The Challenge

Refurbishing an occupied community building presents unique challenges, particularly when the facility provides essential day-to-day services for vulnerable people. 

The Ark remained fully operational throughout the reroofing programme, requiring careful planning and phased working to ensure staff, volunteers and service users could continue accessing the building safely without disruption. 

Alongside maintaining daily operations, the refurbishment needed to preserve the character of the existing roof while significantly improving its long-term performance. Wherever possible, the existing natural Welsh slates were to be retained and reused, reducing material waste and preserving the appearance of the historic building. At the same time, the upgraded roof construction required effective moisture management, improved thermal performance and a durable roofing solution capable of protecting the building for decades to come. 

Permavent APEX was selected because its air open and vapour permeable design made it particularly well suited to an occupied community building requiring effective moisture management within an upgraded roof construction. Installed beneath both retained and replacement natural Welsh slates, the underlay provides secondary weather protection while allowing moisture vapour to escape safely from within the roof build-up. 

Its high-performance characteristics also removed the need for additional low- and high-level roof ventilation, helping preserve the original appearance of the roof by eliminating modern PVC roof ventilators from the design. 

Additional works included upgraded insulation to improve thermal performance, renewal of leadwork, repairs to chimney details and refurbishment of associated timber roof elements. 

Equally important was the social impact of the project. Throughout the refurbishment, The Ark continued to provide practical support, healthcare access, guidance and stability for people experiencing homelessness, hardship and crisis across Shropshire.

Through careful planning, collaboration and a shared commitment between Roofrite (Shropshire) Ltd, Permavent and local stakeholders, the project was delivered on time, within budget and to the client’s complete satisfaction. Donations of materials and wider community support also helped reduce financial pressure on the charity while securing the future of an important community resource. 

The completed project demonstrates that sustainable roofing refurbishment is about more than improving building performance. By combining responsible material reuse, conservation-sensitive repair and modern roofing technology, The Ark now benefits from a durable, energy-efficient roof that will continue protecting both the building and the people who rely upon it for many years to come.