Protective Metrotile Tiles Save School Roof From Coastal Erosion.

The Challenge

Walney School, situated just two miles from the Irish Sea in Barrow-in-Furness, was dealing with the harsh realities of a coastal environment. The original roof, installed around 10 years ago, had suffered significant salt spray corrosion. Over time, the damage led to multiple leaks across different sections of the roof, compromising both the performance and safety of the building.

The complex project involved a mix of pitched and flat roof elevations, alongside additional challenges caused by poorly installed traditional solar panels. These installations had lifted several roof sections and allowed water ingress, further undermining the school’s weathertightness.

In line with updated building regulations, the insulation also needed to be upgraded from 0.3 to 0.8 U-Value to improve energy efficiency.

The Solution

Metrotile was identified as the ideal choice for Walney School thanks to its proven ability to perform in coastal environments. The Metrotile Slate .9 profile was selected in Charcoal to provide a sleek, modern finish while maintaining the school’s professional appearance.

Above: The newly installed Velux windows and Metrotile Slate .9 on Walney School.

Crucially, two coastal-coated eaves courses were specified to safeguard against the very issues that had plagued the previous roof, offering long-term resistance to sea spray, salt corrosion, and unpredictable coastal weather. This solution was recommended and approved in consultation with Lea Hough Chartered Surveyors.

Did you know: Metrotile can coastal coat any tiles in their range with made to order requests; offering additional coastal protection for any profile and colour combination.

The decision to use 0.9mm thickness tiles further enhanced durability, providing anti-vandal benefits and the strength needed for ongoing roof access for maintenance teams. Together, these features made Metrotile the reliable and future-proof choice for a building in such a demanding location.

Alongside the reroofing, the school allocated a further £500,000 for a new internal heating system, which included the installation of Velux windows.

The Installation

The reroof was carried out by FRS Roofing Contractors and took around six weeks to complete during the summer holiday. Despite the challenge of fluctuating weather conditions, the project progressed smoothly without disruption to the school’s operations.

Results

The new Metrotile Slate .9 roof has provided Walney School with long-term protection against coastal weathering, ensuring resilience to salt spray and harsh winds. The sleek Charcoal finish gives the school a refreshed, modern appearance, while the enhanced insulation and durable build guarantee compliance with current standards and improved efficiency.

With phase one complete, there is scope for a second phase of work to upgrade the remaining pitched roofs — ensuring the entire school benefits from Metrotile’s lightweight strength and coastal protection.

Do you live on the coast and could benefit from the additional security of Metrotile’s coastal coated tiles?