Roof Refurbishment: City Gate Newcastle
Introduction: Commercial Roofing Newcastle
DVC Commercial Roofing Contractors were appointed to deliver a full roof refurbishment at City Gate; a premium office development located in Newcastle city centre opposite St James’ Park.
Due to its prominent location, live operational environment, and highly restricted access conditions, the project required detailed planning, careful coordination, and a phased delivery approach to ensure safe execution with minimal disruption to building occupants.
The existing roof coverings had reached the end of their serviceable life, resulting in reduced waterproofing performance and increasing the risk of water ingress. DVC Roofing were engaged to provide a fully compliant, high-performance roofing solution that would restore full weather protection and deliver long-term durability suitable for a premium commercial office setting.
Project Overview:
The City Gate refurbishment was delivered across two phases, covering a combined roof area of 1,580m². Phase 1 involved 970m² of IKO Ultra Prevent bituminous roofing system, installed following a full strip back to deck level.
This ensured complete removal of the existing roof build-up and allowed for a fully renewed waterproofing specification to be installed from structural level upwards.
Phase 2 comprised 610m² of IKO Metatech liquid waterproofing system, selected to provide a seamless, high-performance finish to more complex roof areas, including detailing zones, junctions, and transitions where traditional sheet systems are less effective.
The combination of both systems allowed the roof to benefit from a robust primary waterproofing layer alongside a flexible, detail-focused solution.
Due to the constrained city centre location opposite a major stadium and surrounding commercial properties, traditional site setup methods were not possible. A restricted compound was established within three allocated parking spaces to the rear of the building, forming the primary logistics hub for the project.
All materials, plant, and equipment were then mechanically lifted to roof level using goods hoists, ensuring controlled and efficient vertical access throughout the programme.
Project Challenges / Objectives:
A key challenge on this project was maintaining full operational continuity within the building throughout the works. The roof sits directly above live office and storage spaces, meaning any failure in waterproofing integrity could have had immediate operational and financial implications. As such, sequencing and temporary protection measures were critical at all stages of delivery.
The city centre location presented significant logistical constraints. Limited external space restricted the ability to establish a traditional compound, requiring careful coordination of deliveries, material storage, and lifting operations. The proximity to high-traffic areas also required additional consideration for safety, timing, and site security.
The primary objectives were to fully renew the existing roof system, eliminate long-term waterproofing risks, and deliver a durable, future-proof solution. Equally important was the requirement to maintain strict health and safety standards, ensure zero disruption to occupants, and complete the works within a controlled, phased programme suited to the constraints of the site.
Commercial Roofing Solution:
To successfully deliver the project requirements, DVC implemented a phased roofing strategy using two specialist waterproofing systems, each selected for its specific performance characteristics.
Phase 1 utilised the IKO Ultra Prevent bituminous roofing system. This system was chosen for its proven durability, multi-layer construction, and suitability for large-scale commercial flat roofing applications.
The existing roof was fully stripped back to deck level, allowing for full inspection of the substrate and ensuring a sound base for the new waterproofing build-up. The system provided a robust, long-life solution designed to perform in exposed urban environments.
Phase 2 incorporated the IKO Metatech liquid waterproofing system. This was specified for its seamless application and ability to accommodate complex detailing, including upstands, penetrations, and junctions. It’s cold-applied nature also allowed for efficient installation in constrained areas while maintaining full adhesion and continuity across the roof surface.
All materials were delivered to the rear compound and lifted to roof level using goods hoists. Works were carefully sequenced to ensure sections remained watertight throughout the programme, with strict controls in place during strip-out and installation phases to protect the occupied areas below at all times.
Outcome:
The completed roof refurbishment at City Gate delivers a significantly enhanced level of waterproofing integrity, durability, and long-term performance. The integrated use of two specialist systems ensures the roof is fully protected across both primary surfaces and complex detailing zones.
IKO Ultra Prevent provides a robust, high-strength bituminous solution designed for long-term performance on large flat roof areas, offering excellent resistance to weathering and mechanical stress.
IKO Metatech complements this by delivering a seamless, flexible waterproofing layer that strengthens vulnerable detailing areas and ensures complete continuity across all transitions.
Together, these systems create a fully integrated roofing solution tailored to the demands of the building and its city centre environment.
The project demonstrates DVC Commercial Roofing Contractors’ capability in delivering complex, phased refurbishments within live operational settings, while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, and workmanship throughout.
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