Once complete, the roof will be twice its original size to allow all-weather protection for sports spectators and improved acoustics for concerts. A combination of solid and transparent roof coverings will allow natural light to shine through.

The cantilevered roof, measuring 84 meters at its deepest point, will be the longest of its type in the world and will cover every seat at the 60,000-capacity venue. Work has started on site and is scheduled to be complete during 2015 to host five matches of Rugby World Cup 2015.

During the first four months of the reconfiguration work, main contractor Balfour Beatty dismantled and removed the existing roof and floodlight towers.

An extensive cable net system now supports the new roof, which was built on the floor of the stadium before being lifted into position. A number of 600-tonne cranes operating within the stadium confines were used to lift the supporting roof steelwork into place.

The track on which Usain Bolt and Mo Farah won their medals at the 2012 Olympics has been covered in order to avoid damage from the cranes.

The roof steelwork is being fabricated and painted by William Hare Ltd., and it is estimated that more than 50,000 liters of Sherwin-Williams coatings will be required.

Sherwin-Williams is supplying 40,000 liters of Epigrip C400V3 multi-functional epoxy zinc phosphate coating and 12,000 liters of Resistex C237 sheen finish.

Leigh Hyde, Sherwin-Williams’ Regional Business Manager, UK and Ireland, said, “The plans for the former Olympic stadium roof are truly spectacular. We worked closely with William Hare Ltd. to specify the best product for this work, and Epigrip and Resistex were the chosen solution because of their tried-and-tested protection capabilities.”

Sherwin-Williams has supplied a number of landmark construction and engineering projects including London’s The Shard and Leadenhall Building and Azerbaijan’s Flame Towers.