NRCA members receive Gold Circle Awards for outstanding roofing projects

Each year since 1995, NRCA has honored outstanding contributions to the roofing industry with Gold Circle Awards, which recognize NRCA members who have met standards of achievement in four categories: outstanding workmanship, innovative solutions, service to the community and service to the industry.

At NRCA's 120th Annual Convention in Las Vegas, 2007 Gold Circle Awards were given to NRCA members for their community involvement, creative solutions and challenging projects. This year, there were no winners in the categories of service to the industry, outstanding workmanship—low slope and innovative solutions—new construction. Following are descriptions of the winning projects.

Gold Circle Award category: Outstanding workmanship—steep slope
Recipient: The Durable Slate Co., Columbus, Ohio
Project: First Congregational Church, Akron, Ohio
Roof system type: Slate

First Congregational Church, Akron, Ohio, is a historical landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places. The church, with limestone walls and century-old stained glass, is appreciated by the entire community.

The church's slate roof system had been replaced with asphalt shingles in the 1970s, and much of the decorative copper on the monitor, copper ridges and valleys was removed. Although the ridges and valleys had been replaced, the installation had not been successful and resulted in leaks.

When plans were made to restore the church's roof system and match its original appearance, the project required affecting the building as little as possible.

Making a match

The Durable Slate Co., Columbus, Ohio, was chosen to restore the roof system on the First Congregational Church. The company installed more than 150 squares of Evergreen Slate's variegated purple slate, as well as an underlayment. The company also replaced all the copper valleys, ridges, box-gutter liners and finials, as well as low-slope roof systems.

One special aspect of the project was using historical photos to reconstruct the original crenellated parapet, which had been removed from the roof's monitor, a raised section of a roof that has louvers or windows on the side for ventilation or light.

Photo courtesy of The Durable Slate Co., Columbus, Ohio First Congregational Church, Akron, Ohio

"The monitor installation was unique," says Gary Howes, executive vice president of The Durable Slate Co. "At the time this project was presented to us, the monitor had been covered with modern materials and all the original detail in its design had been lost. The windows had been boarded up, and the appearance of the building had been changed because of alterations to the monitor. The restoration of this feature restored the building's character."

"This monitor restoration required a lot of copper work," says Cherie Downey, director of public relations for The Durable Slate Co. "The craftspeople, by referencing grainy black-and-white photos, had to deduce structural details that couldn't be seen and piece them together to reproduce the design."

The copper cornice, architrave and trim also were reconstructed to match the original appearance. Copper components for the monitor and ridges were handcrafted in The Durable Slate Co.'s shop and taken to the job site. All other copper work was fabricated on-site.

No easy task

Time constraints were an obstacle during the project.

"In addition to the exterior restoration, which had to be completed first, there was more restoration work to be done inside the building," Downey says. "This work had to be completed in time for the delivery and reinstallation of the pipe organ, which had been sent to Quebec for restoration. These were no ordinary time constraints because they required working on the roof system restoration during the winter months—not an easy undertaking in northeastern Ohio with lake-effect snow bearing down on Akron."

The weather issues and building size also presented challenges for the company.

"The crew had to place tarps over the roof at the end of every day and shovel snow off the roof and scaffolding almost every morning," says Matt Wolf, The Durable Slate Co.'s assistant vice president of production. "The sheer size of the building and keeping track of where everyone was and what they were doing also was challenging."

Working over the stained-glass dome beneath the monitor presented a different type of difficulty.

"Heating and cooling equipment had to be removed, along with a false floor and artificial lighting," Downey says. "A temporary floor and catwalk were constructed to protect the dome and provide access to the monitor while work was performed in that area. When the temporary floor was removed, the monitor, with its windows restored, allowed natural light to illuminate the dome once again."

A measure of quality

Restoring a historical building that is important to the community was rewarding.

"The congregation really seemed to appreciate the building and the work we put into it," Howes says. "The church was extremely involved during the process and had appropriated enough funds to do the job correctly and allow us to return the building to its original glory."

Recognition and appreciation from the industry also were rewarding.

"It always is inspiring to be recognized for your work," Wolf says. "So much of what we do goes unnoticed. This project was different in that it was visible and closely observed. To top that off with professional recognition from NRCA—from people who really understand the craft—is a spectacular feeling."

Howes says the award is a measuring stick that lets the company know it is keeping up with the industry.

"It lets us know where our standards and quality line up compared with all other projects," he says. "In the roofing industry, much attention is given to new technology and materials, so it is gratifying when the kind of traditional work we do and time-tested materials we use receive attention and recognition. We appreciate being honored by NRCA with this award."