The Oatley House roof refurbishment highlights the advantages of specifying the Polyroof Protec Evolve System for heritage-sensitive, occupied buildings. Its cold-applied, ultra-low-odour formulation allowed installation without hot works, protecting residents while delivering a seamless, fully bonded waterproofing layer. The system’s flexibility enabled precise detailing around Grade II listed parapets and undulating stonework, while RapidCure technology accommodated intermittent weather conditions. By retaining the existing roof build-up and introducing a recovery layer, the project minimised waste, disruption, and noise, achieving a durable, long-lasting roof that respects the building’s historic character and ensures peace of mind for both occupants and specifiers.
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The Challenge
Oatley House, built in 1925, is a Grade II listed residential care facility comprising 70 apartments. The existing roofs over the main house and reception had deteriorated, with asphalt and chippings failing to prevent water ingress. Due to the building’s heritage status and active occupancy, any refurbishment needed to safeguard historical features while causing minimal disruption to residents.
The roof featured intricate detailing, including crenelated sandstone parapets and undulating surfaces, which prohibited full encapsulation or invasive interventions. Traditional methods such as torch-on felt or mechanically fixed membranes posed fire risks, would have generated odours, and necessitated disruptive removal of existing materials. Weather variability further complicated scheduling, with heavy rain and high summer temperatures affecting cure times. The project required a solution capable of addressing technical, aesthetic, and logistical constraints simultaneously.
The Solution
MLG UK selected the Polyroof Protec Evolve System, a cold-applied, ultra-low-odour liquid membrane that ensured safe installation within the occupied care home. Core testing confirmed that the existing roof build-up—comprising felt, asphalt, insulation, and a concrete deck—was suitable for overlay, eliminating the need for full strip-out and minimising material wastage and noise. A 25mm Polyroof Tissue-Therm recovery layer was added to normalise the substrate and provide a smooth surface for the liquid membrane.
Complex roof details, including parapets and junctions, were carefully prepared. Timber upstands were hand-built to accommodate historic stonework and finished with lead flashings after encapsulation with the foil-faced carrier layer and Protec Evolve resin. The system’s flexibility and seamless nature allowed precise application around undulating surfaces, internal and through-wall outlets, and other intricate features. RapidCure technology allowed the membrane to polymerise quickly, enabling works to continue around periods of rain, while summer inhibitors controlled cure times during high temperatures. Polyroof ProGrip Anthracite Grey walkways were installed to provide safe maintenance access without detracting from the roof’s visual appearance.
The Result
The completed roof delivers a robust, fully bonded, and durable waterproofing solution that futureproofs Oatley House whilst respecting its Grade II listed status. Residents experienced minimal disruption due to the overlay approach, low-odour formulation, and controlled scheduling. The Protec Evolve membrane achieved a seamless, visually coherent finish across all roof areas, precisely dressing historical parapets and detailing, while the inclusion of ProGrip walkways enhanced safety without compromising aesthetics.
The refurbishment successfully balanced heritage preservation with modern performance standards, providing peace of mind to the client and residents alike. With the building’s roof now fully waterproofed and protected against extreme weather, the installation exemplifies the benefits of liquid-applied roofing for heritage buildings: technically precise, visually discreet, and operationally considerate.
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