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Straddling Oxford Road and Whitworth Street in Manchester city
centre, the massive ‘Palace’ hotel, former home of
the Refuge Assurance Society, dominates the skyline.
Bearing three towers, each with a unique copper sheathed cupola, the owners were
aware of the importance of maintaining the quality and style of this popular
landmark. The tallest and most prominent clock tower had been traditionally re-sheathed
in copper in the late 1960’s, but the heavy cost and the already obvious
signs of rapid degradation prompted them to consider alternatives for the two
subordinate cupolas.
Harviglass were initially consulted about the feasibility of moulding a replacement
shell, but advised a much quicker, less expensive, yet equally durable, solution
by direct application of GRP laminate to the existing copper substrate. This
was rapidly completed. |
| Although subject to dry weather being guaranteed for the few
days of application, this method offers several benefits. The
thin wet GRP membrane reproduces the authentic line of the copper
sheets beneath. The immensely strong GRP laminate makes an impervious
shield against weather, chemical and bird attack, and the genuine ‘verdigris’ colour
of weathered copper can be faithfully reproduced.
Furthermore, access is simple as no large sheets
of material are required on site and minimal safety scaffolding
is sufficient. The normally smooth GRP finish is deliberately
left slightly matt and irregular to allow the laminate to streak
and weather authentically within weeks, making it identical to
the ‘real’ cupola on the adjacent tower. Lead sheathed
roofs can be treated in exactly the same way. |
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