University of the West of England, Q Block
Metal Roof Coating & Gutter Replacement
3,100 m² metal roof coating and industrial gutter replacement at UWE Q Block, a £250,000 refurbishment delivered as Principal Contractor in Summer 2025.
- Sector
- Education
- Location
- Bristol
- Client
- University of the West of England (UWE)
- Roof area
- —
- Contract value
- £250,000
- Completed
- 2025
The Challenge
During Summer 2025, Total Roofing Solutions & Building Services Ltd (TRS) was appointed as Principal Contractor to refurbish approximately 3,100 m² of metal roofing at Q Block, University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol. The £250,000 project included the replacement of the external rainwater system together with the application of a specialist Giromax Roofcoat system to extend the service life of the existing roof.
Although the existing metal roof remained structurally sound, years of weathering had caused deterioration of the original protective coating. To ensure the refurbishment delivered maximum longevity, the roof required extensive preparation before coating, with particular attention paid to roof sheet laps, flashings and detailing. Working within a live university campus also required careful planning, strict health and safety management and efficient programme coordination.
The Solution
TRS completed a full preparation of the existing roof before applying the Giromax Roofcoat system in Merlin Grey, restoring both the appearance and weather resistance of the roof and extending its service life without the cost of complete replacement.
At the same time, the ageing rainwater system was completely replaced with new industrial joggled galvanised gutters, together with new downpipes and flashings, providing a comprehensive refurbishment rather than isolated repairs.
What we did
- Removal of existing external gutters.
- Installation of new industrial joggled galvanised gutters.
- New galvanised downpipes.
- New colour-matched flashings.
- Full preparation of the existing metal roof.
- End lap treatment to all roof sheets.
- Application of [Giromax Roofcoat](/services/roof-coatings) in Merlin Grey.
- Final inspections and quality assurance.
Keeping the campus operational
Delivered on a live [university campus](/sectors/education), the works were coordinated with UWE's estates team to keep pedestrian routes and neighbouring buildings clear at all times. Edge protection, exclusion zones and controlled access were maintained throughout, with daily briefings and permits to work governing every activity at height.
The refurbishment was phased across Summer 2025 to align with the University's academic calendar and planned maintenance programme, minimising disruption to campus operations and allowing the full 3,100 m² to be prepared, coated and re-drained within a single working window. Preparation, wet-film thickness and cure of the Giromax Roofcoat were checked at each stage, with lap treatment and detail work signed off before topcoat application. New gutters, downpipes and flashings were water-tested and snagged prior to hand-over.
Outcomes
The completed project significantly enhanced both the appearance and performance of the building whilst extending the service life of the existing roof without the cost of complete replacement.
The combination of the Giromax coating system and new rainwater goods now provides UWE with a durable, low-maintenance roofing solution designed to perform for many years.
The project was completed safely, on programme and to the client's satisfaction.
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