Installation: Trinity Church, Unthank Road

The city end of Unthank Road is dominated by the looming neo-gothic architecture of the Roman Catholic cathedral. Those who prefer a more modernist approach to church design don’t have to walk far. Right next door is the Trinity United Reformed Church with its distinctive green lantern tower. Trinity URC was built only half a century after the Cathedral, but a lot changed in the world of architecture between 1910 and 1956.

Copper Roof

The first thing an observer will notice about Trinity URC is its green copper roof. Part of the Norwich skyline now for 60 years and deliberately echoing the lantern clock tower of the slightly older Norwich City Council building that overlooks the market. When left exposed to the elements, chemical reactions cause the outermost layer of the metal to turn green. This green layer is known as a patina.

So often, when we find ourselves on a church roof, it is to replace lead that has been stolen by thieves. In this instance, however, the roof was failing and needed to be replaced.

  We replaced the copper roof of Trinity URC with a modern Glass Reinforced Plastic roof. We colour matched the patina so the church would still have its iconic green roof, but without the expense of replacing the copper.

We were pretty high up! In the background of this image you can make out the carpark of the Georgian Townhouse pub across the road from the church.

If your roof has been damaged or you would like advice on replacing costly metal roofing with an advanced GRP system, please don’t hesitate to get in touch for a free roof assessment. Contact our office on 01603 418818 or email enquiries@roofsuk.co.uk.

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