Technical training with prestigious Hard Metal Awards for the Federation of Traditional Metal Roofers

The new FTMRC Chairman, Trevor Corser, was host to a record attendance from the FTMRC membership at its annual Technical Seminar.

All Members of the FTMRC are regularly vetted and their grades published with a compulsory requirement to personally attend a technical seminar annually to develop their knowledge and assist in their professional development. The main auditorium was packed leaving standing room only. The assembled delegates listened to important and informative presentations then attended at specialist lectures covering fire protection, rainwater and substructures.

The day’s finale was The FTMRC Hard Metals Awards, which this year saw a plethora of outstanding entries from across the UK testing the judges! The FTMRC Hard Metals Awards opened with The Commercial Roofing Award, sponsored by Simon Walker of SIG Zinc & Copper.

The winner was Richardson Roofing Co Ltd with The Savoy in the Strand.

The project involved a major refurbishment of an original 1920s building at 105 - 109 Strand for the Duchy of Lancaster. The multimillion redevelopment scheme delivered extensive works to the main building and rear wing, including the adaptation of two new storeys to the front of the property, three to the rear and the introduction of two large terraces. The scope of work comprised of the design supply and installation of Metsec light steel framing system to external walls including insulation and CP Board, Bauder flat roof coverings’ including insulation and terrace finishes and installation of the impressive diamond shaped zinc shingles to form rainscreen covering to Mansard roof including substrate build up.

The Commercial Roofing Award finalists:

Were JM Roofing Specialists Ltd with Milltimber

This project was the first large installation job the company had undertaken for a main contractor. Being involved with the design from ensuring all works were completed to a very high standard. Note the change of pitch down at the roof eaves from 8 degrees to 16 degrees, which was discussed and approved by V M Zinc as being within tolerance of their guidelines, having been involved with the project’s architect at initial design stage and subsequently visiting site to view the project of which 2,500m2 of Zinc was used.

and Longworth Building Services Ltd with Derby Market Hall

Originally built in 1864 and located in Derby’s Cathedral Quarter, the Market Hall is one of the city’s most culturally important buildings. Today it plays host to a range of independent traders, with its wide variety of stalls encompassing niche food and drink offerings as well as local fashion retailers.

To extend the building’s lifespan and to counter structural deterioration that has occasionally forced the markets temporary closure, Wates Construction was appointed to deliver phase one of the project which saw the significant improvement to the buildings glazed panelling, copper roof and stonework.

They were contracted by Wates Construction to design, supply and install new standing seam copper roofing to the central spine of the roof and 4 tapered curved corners.

Due to the shape of the building, an extensive and complex scaffold and temporary roof was erected to carry out the works as well as working on a temporary running safety line whilst at the top of the roof slopes. They were awarded Wates Quality and Service Award at the Midlands Supply Chain Awards 2021 for the work carried out on this project.

The Cladding Award, sponsored by Michael Staff of ALM HM

The winner was Longworth Building Services Ltd with Lampwick Quay

Lampwick is a 213-home, build-to-rent development that forms part of Manchester Life's phased regeneration and development across Ancoats and New Islington on Manchester City Centre's eastern edge. Our work included design, supply and installation of VM Zinc products as follows – 800m2 x Standing seam roofing and cladding in Gold 691, 4400m2 x Mosaik rainscreen panels in Pigmento Grey and Anthra, 1500m2 x interlocking plank rainscreen panels in Quartz and Pigmento Grey.

The Cladding Award finalists:

Were Salmon Solutions Ltd with Smale House

The building is the Vodafone HQ, the design was agreed with the company branding team. They were challenged with transforming an existing structure into a flagship HQ for one of the most recognisable brands in the world. Set within the nouveau development within the Southwark backstreets, Smale House - an extensive facility for Vodafone HQ - was significantly refurbished and part extended in a bold black VM Zinc aesthetic. Concealing the original aged structure, the new face to the headquarters is a glazed atrium extension characterised by expanded Ash & Lacy mesh metal cladding, contrasting the iconic red logo. Working closely with the Principal Contractor, Architect and TFL, they were able to complete the project on time. The building completion date was extremely strict as the Mayor of London was opening the building with National TV and press present to talk to Sadiq Khan about business in the Capital.

and Just Hard Metals Ltd with Lord Wandsworth College

Cladding the new college consisting of VM Zinc Pigmento Red Plus and non-plus 0.7mm for roof / 0.8mm for cladding standing seam roofs and single lock welt cladding with 2000mm cross welts. Warm roof with VM breather membrane and aluminium bracket and rails to walls including insulation and ventilated plywood.

Best Project Under £25k Award, sponsored by FTMRC

The winner was Hutchison Metal Roofing with Eashing House

Renovation to existing house. The client wanted the single ply membrane roof covering removed and replaced with stainless steel roof covering to match existing cladding on house. The existing stainless steel had been discontinued so the client was happy to go with Aperam Ugibright for new roof.

Existing roof stripped back to rafters then new warmroof buildup installed- 18mm ply, vapour barrier, 140mm Kingspan K7 Kooltherm, Tyveck breather membrane and Metmat underlay. New kerbs built for Velux windows plus raised area behind one Velux window to support air conditioning unit. Also applied to cladding and soffit to verge overhang.

The Best Project Under £25k Award finalists:

Were JTC Roofing Contractors Ltd with Bronwydd

Extension to house, walls and sloping roof area in 0.6mm Greencoat Nordic Night Black. Using. Angled and standing seam with 18mm ventilated plywood supporting substrate and Elite 300 underlay.

and Just Hard Metals Ltd with Ran Moore House

Extension to cladding on an old manor house in Sheffield.

Using 0.7mm Auribis Brass for the cladding by standing seam and ventilated plywood supporting substrate with a Tyvek breather membrane.

The Ian Harvey Architectural Award, sponsored by Oliver Marshall of Metra Non-Ferrous Metals.

The winner was Just Hard Metals Ltd with Brecken Hill.

A new build residential barn in Hexham. Using 0.7mm VM Zinc Quartz Plus on roof and 0.8mm on walls. Method of installation by standing seam and ventilated plywood supporting substrate with a V M Zinc breather membrane.

The Ian Harvey Architectural Award finalists:

Were CEL Group (1989) Ltd with Brancepeth Castle

Grand Staircase and lightwell roofs, replacement of felt roofing with new raised boarded roof structures with zinc roof covering. Using 0.7mm VM Zinc Quartz, method of installation by wood roll, open gap boarding supporting substrate and Tyvek breather membrane.

and EMC Roofing & Cladding Ltd with Cambridge Mosque

An interesting project to fabricate and install curved and tapered panels including breather membrane and fixings. All panels with 35mm/45mm upstand. Using 0.7mm Tecu gold by standing seam with a ventilated warm roof, timber Boarding, plywood, composite panel, insulation and supporting substrate framework.

The Contractor of the Year Award, sponsored by Daniel Madell of PREFA

The winner was Just Hard Metals Ltd with sponsor Daniel Madell from PREFA and FTMRC Chairman Trevor Corser.

The Contractor of the Year Award finalists:

Were Longworth Building Services Ltd

and Richardson Roofing Co Ltd

The FTMRC Hard Metals Awards 2022 Entries for the FTMRC Annual Hard Metals Awards 2023 are now open!!

The Federation is the vanguard of the traditional, fully supported roofing and cladding sector, providing technical guidance of a practical on site experience. It provides the matrix between manufacturers and suppliers to help drive up standards and support training.

If you have got what it takes to be a winner and produce a high standard of work let us know. All members of the FTMRC, their clients, architects and consultants who have recently used an FTMRC member can supply an entry to the 2023 FTMRC Hard Metals Awards by providing the project details together with high resolution photographs to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Pitching Tomorrow’s Roofing Technology Today

To view the 2022 Awards in full visit https://ftmrc.co.uk/about/news