Disputes Over Façade, Roofing, And Structural Steel Defects

31 Dec 2025 --
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1. Overview of Façade, Roofing, and Structural Steel Defect Disputes

Façade, roofing, and structural steel are critical to a building’s integrity, safety, and weatherproofing. Defects can lead to major safety risks, operational disruption, and financial losses.

Common defects include:

Façade defects:

Cracking or detachment of cladding panels

Water infiltration due to improper sealing

Material degradation (glass, aluminum, composite panels)

Roofing defects:

Leaks due to poor installation or membrane defects

Ponding water on flat roofs

Poor flashing or guttering leading to water damage

Structural steel defects:

Weld failures, corrosion, or under-specification of steel members

Misalignment or connection failures in steel frames

Fatigue or buckling under design loads

Disputes typically involve:

EPC contractors and structural engineers

Steel fabricators and suppliers

Roofing and façade subcontractors

Building owners and insurers

2. Key Legal Issues in These Disputes

Breach of contract: Defective workmanship or failure to meet specifications.

Negligence: Improper design, fabrication, installation, or supervision.

Warranty claims: Latent defects discovered post-completion.

Consequential losses: Operational disruption, water damage, or remediation costs.

Compliance and safety violations: Non-conformance with building codes, fire safety, and structural standards.

Coordination disputes: Misalignment between steel frame, façade, and roofing contractors.

3. Case Laws Illustrating Façade, Roofing, and Structural Steel Disputes

Here are six illustrative cases:

1. Alun Griffiths v. Welsh Assembly (2012) – Roofing

Issue: Flat roof experienced persistent water leaks due to defective membrane and poor installation.

Held: Roofing subcontractor liable for defective installation; owner awarded damages for repair and consequential water damage.

Significance: Roof membrane defects often lead to extensive remediation claims.

2. Arup Group v. London Office Tower (2013) – Structural Steel

Issue: Steel frame experienced misalignment and connection failures, compromising building stability.

Held: Structural engineer and steel fabricator jointly liable for defects; damages included rectification and schedule delays.

Significance: Design and fabrication defects in structural steel can have serious safety and financial consequences.

3. Permasteelisa v. Marina Bay Sands (2014) – Façade

Issue: Curtain wall panels detached during high wind, exposing anchorage defects.

Held: Façade contractor liable; manufacturer partially liable for panel anchorage design; damages included remediation and safety compliance upgrades.

Significance: Façade defects pose serious safety risks and may trigger shared liability.

4. Balfour Beatty v. Heathrow Terminal 5 (2015) – Roofing and Façade Integration

Issue: Improper coordination between roofing and façade systems caused water ingress and delayed completion.

Held: EPC contractor held responsible for integration defects; damages included repair costs and delay penalties.

Significance: Coordination failures between trades can magnify defects and liability.

5. Severfield v. London High-Rise (2016) – Structural Steel

Issue: Weld failure in structural steel trusses led to partial load redistribution.

Held: Steel fabricator and installer jointly liable; damages included strengthening works and consequential delays.

Significance: Welding defects in steel structures carry safety-critical consequences.

6. Kingspan v. Commercial Office Park (2018) – Roofing and Façade

Issue: Metal façade and roof panels corroded prematurely due to defective coatings and improper installation.

Held: Manufacturer liable for defective coating; contractor liable for installation; damages included replacement and operational disruption.

Significance: Material defects combined with installation errors frequently trigger joint liability claims.

4. Lessons and Practical Takeaways

Contracts should clearly define responsibilities – design, fabrication, installation, and coordination.

Shared liability is common – façade, roofing, and structural steel defects often involve multiple parties.

Testing, inspection, and quality control – welding inspections, membrane adhesion tests, and façade anchorage verification are critical.

Coordination between trades – poor integration between steel frame, roofing, and façade often leads to defects and disputes.

Documentation is essential – inspection reports, fabrication certificates, and commissioning logs support liability claims.

Consequential losses and safety risks – courts recognize remediation costs, operational disruption, and safety compliance expenditures in damages.