Wylam Manor

In the late 1990’s a major housebuilder converted and extended this fine 1870’s building to form flats in the original Hall, with a wing of new apartments within the grounds. Subsequently, sagging of an ornate 19th Century plaster ceiling below a flat roof, thought to have been caused by water leaks through the flat roof, revealed extensive wet rot in the whole of the roof area, with numerous sprouting fungi. We were asked to investigate and advise upon the cause of the problem. By calculation, we demonstrated the cause of the water within the roof to be condensation: as much as 1.5 litres for every square metre of the area of the roof. This was caused by incorrect design of the roof construction, which placed glass fibre insulation at ceiling level without a vapour control layer, and omitted to provide any natural air movement through the void above.

The Works involved the construction of a new roof, including a roof structure, with insulation and a new waterproof lead covering including adjustments to the roof drainage. We provided architectural services from inception to completion, including the submission of Planning and Building Control Applications, and the provision of Contract Administration services.