths (extending to 9.7metres in locations) and steep pitching, special consideration had to be given to ensure safe working practices during the works.

Sacred Heart Church, Aberdeen

The refurbishment of this beautifully designed Grade B Listed church in Aberdeen provided Forster with a perfect opportunity to showcase an outstandingly high level of workmanship.  Forster completed the retiling works for main contractor Robertson Construction Eastern.  Under the watch of Historic Scotland, 25 panels and 4 conicals (covering a roof area of 409m²) were stripped and re-tiled using Redland (light mixed brindle) Rosemary Clay plain tiles.  Particular attention must be drawn to the meticulous skill that went into the large (30m²) conical, where battens were notched and each tile carefully measured and chamfered twice to follow the conical roof profile.  This highlights the extreme patience and high skill level of the slater.  Other works included the use of lime mortar detailing at the ridges and abutments.

COPFS, Ballater Street, Glasgow

The in-roof solar installation of the Crown Office, Procurator Fiscal’s Office provided Forster with the ideal opportunity to showcase their integrated roofing and solar service on a sensitive, fully operational building in central Glasgow.

An inspection of the roof was carried out prior to the solar installation and on consideration of its age and relatively short remaining life expectancy, a decision was made to incorporate the renewal of the entire 1,800m² roof covering into the project. As the roof structure was not designed to withstand the weight of natural slate, the existing slate-composite roof was stripped and 25,000 Redland Cambrian ‘Slate Grey’ tiles were fitted.

Black panels and an in-roof fixing system were selected to integrate and sensitively blend the solar arrays in with the new roof finish. A total of 96 (270Wp) panels were installed across the two most suitable roof panels. The clean, self-generated solar energy is providing power to the offices and helping to reduce the carbon footprint of the building.

During scaffold erection, out of hours working was incorporated into the programme to minimise the disruption to those working within this busy building. Also as the scaffold was being erected in close proximity to street lighting on an exceptionally busy public footpath, the street lighting had to be shut off during site operational hours.

The design and operation of the building restricted the positioning of hoisting equipment to a single location. This meant that additional time for handballing materials had to be accounted for within the programme of works.

Our high standards of health and safety were again required to ensure the safety of all involved and impacted by the works, including the HSE prosecutor, whose office was in this busy four story building.

Barratt, South Gyle, Edinburgh

Forster were offered the ideal platform to showcase their combined roofing and solar PV service on a mixed Barratt Homes East Scotland development of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom houses and apartments in Edinburgh.

Solar Century 265Wp SunStation in-roof, interlocking panels have been fitted in conjunction with Russell Highland, Anthracite roof tiles on the first of three social housing apartment blocks. Five of the twelve arrays (one, eight panel 2.12kWp, two, six panel 1.59kWp and two, four panel 1.08kWp) have been installed to-date. Given the long roof elevation, careful consideration of the array spacing was essential to tie in with the roof tiles.

The arrays will provide power to the apartment block communal areas, including corridor and stairway lighting.

Barratt, Ocean, Aberdeen

Barratt Homes’ modern, well situated, executive apartment development provided an ideal opportunity for Forster to further showcase their combined roofing and solar PV installation service.

Having worked with Forster for over 20 years, and following successful installations at the Devona Gate, Pinefield and Evolution developments, Barratt Homes North again selected Forster to install Solar Century’s C21e, fully integrated, 50Wp PV tiles on their ten block development in the centre of Aberdeen

Forster carried out all the PV installation works, including electrical and commissioning, in conjunction with the roofing works. Without any visible flashings or weather-proofing, the sleek, almost invisible C21e tiles marry perfectly with each course of tile, to create the ultimate in PV roof integration. To-date, three of a total of five, 128 panel, 6.4kWp arrays have been fitted in conjunction with Russell, Grampian Slate Grey roof tiles.

The arrays have been connected to the landlord supply, providing power to communal areas including the corridor and stairway lighting within the blocks.

Scotia, Cove

The Victorian townhouse detailing and individuality of the Scotia homes (part of the Charleston new urban village development on the outskirts of Aberdeen) allowed Forster to showcase a range of slating and tiling skills. To-date, Forster have tiled and/or slated over 150 plots (including flatted blocks and a mix of housing) at Scotia’s flagship North East development.

The eclectic individual design of the homes – a standout feature of the Scotia homes – encompassed a mix of roof materials (natural slate, clay and concrete tiles), colours and detailing, including slating of a conical turret, mansard roofing and mitred hip slating on hips above dormers and bay windows. The extensive detailing and subsequent sequencing meant that the Forster slaters were required to work interchangeably with the other trades.

Our most experienced craft slaters were selected to meticulously cut and fix the slate to the mitred hip of the slated conical turret. The individuality of the homes presented a great opportunity for some of our ‘New Build Roofing’ apprentices to develop invaluable experience in a wide range of tiling and slating techniques.

McCarthy and Stone, Haddington

This beautifully designed, 49 home McCarthy & Stone flagship retirement living development in Haddington provided a great opportunity to showcase Forster’s slating craftsmanship.

The development was McCarthy & Stone first using an off-site manufactured timber kit (until now all their projects have been traditionally built), and included a two storey, 46 home, H shaped apartment block and a row of eight terraced cottages.

The outward facing elevations of the 1,645m² roof of the apartment block and 568m² roof of the cottage block were expertly slated by one of Forster’s craft roofing squads, with 58,000nr. SIGA 35 Spanish slate. Forster also carried out the tiling works either side of the box gutter on the inside elevations of the apartment block (invisible from the ground). Several Forster apprentices worked on these tiled elevations.

Due to the specific ventilated ridge detail the zinc ridging had to be refabricated to a size of 18” (standard is 14”). The extensive detailing and subsequent sequencing of trades meant that the Forster slaters were required to work interchangeably with the flat roofers and plumbers.

A & J Stephen, Plot 18, Clathymore

Picturesque rural Perthshire is the setting for A & J Stephen’s traditionally styled country home development. The prestigious, flagship 42 home development designed by renowned Scottish architect James Denholm, showcases some outstanding slating craftsmanship. Dark blue/black, Cupa Heavy 3 slate was specified on this development to compliment the authentic, natural finish of the homes.

The 326m² Plot 18 roof is one of over a dozen plots slated by Forster on the development to date. Following discussion with Forster, Stephen adapted the specification to a smaller 300mm x 200mm slate size to suit the windy, exposed nature of the site and to blend in with the surrounding vernacular. Two of our longest serving craft slaters laid the 14,600nr. 300mm by 200mm and 1,245nr. 300mm by 300mm Cupa H3 slates – including the expertly cut mitred hips on the garage, front dormers and entrance porch roofs.

Bellway Homes, Cowdenbeath

This 49 plot social housing development in Cowdenbeath provided the perfect opportunity for Forster Roofing to showcase their fully integrated roofing and in-roof solar PV service for volume house builder Bellway Homes.

Two (0.5kWp), three (0.75kWp) and four (1kWp) panel systems were installed, depending on the size of the house type. The GSE in-roof fixing system was specified to integrate with the plain tile roofing works. The roof and solar panel installation were delivered by the same roofing squad, who had received additional in-house solar installation training. This ensured continuity throughout the project.

The power generated by each solar array will be fed directly into the homes, thereby reducing the tenants’ requirement to buy in electricity from the grid, which will subsequently allow them to take control of their energy bills.

Doo’cot Cricket Pavilion and Shelter, Perth

The striking setting and impressive design of the Grade B listed Doo’cot Park pavilion in Perth combined with its historical significance created the perfect context for Forster to demonstrate their skills in heritage tiling.

The pavilion was designed by Smart, Stewart and Mitchell and built between 1924/1925. The Gannochy Trust was later founded in 1937 by Arthur, known as A K Bell, for charitable and public purposes as a direct result of his family’s successful distilling business.  In addition to the cricket ground A K built the innovative Gannochy housing estate between 1925 and 1932 to provide high quality rented accommodation for the people of Perth.

The Sandtoft Heritage Service provided an original specification for the contract.  Works to the cricket pavilion involved stripping the existing tile and retiling with Sandtoft Greenwood handmade clay pantiles.  Close attention to detail was required throughout but particularly to the facetted bell shaped tower.  Locally sourced larch bark timber was utilised to provide barge and fascia detailing.  Traditional lime mortar methods were adopted in keeping with the striking design.  All leadwork was replaced to meet the highest required standards.

Morgan Academy, Dundee

Morgan Academy is a prominent A-Listed landmark in Dundee, devastated by fire in March 2001. It was a spectacular blaze, which gutted the internal construction and roof, leaving only the stone facades.

Rather than demolish the remainder of the School, Dundee City Council opted to restore the building, whilst creating a modern secondary school behind the retained façade.

Mansell was appointed as the Principal Partnership Contractor and Forster was awarded the Slating contract, following a tender and interview selection process.  The contract was let on a partnering basis with an ‘open book’ commercial audit of our tender costs, materials, procurement, etc by Mansell and Dundee City Council.  This principle involved sharing any commercial gains against our tender between sub-contractor/main contractor/client and incentivised the parties to work together rather than individually.  This was the first time Forster had worked under this arrangement and would have no hesitation in doing so again, particularly on a complex refurbishment such as this.

The Restoration Architects, Simpson & Brown selected Burlington Slates for the project and we set about re-creating the visual effect of the original roof appearance from old photographs and videos of the school.

We finalised a schedule for every roof panel that specified the number of courses, individual slate size per course, headlap, gauge and tonnage involved and Burlington provided the huge range of sizes required.  The front elevation conical turrets also required fishscale profiled slate, which added another dimension.  In total 33 panels, 20 dormer roofs, 3 pyramid roofs and 4 conical roofs were allocated slate on a course by course diminishing size basis.

With the extensive nature of repairs and involvement with stonemasons, plumbers and joiners the works required careful co-ordination.  Add in the logistics of moving up to 20 different slate sizes in individual crates to each roof panel, it gives an insight into the unique nature of the project, which was ultimately delivered under budget.

Dundee City Council also took the opportunity to re-slate some of the newer parts of the school, where were unaffected by the fire, whilst we were on site.

Morgan Academy is one of the most technically and logistically challenging projects we have undertaken, but is testament to the collective ‘can do’ attitude by all involved

Victoria Primary School, Airdrie

The re-slating and solar PV installation of Victoria Primary School in Airdrie provided Forster with the perfect context to demonstrate their slating skills, highlight their ability to overcome operational and logistical challenges and also deliver additional complimentary services. As a result, Forster helped the school reduce their energy costs and cut their carbon footprint.

The works carried out to this fully operational school for North Lanarkshire Council included the removal and renewal of the 1,400m² slated roof and installation of new domed Solas roof light.

The 14 roof panels were re-slated using Cupa H3 Slate.  Each slate was fitted with a stainless steel black jap hook, which fixed directly into the sarking.  36 metres of valley were cut, 49 metres of hip fitted and 202 vents were installed.  Roof anchors and snowboards were installed by our sub-contractor partner Roof Edge Fabrications.

The design of the school with a fully enclosed courtyard presented logistical access challenges, which were overcome by careful management of materials into difficult areas.  As the school was fully operational throughout the works, the protection and safety management of the children, their teachers and other visitors to the school was of paramount importance.  This was carefully monitored and controlled by the Forster site manager, Alistair Allan who met regularly with the head teacher and sub contractor partners throughout the contract.

Following award of this contract, Forster provided North Lanarkshire Council with proposals to incorporate the installation of Solar PV into the re-roofing programme to benefit the school both financial and environmentally.  This was taken up by the client who welcomed the opportunity and, after consultation with our solar PV team, a 10kWp in-roof PV system was installed by sister company Forster Energy in conjunction with the slating works.

Victorian Market Arcade, Inverness

Forster successfully completed the £800,000 roof-renewal of the Grade B listed Victorian Market Arcade in the centre of Inverness for Highland Council. The works involved re-slating the 1,500m² roof (using the existing salvaged Welsh slate and new Cupa H3 500x250mm slate), including the striking atrium. The renewal of lead (including large finial detail), roof lights, installation of a specially designed GRP guttering system, stone work repairs, sarking to provide a finished interior, internal painter work, access improvements and installation of new fire alarm and ventilation systems. Careful planning of new and existing slate positions was carried out in line with Listed Building Planning requirements.

The market remained open throughout the project, which was critical given that the works were completed during the peak Christmas shopping season. Forster’s system of programming proved highly effective in dealing with the invasive nature of the works, the extensive integration of trades, the needs of shop owners and the demands of a busy city centre location. Ultimately ensuring the efficient management of resources to meet the programme, the budget and deliver a high standard of finish on the project.

The Construction Phase Health and Safety Plan recognised the challenges of working around and above the general public both externally and internally.  As the sarking boards were in effect the finished ceiling of the Market, the complete interior was protected by means of a crash deck scaffold to separate the works from the public.  Large elements of these works were carried out during night shift periods to minimise the impact on shop owners and shoppers. The main Atrium required a comprehensive scaffold design which itself took over a week to install and although hidden from the public eye was a spectacular structure.

The site location was in one of the most traffic sensitive areas in the centre of Inverness and the nature and scope of the works required the closing of a key traffic lane to provide space for a site compound and access.  Working with the Local Authority, Police and other emergency services as well as local and national bus companies and taxi services, Forster developed a Traffic Management Plan which minimised the impact on road users while accommodating key site service.  For example, detailed planning ensured that the majority deliveries were made out-with peak traffic times.

This project was completed ahead of schedule and strong commendations were received from Highland Council and local shopkeepers in the Market.

Lochgelly High School, Lochgelly

Fife Council appointed Forster to act as principal contractor for the re-roofing of Lochgelly High School. The project consisted of three phases, with the initial pilot phase dedicated to establish the specification and practicalities of working in a busy community school environment.

Following the pilot, the finalised specification was introduced for phase 1 (completed 2006) and phase 2, which is scheduled for completion in September 2007.

Along with replacing the existing fibre cement tiles, Fife Council also took the opportunity to replace leadwork, fascias, soffits, gutters and upgrade the roof insulation as part of the works.

A Lafarge Cambrian Tile was selected for its slate appearance, lightweight and suitability for low pitches.  Lafarge dry fix accessories were also utilised to give the client a maintenance free roof finish covering approximately 7,000m2 over 120 roof panels.

Barratt Homes, Evolution, Aberdeen

This well situated city centre development of executive apartments presented Forster with yet another opportunity to excel in their ability to combine roofing and solar PV installation services.

Having worked with Forster’s for over 20 years, and following their success on the previous Devona Gate and Pinefield sites, Barratt Homes again selected Forster’s to install fully integrated PV tiles (including all electrical and commissioning works) in conjunction with the roofing works at the Evolution development.

Russell, Grampian Slate Grey roof tiles were fitted along with 454 Solar Century C21e PV tiles on five of the sites 13 flatted blocks. This included a 172 tile (8.6kWp) and 144 tile (7.18kWp) array on the two prominent entry blocks. The electricity generated is being used to provide power for communal areas (ie corridor and stairway lighting) within the blocks.

Springfield, Fife Housing Innovation Showcase, Dunfermline

We were involved in an exciting sustainable showcase development in Dunfermline in the Spring of 2012. The innovative project, a partnership between Kingdom Housing Association & Fife Council, involved 27 new houses which for three weeks in May 2012 became ‘The Housing Innovation Showcase’. The house designs and ground-breaking construction methods demonstrated the benefits of using these construction systems across mainstream affordable housing.

Forster installed Marley Solesia integrated roof PV tiles alongside Marley Duo Modern interlocking tiles for developer Springfield Properties on behalf of ‘Future Affordable’ who used a terrace of three homes to demonstrate how the 2010, 2013 Low carbon and 2016 Zero carbon Scottish Building Standards could be achieved.

The mid-terrace property, used to demonstrate how the 2013 building standard could be achieved was fitted with a 1.44KwP system using 16 number (90wP) PV tiles.  The end terrace property, used to demonstrate how the 2016 standard could be achieved was fitted with a 2.88KwP system using 32 number PV tiles.

The discreet, integrated nature of the PV tiles was a big talking point throughout the Showcase and demonstrated how the government’s stringent carbon reduction targets can be achieved through the inclusion of roof PV, without detracting from the appearance of the building.

City Legacy, Glasgow Commonwealth Games Athletes Village

Involvement with the high profile Commonwealth Games Athletes’ Village development provided us with the perfect platform to showcase our competence in delivering sensitive projects, present innovative product solutions and provide integrated solar PV services.

Forster were selected by Mactaggart and Mickel, one of the “City Legacy“ consortium of development partners, to deliver a ‘one stop’ integrated solar PV roofing and roof window installation service to almost a third of the 703 homes at the development in Glasgow.

Forster designed, installed and commissioned 1, 1.25, 1.5 and 2.25kWp in-roof and ballasted flat roof PV systems to 225 homes.  Black trim 250Wp panels and an in-roof mounting system (for the pitched roofs) were selected by City Legacy to create a sleek design and finish for this prestigious development.

As the homes were designed with room-in-roof, City Legacy sought a solution as to where to position the string inverters.  Forster found the solution, introducing our client “Mactaggart and Mickel” to micro-inverters which can be installed on the roof under the PV panels (instead of in the home).  The micro-inverters’ control over individual modules allow them to isolate and tune the output of an individual panel, meaning a single failing module or inverter will not take the entire string offline.

Given the stringent build programme and high quality standards set, Forster’s track record of successfully delivering high calibre contracts combined with their ability to provide the solar PV works in conjunction with their roof tile and roof window installation services, ensured the contract ran smoothly.

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