Strechart Mini Market at the StrechArt Company Premises in Stará Ľubovňa – First Edition

The last Friday of May 2026 in Stará Ľubovňa was marked by a gathering of sheet metal workers and everyone interested in the implementation of quality roofs. The event was organized by Richard Želonka at the premises of his company StrechArt s.r.o. The event was subtitled MINI MARKET, but the attendance of enthusiasts and invited guests was significantly higher and by no means “mini.” At least 270 participants attended the event, and they were very diverse. Students and pupils from nearby vocational schools came to look, craftsmen who happened to be passing by on their way to the neighboring hardware store, but the largest and most substantial group was made up of roofing contractors and sheet metal workers from north-eastern Slovakia. Although even that is not entirely true, as participants also came from neighboring Poland, the Czech Republic, and many traveled from Poltár or the surroundings of Banská Bystrica.

The event was filled with the aroma of kettle goulash, and the head chef was Richard’s father, Richard Želonka. The preparation of the roasted piglet was handled by sheet metal worker Štefan Michalek. Thanks in part to this combination of catering, many participants did not rush home but waited until they could taste the specialties. The networking was all the more interesting and valuable for it.

Traditional Carpentry

The waiting was not mere waiting – it was watching how a traditional carpenter’s beam was shaped from a log, worked by traditional carpenters from CRMOMANI, s.r.o., with the rhythm of axe strokes set by their master Matej Lepieš.

Artistic Wood Carving

From the Ekodrevenice project, carpenters and wood carvers showed visitors during their time at the event how traditional carving methods can be used to decorate the massive beams of wooden houses. We are already used to various ornaments on wooden structures that a CNC router can create in a short time, but here it was the real thing. First, the planned ornament was marked, then the first outlines were gently carved, and then, using carving chisels and a mallet, a beautiful ornament was created. This stand had many admirers. What was fascinating was not only the carving process itself, but above all the calm and composure of the carver. In today’s hurried world, this moment was particularly appealing and captivating.

Sheet Metal Work

Chimney cladding, wind strips, etc. – these are sheet metal elements without which no quality roof can do. And here too, visitors could see the complexity of the details that need to be executed on a roof. This was made easier to understand because the sheet metal workers had prepared the details in a way that allowed them to be demonstrated on the exhibition area. It was possible to see that a roof penetration, such as a chimney, is by no means a trivial matter. Especially visitors from nearby vocational schools could see that these are precisely the details that need to be responsibly mastered in order to implement such structures in practice. Sheet metal workers from Poland assembled a model of an onion-shaped tower step by step from templates, inspiring others. Perhaps more of these little towers will appear in the area on chapels. Or perhaps even on a church in a neighboring village.

An interesting detail was chosen by Tomáš Buďvesel, who selected a demanding structural penetration. This involves the cladding of a column, which can be seen on many heritage buildings, and the procedure is also described in the book by Yuri Nushtaiev. Tomáš made it more attractive by crafting each part of the cladding from different color combinations of sheet metal. It is impressive – judge for yourselves in the attached gallery.

Artistic Sheet Metal Work

A currently well-known and attractive technique for working sheet metal is the use of a profiling wheel to create ornaments in the metal. There are no limits to imagination, but this technique is also time-consuming, so at the event we could admire finished works by sheet metal workers from Poland. One of the most beautiful was a portrait of Jesus Christ.

Flat Roofs

A roof is not just a standing seam covering. Quite the opposite. Today’s architecture requires skilled roofers who not only know the trade but also have knowledge of building physics and are familiar with the options available when implementing a flat roof. Often, the use of PVC membrane is more practical than creating complex details from sheet metal elements. And which detail is correct and better for a specific case can only be decided by a roofer who has expertise in both areas. And this was the space where it was possible to see membrane welding and the creation of the necessary details.

Education

An attractive stand was held by the Technical University in Zvolen, which presented its activities and at the same time encouraged visitors from secondary vocational schools to pursue university studies. Who knows, perhaps many of them will send their application to this university. On the other hand, it offered professionals its services in its testing laboratories. Testing and trying out new combinations of materials can help improve the creation of interesting structures in Slovakia.

Networking

The hope is that there will be more such gatherings. And not only in terms of the number organized here in Stará Ľubovňa at the StrechArt company, but anywhere in Slovakia. Meetings of professionals, craftsmen, and sheet metal workers are important. It is the simplest form of exchanging information and inspiration with one another, without prejudice or fear of competition. Through cooperation, we can contribute to raising the standard of the sheet metal trade in Slovakia.

Gallery

Traditional Carpentry

Hewing a beam from a log was an interesting activity for every participant. A craft that is no longer commonly seen even in a village.

Artistic Wood Carving

Watching the patient and clean cuts of an inscription on a wooden beam was amazing. Very few people have such precision and accuracy. Only a carver with experience and a well-sharpened chisel.

Artistic Sheet Metal Work

The profiling wheel is the basic tool for creating ornaments by embossing. Indeed, also no easy craft work.

Sheet Metal Tools

Sheet metal workers could get their hands on tools they don’t yet own and only know from the internet. Several suppliers participated in the event.

Flat Roofs

Insulation techniques could be tried out by insulation workers or those who want to get involved in this field.

Education

This young lady from the Technical University in Zvolen was encouraging visitors to study there. We’ll see in a year how many of them submitted their university applications.