A mid-1960s detached house that sits on the scenic Gower coastline has undergone a major renovation.
The transformation features the architect’s signature style with Catnic Urban steel standing seam roofing and cladding on the cantilevered two-storey extension, bringing the property up-to-date and enhancing its modern curb appeal.
“It was the view we fell in love with,” explains the homeowners Jake and Elfina, “the house itself needed a lot of work but we saw the potential to create a wonderful contemporary, family home. A key priority for us was ensuring durability and low maintenance – being on the coast exterior materials really take a battering.”
When the couple purchased the original three-bedroom property just after lockdown, the brick-render home included tired painted timber cladding, stonework typical of its era and a failing, flat roof side extension. Their objective was to extend, make the best use of the available space and give it a fresh, new identity.
Raum Architects, based in Mumbles, was commissioned by the couple to re-imagine the house. To give the property its own, distinct style in the same way the original 1960s house was architecturally of its time.
Architects Dan and Helen Belton explain: “Extending an already substantial property with a significant addition is always challenging. Through experience, the way we achieve this successfully, especially at two storeys, is to give the new structure its own unique character, and then visually link it to the original house. There was already a single-storey form there, albeit a slightly different shape. We created a new first floor, adding about 45 sqm to the floor area.”
Purposefully contrasting, the now two-storey structure combines Catnic Urban standing seam metal roofing and cladding with Cotswold Limestone stone, Marziale brick and Western Red Cedar timber cladding.
They continue: “With the exterior finishes, it was key that whilst we weren’t replicating those applied originally, we were taking the essence of the materials used and adding a modern spin in terms of texture and colour. Taking the roof as an example, the original house featured slate tiles. Whilst we used slate on the main part of the house, we specified Catnic Urban roofing in a warm grey for the extension. The standing seam finish ties in and at the same time provides that contemporary element.”
The husband and wife architectural team is no stranger to Catnic Urban roofing and cladding and tends to incorporate it into many of their projects. On this project, the standing seam profile works especially well as an outer shell. It’s an exceptionally exposed location and the Catnic Urban, which is BBA & UKCA certified, provides that protective envelope, a shield against the harsh elements.
Pitched in proportion to the original house, which was raised, largely to incorporate an additional storey of bedroom accommodation, the extension roof, internally, creates a 3.5m high vaulted ceiling and provides the first-floor master bedroom with a breathtaking sea view.
Available in the most popular RAL and BS colours for a seamless finish with metal window frames or doors, as well as a wide range of colour-matched accessories. The architects explain how they arrived at the particular colour for this project: “We’ve worked with Catnic Urban before and it’s great to be able to select the colour for each project with samples readily available. In this instance, we chose quite a warm grey called Merlin, which we find reflects the sky really well. It actually looks a lot lighter when it’s up.”
Originally on the extension’s exterior walls, Raum Architects specified Western Red Cedar cladding on the main house, but the clients decided to use standing seam cladding instead, as Jake explains: “We did our research and found the quality and colour of the Catnic Urban for the budget was perfect. Plus, durability was particularly important. As we’re in a coastal location, we wanted something that would weather the extreme coastal conditions we experience here. It’s provided a superb finish and real value for money, we’re very pleased.”
Architects Dan and Helen reinforce this sentiment: “We didn’t consider any other standing seam option. We use Catnic Urban on almost every project. It’s such a versatile material and has always worked out as a straightforward solution. Often, we find contractors are reticent to deviate from their preferred material which, around here, tends to be slate or concrete tiles. However, once they are fully trained by Catnic and try it, they are converted and happy with the outcome.”
The main contractor, Swansea-based HJO Developments worked closely with Raum Architects during the construction to achieve an award-winning level of finish.
The directors of HJO Developments (Simon Orr and Christopher Jenkins) have an accumulated military service of over 51 years, so they were well-equipped to tackle the challenge of learning new skills and working with a new material. Chris is in charge of running all of HJO Developments building sites; he explains: “I enjoy the prospect of working with different materials so when the architects Dan and Helen specified Catnic Urban, I promptly booked myself on to a training course at Catnic’s training facility along with our carpenters, Luke Howard and Alan Rees.
“We’d definitely recommend doing the course. It was hugely beneficial. The content and delivery are first class as is the follow-up support. You learn what equipment is required and the skills to install the roof, all critical to the final result and a successful installation. It also provided us with useful contacts within Catnic to discuss any issues that might arise.
“The ordering system was easy to use with support from Catnic, allowing us to specify our requirements and order everything within a week. As part of the initial design and ordering process, all of the connecting detail between the different materials was discussed at length and a solution agreed upon with the Catnic team before ordering.”
In a two to three-week timescale, the HJO Developments team installed 137 sqm of the 514mm profile, which is better suited to the harsh weather conditions experienced within the Gower area. The design was a large 42-degree duo-pitched roof with two walls clad to match the roof, tying into a large overhanging balcony area finished in Western Red Cedar.
“The Catnic Urban is a nice product and once you know what you’re doing with it, creates a very contemporary finish. We all very much enjoyed working with the product,” concludes Chris.
With a 25-year Confidex Home Guarantee, Catnic Urban (previously known as Colorcoat Urban) is a light-weight, versatile standing seam roof and wall cladding system. Made in the UK from pre-finished steel, it is rated A+ under BRE certification, meaning it has the lowest overall environmental impact.
It is also available with Catnic SolarSeam, a bonded solar panel integration or supplied with clips for traditional crystalline solar panels.