Project Profile: St. Joes University – ACG Roofing & SM

Project Scope:

• Re-roof in natural slate. Involving graduated slates varying from 1” thickness to ¼” thickness. 
• Mixed colors 80% green, 15% purple, and 5% unfading gray.

Building information: 

Barbelin / Longergan Hall is the Flagship building on St. Joe’s Philadelphia campus. Completed in 1927, the structure was the first building on campus and is known for it’s 165ft tower. The building spent it’s first 90 years as a dorm and an academic building. Now it is currently being used exclusively as the University’s Arts & Sciences building.

The entirety of the roof will be replaced over time in many phases. We were lucky enough to get close up to a particular building section for pictures and video.

One of the main challenges faced on this project are the layout of the slates and the handling and trimming of the very thick lower stones. For slates this thick, you can see the technique of pre punching your line and then finalizing the trimming with a slate hammer. A Stortz 83-B Slate Hammer is shown being used below.

A second challenge which is not obvious in the pictures and video is the concrete decking that exists on the entire building. All of the copper nails are being driven into concrete as opposed to a wood decking. 

Matching the old ornamental copper on the roof requires some skillful break work.

Of course a healthy dose of soldering is required on the copper flashings.

The Alpine PD10 Snow Guards were the preferred choice for snow retention. These guards have a low profile, classic look and are nailed in between slates approximately every 2 feet. The long flexible strap makes installation easy.