Bungalow to Barn-Style: Catnic Urban Redefines a Rural Residence
The Trail, a contemporary barn-style new-build home in the rural Oxfordshire countryside, has been transformed with the installation of Catnic Urban standing seam roofing and cladding. This project replaced a 60-year-old bungalow with an outdated tiled roof, blending modern design with traditional influences while meeting planning requirements.
Inspiration and Design
Located in an area of vast, active farmland, The Trail’s exterior design was inspired by neighbouring corrugated steel and wood farm buildings. This agricultural theme is echoed in the combination of Catnic Urban steel powder-coated roofing and cladding contrasted with vertical timber boarding, providing a more sustainable alternative to the previous white render.
Homeowner Insights
Homeowners Jonathan and Karen shared their journey: “We set out looking for our ideal property in Oxfordshire and soon realized we would have to take on a significant renovation. This led us to The Trail.”
After purchasing the property, they approached Oxfordshire-based DP Architects with the aim of updating and reconfiguring the existing chalet-style bungalow, which had been extended multiple times. They sought a contemporary solution that focused on improving the layout of internal spaces and making the most of the property’s expansive garden.
“One day in the architect's office, we had an ‘aha’ moment. We realised there were more red lines than black on the plans, so we agreed to knock it down and start again! We did a lot of research, from Pinterest boards to home build magazines, and with our architect’s help, we refined the design and took it to the build stage. Catnic Urban was the perfect choice for its cost, aesthetic balance, and availability.”
Architectural Excellence
The new 510 square meters scheme retains a similar footprint to the original bungalow but is designed around open-plan living, with a kitchen, dining, and living space at its heart and four bedrooms in total.
James Kestell-Cornish, Director at DP Architects, commented, “This was the first time we specified Catnic Urban. Initially, we intended to use zinc, but Catnic proved to be more cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing. The range of colors allowed us to match with grey powder-coated aluminium windows and doors. The Catnic Urban system, with its comprehensive detailing and drawing pack, enabled straightforward specification for the contractor.”
The ridge of the roof was raised by 0.75m and the eaves by 0.35m to create extra living space in the roof, while the building’s single-storey design remains apparent at the front. Catnic Urban was used to create the roof and large gable forming the main entrance.
Seamless Integration
To the rear, two new full-height glazed gables create a light open living space and significant office space, connecting to the extensive gardens and a courtyard for outdoor living. Catnic Urban roofing and cladding were also installed on the roof and walls, with a hidden gutter creating a seamless look from ground level.
Experienced Catnic Urban roofing contractor, Steel Roof Installers UK, handled the gutter’s bespoke lining and incorporated contemporary flush Neo® rooflights. Owners Chris Bates and Andy Morris highlighted the system’s ease of installation, noting, “It’s a quick-fit system with invisible fixings developed for fast, simple on-site installation.”
Continued Excellence
Steel Roof Installers UK also completed phase two of the project – an automotive studio that blends seamlessly with the main house, combining Catnic Urban roofing and cladding with aluminium glazing.
Installed in 2017, homeowner Jonathan praised the Catnic Urban product, stating, “It’s worn well with no wear or tear. It was exactly the right choice for The Trail.”
Quality and Sustainability
With a 25-year Confidex® Home Guarantee, Catnic Urban is a lightweight, versatile standing seam roof and wall cladding system that is BBA & UKCA certified. Made in the UK from pre-finished steel, it is rated A+ under BRE certification for its low environmental impact. For those seeking sustainable solutions, it is also available with Catnic SolarSeam, a bonded solar panel integration or with clips for traditional crystalline solar panels.
Catnic Urban Trail House Case Study - Full Film
In this video, Jonathan and Karen take us through their journey, from seeking their ideal property to collaborating with DP Architects. Initially planning to update an extended chalet-style bungalow, they decided to start anew, focusing on a contemporary design that maximized the property's expansive garden.
