Copper & Lead Sheathing replaced with GRP

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.