Roofing solutions for the education sector. Surveys, liquid-applied systems and rooftop energy for schools, colleges and universities.
Education estates carry decades of building history, from post-war flat roofs to recent campus expansion. Tight capital budgets, term-time occupancy and the need to keep disruption to a minimum all shape what a roofing programme has to deliver.
The roofing issues these buildings face. Ageing flat roofs, water ingress and poor thermal performance across a mixed estate.
Many education buildings date from the 1950s to the 1990s, built quickly and to the standards of their day. Roofs from that era are now at or beyond their intended service life, and the most common faults tend to appear long before a full replacement is due.
Cut edge corrosion
Exposed sheet edges on metal roofs corrode over time, lifting coatings and spreading rust across the sheet.
Gutters and drainage
Blocked or undersized gutters hold water at roof level, raising the risk of overflow into the rooms below.
Cracks and splits
Older felt and asphalt roofs become brittle and split, opening direct paths for water into the structure.
Standing water
Flat roofs that no longer drain cleanly pond after rainfall, accelerating membrane breakdown.
UV degradation
Sunlight breaks down older membranes and coatings, leaving them dry, shrunken and prone to failure.
Thermal movement
Daily heating and cooling works joints and laps loose, particularly on long roof runs over halls and sports blocks.
Foot traffic
Plant maintenance and cabling work wear unprotected roof surfaces around access routes.
Moss and overgrowth
Moss and debris trap moisture against the roof and block outlets, holding water where it does most harm.
Two issues specific to the school estate. RAAC and asbestos both shape how work on older buildings is planned.
Buildings from the mid-twentieth century can contain materials that need careful handling. Neither rules out roof renewal, but both change the sequence of work, the survey requirements and the way a project is programmed around the school year.
RAAC
Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) was used as a lightweight roof and floor material in public buildings from the 1950s to the 1990s. In 2023 the Department for Education asked schools to identify and, where necessary, vacate buildings containing RAAC. Where it is present, roof condition and loading need to be understood before any overlay or renewal is specified, and findings are shared with the school's structural advisers.
Asbestos
Asbestos-containing materials were common in construction until the UK ban in 1999 and are still present in many education buildings. Surveys identify it before work begins so that the roofing programme is planned around it. Removal itself is carried out by licensed specialists; the roofing scope is sequenced to follow their work safely rather than disturb it.
A system for every roofing problem. Liquid-applied waterproofing chosen to suit the building and the timetable.
Liquid-applied systems renew a roof in place, without the noise, fumes and disruption of a strip-and-replace. Low-odour formulations cure quickly, some within about thirty minutes, and can be applied in temperatures down to 1°C, which keeps work moving through the cooler months and around term dates. A correctly specified system carries a service life of thirty years or more, with cover available through Basecare for up to twenty-five years.
New and existing roofs
Suitable for refurbishment and new build alike, bonding to most existing substrates without a full strip-off.
Low to no odour
Low-odour and solvent-free options are designed for occupied buildings, so teaching can continue alongside the work.
Fast curing
Rapid-cure systems resist rainfall soon after application and shorten the time a roof stays open.
Built to last
Seamless, flexible finishes carry long service lives and stand up to weather, movement and foot traffic.
Flooring built for school life. Resin systems for the spaces that take the heaviest use.
The same building fabric expertise extends to floors. Resin systems give a seamless, hard-wearing finish across the areas of a school that see constant traffic, spills and cleaning.
Sports halls
Durable, marked finishes that take heavy use and frequent cleaning while staying safe underfoot.
Science labs
Chemical-resistant surfaces that shrug off spills and wipe down cleanly between lessons.
Kitchens and canteens
Hygienic, slip-resistant floors that meet the demands of food preparation and high footfall.
Corridors and stairwells
Seamless coatings that resist wear along the busiest routes and lay down with minimal closure time.
More from the roof than weatherproofing. Where loading allows, a roof renewal is also a chance to add value.
A roof under renewal is the natural moment to consider what else it can carry. Both options below depend on the building's structure and are assessed against roof loading before anything is specified.
Rooftop solar
Renewing a roof creates a sound, watertight base for rooftop solar. For an estate working towards the Department for Education's sustainability and climate goals, generating power on site can reduce running costs and carbon at the same time.
Green roofs
A green roof adds insulation, manages rainfall and supports biodiversity, which is now a planning consideration for much new development in England. On suitable buildings it also gives pupils a visible, teachable example of sustainability in practice.
Both are viable only where roof loading allows, which the survey confirms before any system is specified.
From problem to solution and beyond. Survey, specify, install and maintain, with one point of accountability.
Roofing surveys
Drone and thermal-imaging surveys assess condition, find hidden moisture and document defects without disrupting the school day.
System installations
A vetted contractor network installs to specification, so the warranty and the workmanship hold up over the life of the roof.
Maintenance plans
Planned inspections and minor repairs keep a renewed roof performing and protect the guarantee behind it.
RAAC assessment and remediation
Where RAAC is present, condition and loading are assessed and findings shared with structural advisers before roofing work is specified.
Ready to start?
Tell us about the building and the timetable, and we will recommend the right survey and system for the estate.
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