The Queen's College Record 2020

Reports and College Activities
CHAPEL ROOF PROJECT
In August 2019 the College began a 54 week project
to replace the entire lead work on both Chapel and Hall
roofs. Due to the condition of the lead sheeting, both
had become vulnerable to water ingress, as several of
the large bays of lead had started to slip and many of
the sheets and guttering had developed large splits.
Within the College records there is no reference to the
roof coverings previously being replaced on this building
at any time within its 300 year history.
David Goddard
Project Consultant
The programme of work comprised replacement of
the existing lead finishes to both the north and south
roof slopes, along with the parapet gutters around the
perimeter of the building. Up to date methodology, along
with newer building control regulations, stipulated that the maximum size of the new
lead sheeting would have to be smaller in width than that of the existing. In essence
this means that along each slope an additional eight bays had to be incorporated.
Four additional bays have been created at the hip end west elevation of the Hall, and
a further nine bays added to the semi-circular east end. One of the main reasons for
the change to the regulations was to reduce the potential for excess expansion and
contraction and to avoid the lead sheets splitting. A ventilation detail to the central
ridge section and perimeter gutter also had to be incorporated within the new design.
All of these changes required advance approval from the local conservation authority.
Before and
after shots of
timber boards
that sit directly
underneath the
leadwork
52 The Queen’s College | College Record 2020