Norman & Underwood are keen supporters of the Leicester regeneration programme and so were extremely delighted to be awarded the prestigious contract for the supply and fix of Pre-Patinated Copper shingles to clad the timber façade on the penthouse (high level) apartments of the new luxury Westbridge Wharf development in Leicester.

Westbridge Wharf is located on the side of the canal at Bath Lane, close to the Shires shopping centre.  Leicester City Council and the Leicester Regeneration Company have identified this area for major investment and regeneration including recreational uses and a new marina. 

Built by main contractors Laing O’Rourke Midlands Limited the scheme consists of 131 apartments in three unique buildings: Gonte Point, Roman Wall and Dyersgate.

The project commenced on the 6th May 2005.

The contract leadtime was 20 weeks and between two and four of our skilled craftsmen worked on the project at any one time.

The first phase of the project saw our skilled craftsmen initially fix a Klober Permo-easy underlay that acts as a vapour barrier onto an 18mm plywood façade.  This process took two men approximately three days to secure.

The second phase of the project was to install 515 square metres of the shingles – about the same area as two and a half full size tennis courts.  This delicate process involved placing 5 tonnes of 600 x 600 shingles in diamond formation onto the underlay.

The shingles were secured with stainless steel clips and a single lock welt to enable thermal movement (expansion and contraction).

TECU® System Shingles are large format copper cladding elements for roofs and walls that offer advantages in design and price.  Manufactured by KME these shingles allow builders to cover façades, roofs and individual building elements quickly, easily and economically.

The shingles can be installed on any standard full surface substrate suitable for metal cladding.

Through the years the patination of the shingles will remain the same because they have been chemically enhanced, a procedure that speeds up the ageing process through acid treatment.

The easy-maintenance shingles only require to be washed in soapy water (no detergents) as deemed necessary  -  every 50 years!

Shaun Ward, Contracts Manager, said “It was a very challenging contract and the end result leaves an impressive new skyline to the city of Leicester and I am proud to be part of creating our new heritage of the future.”

He added: “Completing the task to schedule is testimony to the quality of craftsmanship and the dedication of the Norman & Underwood team working on this project.”