The use of Catnic’s SSR2 standing seam roofing and cladding system has created a stunning roof finish for a contemporary new-build extension in rural West Lothian. It provides a striking contrast to the original farm outbuilding, which was restored and converted to housing in the 1980s.
Originally constructed about 125 years ago, the main house, which covers an area of 165m2, was formerly an outbuilding to the nearby farmhouse. Its traditionally restored rubble stone walls are complemented by an orange pantiled roof, retaining the building’s original architectural heritage.
When the owner approached Bathgate-based architectural practice, Hardie Associates, the brief was to create a new-build extension that would house a kitchen, dining, family room to the ground floor, with a master bedroom at first floor level.
Designed as a storey and a half construction, the new extension sits adjacent to the main building, forming a contemporary addition to the historic original. The timber frame cavity walling is finished in a sharp off-white render and larch timber cladding. The exterior is punctuated with large aluminium clad timber windows in a grey finish, ensuring the rural views are maximised.
For the roofing, the designers looked for a modern contrast to create a striking complement. Myra Hardie of Hardie Associates explained: “We were introduced to the Catnic SSR2 Standing Seam Roofing and Cladding system by a local roofing merchant and it appealed to us as a viable alternative to traditional sheet lead or zinc as a roof finish.
“It has provided a sleek finish; one that works both with the traditional finishes of the old building and the more contemporary finishes featured on the new extension.”
Working together with Stewart MacDonald of McDonald Roofing Contracts, based in Armadale in West Lothian, the team worked up the roofing detail. He explained: “A 48-degree roof pitch has been created using the Catnic SSR2 as well as a flat roof element. The product is really versatile and good to install too from both a handling and speed perspective.”
The homeowner is said to be really pleased with the new extension and especially the finish on the roof and added: “We had originally considered a slate or tiled roof but we are very glad we decided on the SSR2 system. It provides exactly the sharp finish we were looking for to ensure that there was a clear separation between the old stone house and the ultra-modern addition. The detailing of the vertical panels at the rear of the house and the square guttering and downpipes all add to the clean finish, which would not have been possible with a slate or tile finish.”
