When the WeBuyCars Lansdowne Supermarket opened its doors in early 2026, it immediately became a landmark commercial development in the Western Cape.
Located on Doig Road on the Philippi and Lansdowne border in Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs, the facility spans an impressive 5.23 hectares and features a massive two-level indoor showroom capable of housing approximately 1,200 vehicles under cover.
As the largest vehicle supermarket of its kind in the Western Cape, the development required a roofing solution capable of performing across a substantial commercial footprint while withstanding the demanding environmental conditions associated with the Cape region.
For this project, Springlok 700 concealed-fix roofing systems by Youngman Roofing & Insulation were part of the roofing solution, demonstrating how such systems can successfully perform on large-scale commercial developments.
BUILDING AT A DIFFERENT SCALE
With approximately 27,000m² under roof, the WeBuyCars Lansdowne Supermarket is not a typical commercial building.
Projects of this size place significant demands on the roofing system. Large roof areas are continually exposed to wind loading, rainfall, thermal movement, and long-term environmental exposure. The roof must not only protect the building but also continue to perform reliably for years to come.
The location added another layer of complexity.
Positioned within Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs, the facility is exposed to seasonal winter storms, strong winds, and prolonged damp conditions.
These factors make roofing specification an important consideration during the design and construction process.
WHY SPRINGLOK 700 BY YOUNGMAN ROOFING AND INSULATION WAS SELECTED
Springlok 700 concealed-fix roofing profile by Youngman is designed for commercial and industrial applications where long-term performance is a priority.
Unlike traditional exposed-fix roofing systems, Youngman’s concealed-fix profile secures the roof sheeting using hidden fixings, creating clean architectural lines and supporting long-term roof performance.
The profile was designed to offer excellent resistance to wind uplift and to accommodate the natural movement that occurs over time across large roof areas.
For developments such as the WeBuyCars Lansdowne Supermarket, these characteristics make Springlok 700 by Youngman well suited to the demands of large commercial roofing applications. The roofing system was complemented by WIDEDEK 762 side cladding, creating a cohesive building envelope across the facility and maintaining a consistent architectural appearance.
Key Benefits of Springlok 700 Include:
- Concealed-fix design for clean roof aesthetics
- Designed to manage wind movement across large roof areas
- Reduced stress at fixing points over time
- Suitable for commercial and industrial applications
- Strong long-term roofing performance
The project serves as a practical example of how performance-driven roofing specifications contribute to the success of large commercial developments.
ROOFING FOR SOUTH AFRICAN CONDITIONS
Environmental conditions play a major role in roofing performance.
Projects located within the Western Cape must contend with seasonal rainfall, wind exposure, moisture, and changing temperatures throughout the year.
For this reason, roofing systems need to be selected with long-term performance in mind.
Springlok 700 concealed-fix by Youngman Roofing and Insulation has been developed for South African conditions and is suitable for a wide range of commercial and industrial applications where durability and reliability are important considerations.
The WeBuyCars Lansdowne Supermarket highlights how the right roofing profile can enhance the overall performance of a large commercial facility.
WHY MATERIAL SELECTION MATTERS ALONG THE COAST
One of the biggest challenges facing commercial developments in Cape Town is the long-term impact of moisture, wind exposure, and coastal environmental conditions on the building envelope.
For the WeBuyCars Lansdowne Supermarket, material selection formed an important part of the roofing specification. The project utilised approximately 18,800m² of Springlok 700 by Youngman in Obsidian Matt, manufactured from Clean COLORBOND® MATT steel in 0.53mm Total Coated Thickness (TCT). The project specification also included approximately 3,600 m² of Youngman WIDEDEK 762 side cladding in Obsidian Matt, creating a cohesive building envelope suited to the development’s scale and environmental demands.
Large commercial roof areas are expected to perform reliably for decades. Selecting premium roofing materials helps support long-term durability, appearance retention, and weather resistance, particularly in environments exposed to seasonal rainfall, damp conditions, and ongoing environmental exposure.
The specified material is supported by a manufacturer-backed warranty covering key performance aspects such as corrosion resistance, paint integrity, and colour stability. This provides additional confidence that the roofing and cladding systems have been selected with long-term performance in mind.
For large commercial developments, these considerations are an important part of protecting the asset’s long-term value.
The WeBuyCars Lansdowne Supermarket demonstrates how roofing specification is about more than simply covering a building. It is about selecting a roofing system designed to deliver reliable performance long after construction is complete.
A PROJECT BUILT THROUGH INDUSTRY COLLABORATION
Projects of this scale are made possible through the collaboration of multiple professional disciplines.
The WeBuyCars Lansdowne Supermarket project team included:
Main Contractor: Abbydale
Architect: MBK Architects
Quantity Surveyor: Quest Cost Consultants
Roofing Contractor: Premier Roofing
The involvement of the project team from the planning stages through to completion helped ensure that design requirements, construction objectives, and long-term building performance remained aligned.
QUESTIONS WE FREQUENTLY RECEIVE
WHY IS CONCEALED-FIX ROOFING OFTEN USED ON COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS?
Concealed-fix roofing systems by Youngman are widely used on commercial and industrial developments because they can be roll-formed in continuous lengths, making them ideal for large roof spans. They also provide clean architectural lines and support long-term weather performance and durability.
WHY IS CONCEALED-FIX ROOFING BENEFICIAL IN COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS?
Concealed-fix systems reduce exposed penetrations and improve long-term watertightness and wind uplift resistance, particularly within high-wind and coastal conditions.
WHAT MAKES SPRINGLOK 700 BY YOUNGMAN ROOFING AND INSULATION SUITABLE FOR LARGE COMMERCIAL PROJECTS?
The Springlok 700 concealed-fix system by Youngman was designed for commercial and industrial applications where wind performance, durability, and long-term roofing behaviour are key considerations.
WHY IS WIND PERFORMANCE IMPORTANT ON LARGE ROOF STRUCTURES?
Large roof areas experience greater environmental loading than smaller buildings. Roofing systems must therefore be designed to accommodate movement and perform under varying weather conditions.
WHY DOES ROOFING SPECIFICATION MATTER?
Roofing systems directly influence long-term building durability, operational continuity, maintenance requirements, thermal performance, and lifecycle costs.
SUPPORTING COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION ACROSS SOUTH AFRICA
The WeBuyCars Lansdowne Supermarket demonstrates how modern roofing systems contribute to the successful delivery of large-scale commercial developments.
As commercial facilities continue to grow in size and complexity, roofing systems are expected to do far more than provide weather protection. They must support durability, performance, and long-term reliability throughout the building’s life.
For Youngman Roofing & Insulation, projects such as Lansdowne showcase how Springlok 700 by Youngman continues to perform in demanding commercial environments where scale, durability, and wind performance matter.
TECHNICAL ROOFING SUPPORT FROM YOUNGMAN ROOFING & INSULATION
Youngman Roofing & Insulation supports project teams during the design and specification stages with technical guidance on:
- Roof profile selection
- Environmental exposure considerations
- Roofing and solar integration
- Long-term lifecycle planning
- Commercial roofing specification support
Access technical resources, datasheets, and roofing guidance here:
www.youngman.co.za/resource-hub/
For project support and specification assistance: Contact Us
