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    Meierhof
    delta

    Renovation of the roof with traditional craftsmanship

    Located opposite the church in the centre of the village, the old Meierhof near Vechta in Germany has been the jewel in the community for many years since the second half of the 18th century. However, in the course of the past few decades, the building has stood empty, and its existing structure has received too little attention. The Low German Fachhallenhaus is currently being entirely refurbished as by 2020 apartments and offices will find their place here. However, it is a long way to go before the interior work can be completed to the thatched roof if you consider the current structural requirements as well as the monument protection.

    Name Meierhof
    Location Near Vechta
    Country Germany
    Installer Büssing, Vechta
    Products DELTA®-MAXX PLUS, DELTA®-MULTI-BAND, DELTA®-THAN
    Year 2020

    “For a long time, the Meierhof was in a deplorable condition, and it is a real challenge to get the run-down property back in shape.” This was the conclusion of architect Klaus Keller before the beginning of the work. The first work resulted from a renovation backlog, from work carried out in the meantime with cement plaster and from errors of other kind, such as painting with emulsion paint on the east gable erected in 1848, had to be removed and/or repaired, and the extensive work on this gable is an example of the consequences an incorrect construction work may produce. The paint had destroyed some historic bricks which then had to be replaced during the renovation work.

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    Der Meierhof vor der Sanierung
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    Der Meierhof vor der Sanierung

    Already during the planning phase, the client and the architect agreed that a great part of the work would have to be executed by using traditional craftsmanship. Keller: “It couldn't be done in a different way.” Nevertheless, they set themselves the objective of having the renovation work completed by autumn 2020.

    In the late spring of 2019, the craftsmen carrying out the renovation work turned their attention to the roof structure since it had to be structurally upgraded and reinforced with a new construction with a standing chair made of larch wood. This had to occur before covering the roof with thatch according to all the rules of traditional craftsmanship. The work on the roof lasted until early autumn. What is noteworthy in this context is that the different heights of the rafters in the substructure needed a partial compensation. In the long term, this was the more sensible solution since - by simply levelling out the unevenness with reed - you could flush out. And this can influence the long shelf life of the reed.

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    Der Meierhof von oben
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    DELTA®-MAXX PLUS in der Anwendung

    The second fundamental aspect for the roofers of the company Büssing in Vechta consisted of observing the current structural requirements and the materials used during the renovation work. Among others, the building owner and the planner chose the extremely tear-resistant  DELTA®-MAXX PLUS, underlay membrane offering a long-term protection against moisture. It is a tried and tested product made of storable polyester fleece with a waterproof, vapour-permeable PU coating and an effective sealing self-adhesive edge interrupting the penetration of wind and moisture and permitting the creation of an energy-efficient roof construction. Furthermore, the craftsmen at the Meierhof agreed that they would like to work with the product DELTA®-MAXX PLUS because thanks to its light weight and flexibility it can be applied with little effort, cut precisely, and attached by simply tacking it on.

    The underlay membrane is laid from bottom to top with the overlap positioned in parallel to the eaves and fixed to the rafters in each case. The underlay membrane ends at the bottom with the self-adhesive edge which is positioned below the eaves board in this case. During the next step, the dividing strips positioned on the underside are peeled off and the underlay membranes are secured by means of counter battens after having been glued. In the connecting areas, the roofing professionals achieved wind-proofness by masking them with the tried and tested product DELTA®-MULTI-BAND and/or DELTA®-THAN.

    DELTA®-MAXX PLUS

    It only took three days to cover the pitched roof with DELTA®-MAXX PLUS and - due to the distinctive red of the underlay membrane - it became a shining eye-catcher until it was finally covered with thatch. The work on the roof will be continued until autumn since the thatched roofers will be busy laying the thatch on the roof area of 800 sqm by binding the natural product to the roof structure, layer by layer from the eaves to the ridge by means of traditional tools and special wires, while the shining red colour of the DELTA®-MAXX PLUS slowly disappears under the thatched roof. 

    The complexity of the renovation of the interior will just be as that of the exterior. It is foreseeable that the old Meierhof will become a “jewel” in the centre of the community with its golden thatched roof and renovated façade. The same can be said about the fact that this building in the centre of the village will enhance the appearance of the community.