The Sky's the Limit: Finding a Solution for Drumearn's Temporary Roof
We've reached an exciting project milestone: the temporary roof is on!
It soon became clear when we were planning this restoration that we’d need to find a way of protecting Drumearn House from the elements. The Scottish winter is unforgiving, so we knew we’d have to find a way to cover the structure as we stripped out the roof tiles.
Thankfully, Drumearn House’s owners have extensive experience in construction. While temporary roof structures are common across Scandinavia, the concept of completely wrapping a building in scaffolding with a weatherproof cover is less frequently seen in the UK.
This was going to be a complex undertaking, needing detailed engineering drawings and precise calculations. After consulting with several contractors to discuss the project’s requirements, it became clear that Access Solutions Scaffolding (A/S/S) was the ideal partner for the job. Based in Cumbernauld, this family-owned company is known for their professional, hassle-free approach and technical expertise.
The goal was to install a sliding roof cover that could open to allow crane access for lifting materials into the structure. But, because Drumearn House is a Category B-listed building, we had to make sure we did it without attaching any direct anchors or ties.
Instead, to secure the scaffolding, we needed to use counterweights around the building’s perimeter to hold the roof cover in place. We had considered using 1000-litre IBC water tanks for ballast, but due to challenges with filling and later disposing of the water, this approach was deemed impractical. Then, in collaboration with the team at A/S/S, we landed on the idea of concrete ballast blocks as a more efficient and sustainable solution.
What’s more, working alongside our ecologist, we had to make sure that the scaffolding wouldn’t interfere with the local bat population. For this reason, we’ve left the lower levels of the structure open, allowing wildlife to move freely throughout the site.
By enclosing the entire building beneath this carefully planned temporary roof, we’ve created a warm, dry, controlled workspace. Now we can get on with the task of removing old slates and replacing the timber, no matter how ferocious the wintry weather.
