West Virginia Welcome Center
Follansbee TCS II® Provides Durability And Beauty For West Virginia Welcome Center
Follansbee® TCS II® terne-coated stainless steel was the roofing material chosen for a State of West Virginia Welcome Center in Williamstown. The $4.8 million project, prominently located at the first exit on Interstate 77, required a durable, long-lasting roofing product that would additionally serve as a key aesthetic component of the new structure, and the Follansbee material fit the bill perfectly.
The Follansbee TCS II material topping the 7,700 sq. ft. center features a soft, satin gray finish that complements the facility’s cut-stone facade, resulting in a classic, yet contemporary look for the welcome center. The mountainous terrain of the surrounding West Virginia landscape is further complemented by the roof’s alternating high peaks.
“Follansbee TCS II remains an excellent choice for building projects where both visual appeal and longevity are requirements,” said Edward Thomas, Follansbee vice president and general manager. “A Follansbee roof can last 50, 80 or even 100 years, making it as long-lasting of a roofing solution as is available today.”
The secret to the longevity of a Follansbee roof is the patented ZT Alloy® that it’s coated with. ZT Alloy is an electrochemically bonded coating of zinc and tin applied uniformly to both sides of Type 304 stainless steel, making it extremely resistant to corrosion. To date, TCS II has surpassed 25,000 hours of ASTM salt spray testing with no signs of red rust.
In addition to longevity, durability and visual appeal, TCS II also offers a variety of cool roofing benefits, including reduced heating and cooling requirements and subsequent energy savings.
“The roof looks great, and keeps the building cool on humid summer days,” said West Virginia State Tourism Director Betty Carver. “The center continues to attract visitors and tourists looking for a cool place to rest and get information.”
The interior of the welcome center, opening to high ceilings with wooden beams, incorporates a variety of unique amenities designed to accommodate the more than 90% of people who travel to West Virginia by car.
In addition to the usual restroom facilities and other standard features, the welcome center boasts an octagonal display area and unique touch screen that provides visitors with information on bus systems, recreational areas, parks and other interesting spots unique to West Virginia. The center – situated on 7.5 acres – additionally plays host to local bands, providing entertainment for the Williamstown community.
Construction on the facility began in October 2002 and was completed in 2004. The welcome center officially opened to the public in June 2004. Alpha Associates Inc., Martinsburg, WV, served as project architect while CTL Engineering, Morgantown, WV, served as engineer. The West Virginia Division of Highways is the facility owner.
The highly versatile TCS II can be tailored to a variety of design forms – from the traditional standing seam roof to vertical walls, barrel applications, shingles and customized sections in flat or spherical shapes. TCS II is solderable and virtually maintenance-free.
About Follansbee Steel
Follansbee® Steel offers a selection of highly corrosion-resistant architectural metals that meet the needs of new and retrofit commercial, institutional, residential and historic preservation projects. Follansbee materials include Terne II®, KlassicKolors®, TCS II® and TCS Satin™ that feature a proprietary ZT® (zinc/tin) alloy for performance and longevity. The company also fabricates materials with ZT alloy for architectural applications. For more information call (800) 624-6906 or visit www.follansbeeroofing.com.