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Case Study

Permavent APEX Specified for Re-Roofing of St Patrick’s Church, a Local Landmark of Deep Historical and Architectural Significance

St. Patricks Church, Hardybutts, Wigan

St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Wigan, a striking red-brick building in the lancet Gothic style, was built in 1874 for St Patrick, to the designs of Liverpool architect James O’Byrne, who was also working on St Joseph’s College in nearby Upholland at the time. As a prominent local landmark with deep historical and architectural significance, the church has long served as a spiritual and community hub. However, recent years saw the building suffer from a serious roof leak, threatening both its structural integrity and interior features. In response, a major re-roofing project was undertaken, not only to address the immediate issue of water ingress but also to restore and preserve the church for future generations.

View products used in project

Location

St. Patricks Church, Hardybutts, Wigan

Requirement

The re-roofing project at St. Patrick’s Church was initiated to address severe water ingress that was damaging the church’s interior, alongside a broader effort to restore its structural and aesthetic integrity.
Permavent APEX membrane played a key role in renewing the pitched roof coverings, which were finished using a combination of reclaimed slate from the site and closely matched Canadian Glendyne Slate.
This work formed a crucial part of the long-term preservation strategy for the historic building, ensuring it remains a cherished landmark as it approaches its bicentenary in 2047. Due to the complexity and sensitivity of the restoration, extensive scaffolding was required both inside and outside the church to facilitate the works safely and effectively.

 

Why Permavent was chosen

Permavent APEX was selected for the re-roofing of St. Patrick’s Church following a request from the project surveyor for a vapour and air permeable membrane. Permavent APEX was chosen for its exceptional breathability, helping to prevent condensation and moisture build-up within the roof structure, crucial for preserving historic buildings.

The integrated double taped system allows for secure, watertight installation without compromising ventilation, making it ideal for sensitive heritage sites. The ease of installation was especially valuable given the complexity of the project and the need to respect the church’s architectural integrity. With a strong track record in heritage and ecclesiastical buildings, Permavent APEX offered a trusted solution for long-term protection and preservation.


How Permavent was installed

The installation of Permavent APEX at St. Patrick’s Church began with the careful preparation of the roof structure, which included the removal of damaged materials and a thorough inspection of the existing timbers.

The Project Surveyor raised concerns regarding weight loadings, due to the vaulted ceiling construction. To address this, it was required to strip equal sections of the roof from each side to maintain the structural integrity of the building and the vaulted ceiling below.

Added to this was the challenge of the 50° steep roof pitch and the 9+ metre  length of the roof spars, which was overcome through careful planning and the installation of additional safety platform systems laid up the roof slopes to ensure safe access.

Once the structure was ready, the Permavent APEX membrane was laid on top of the existing roof spars across the roof, ensuring full coverage and correct overlap to maintain the waterproofing integrity and protect the church valuables and lath plaster ceiling within the church.

The slates were installed with precision, preserving the church’s original aesthetic while meeting modern performance standards.

“A great scheme to be involved with due to complexity of the works and very satisfying to see the final product on completion.
We worked with some great products on this scheme such as the Canadian Glendyne Slates and Permavent APEX.”

Ashley Elliott, Commercial Director, Swindells Roofing –  St. Patricks Church, Wigan

Client:

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Liverpool

 

Roofing Contractor:

Swindells Roofing,

Jubits Lane,

St. Helens,

Merseyside,

WA9 4RX

 

Swindells Roofing – Serving the pitched roofing market for over 125 years.

Products Used

Permavent APEX

Air open and vapour permeable underlay

  • Suitable for use with all types of solar panels
  • BBA certified 23/6867
  • Integrated double tape system
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