Ward Topdek, the all-in-one single ply insulated roofing panel, was the chosen material for the new Oak Grove College in West Sussex.

The college, which opened its doors to 256 secondary pupils aged 11-19 late last year, is one of the largest generic special schools in Britain. Over 5000m2 of Ward Topdek, in copper green, was specified for the roof which incorporated many different levels and a variety of rooflights.

Ward Topdek is a factory pre-engineered composite roof panel that facilitates faster onsite assembly. It comprises a proven high performance single-ply PVC outer membrane integrally bonded to a Firesafe rigid PIR insulation core, approved to LPBC standards. A steel trapezoidal profile inner deck provides structural strength.

As an all in one single ply roofing solution, Topdek replaces the three-stage process of laying deck, insulation and membrane with one simple installation process. A new self-coring screw - unique to Topdek - speeds the installation process even further. Conventional fixing required a core of insulation to be removed, a self-tapping screw to be fixed then the core replaced prior to the welding of the side-lap. Now, in one simple operation, the selfcoring screw eliminates these three steps. Plus compared to traditional built up roofing systems, Topdek is proving to be up to 50% faster to install.

The Contractor, Willmott Dixon, specified Topdek for this reason first and foremost in additional to the panel's excellent thermal performance and air leakage qualities.