Photo courtesy of WeatherGuard Roofing Co. LLC, Schenectady, N.Y., a Tecta America company
Photo courtesy of WeatherGuard Roofing Co. LLC, Schenectady, N.Y., a Tecta America company
Photo courtesy of WeatherGuard Roofing Co. LLC, Schenectady, N.Y., a Tecta America company
Photo courtesy of WeatherGuard Roofing Co. LLC, Schenectady, N.Y., a Tecta America company
Photo courtesy of WeatherGuard Roofing Co. LLC, Schenectady, N.Y., a Tecta America company
Photo courtesy of WeatherGuard Roofing Co. LLC, Schenectady, N.Y., a Tecta America company
Saratoga Race Course opened in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., in 1863 and is the oldest operating racetrack in the U.S. The race course's whitewashed, Victorian-era architecture make it historically significant, and nearly 1 million people come to see the horses race each year.
In 2007, the New York Racing Association (NYRA), which has operated the race course for more than 50 years, launched a $1.3 million improvement program, which included renovating the race course's horse barns and replacing the existing copper roof system on the race course's clubhouse.
The age of the clubhouse's 10,000-square-foot roof system could not be determined, and it was beyond repair. NYRA retained WeatherGuard Roofing Co. LLC, Schenectady, N.Y., a Tecta America company, to replace the clubhouse's failing roof system.
The process
Work began on the clubhouse's roof system in June 2007.
"We were asked to replace the existing 16-ounce copper standing-seam roof system and associated trims with a new copper roof system that exactly matched the existing roof system," says Steve Bradt, WeatherGuard Roofing's project manager.
WeatherGuard Roofing's six-man crew removed the existing copper standing-seam roof system and replaced the existing tongue-and-groove deck.
"We installed No. 30 felt and No. 4 rosin paper," Bradt says. "We then installed Revere Copper Products' 16-ounce copper with 1-inch double-lock standing-seam architectural panels, which were fabricated on-site with a roll-former. Tapered panels were shop-fabricated and installed in areas where the roof bends around the radius."
All panels were installed using clips fastened 12 inches maximum on center with 2 copper nails per clip.
And safety precautions, which included personal fall-arrest systems, were taken during work on the roof system.
"We installed a complete scaffold system at the roof's eaves," Bradt says.
Historic challenges
NYRA's biggest priority during renovations was maintaining the race course's historical appearance.
"The integrity of the architecture and its historical character were paramount," says Charles Wheeler, NYRA's Saratoga facility manager.
Matching the new roof system to the existing roof system proved to be one of the biggest challenges WeatherGuard Roofing faced during this project.
"Matching the construction design was challenging," Bradt says. "We had to take measurements and document the existing construction before tearing off the existing roof system. Seam spacing and panel size had to be considered."
Additionally, WeatherGuard Roofing had to match the new copper fascia with that on the existing roof system.
Bradt says: "We curved the copper fascia by roll-forming it and installed it with stainless-steel clips.
"We also had to replicate the egg-and-dart detail (egg-shaped ornaments alternated with dart-shaped ornaments) featured on the existing fascia's bottom edge," he continues.
But Bradt enjoyed meeting the challenges the historic building presented.
"Working in a historic atmosphere and facility made the project unique," Bradt says.
A new season
Replacement of the roof system on Saratoga Race Course's clubhouse was completed in July 2007, ahead of schedule, and NYRA kicked off the race course's 139th racing season with the debut of the completed renovations.
"People were ecstatic when they saw some of the improvements around the facilities," Wheeler says.
"We take great pride in being part of the historical restoration and design of national treasures such as the Saratoga Race Course," says Jeff Thomas, president of WeatherGuard Roofing.
Ashley St. John is Professional Roofing's associate editor.
Project name: Saratoga Race Course's clubhouse
Project location: Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Project duration: June 2007-July 2007
Roof system type: Copper standing-seam roof panels
Roofing contractor: WeatherGuard Roofing Co. LLC, Schenectady, N.Y., a Tecta America company
Roofing manufacturer: Revere Copper Products, Rome, N.Y.
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