Period Roofing & Restoration

Natural slate has been Britain's premium roofing material for centuries, prized for its durability, weather resistance, and beauty. Welsh slate from quarries like Penrhyn and Ffestiniog was shipped across the country during the Victorian era, though regional slate varieties including Westmorland green, Cornish, and Scottish slate all have distinctive characteristics. Slate roof repairs range from replacing individual slipped or broken slates to comprehensive re-roofing. A skilled slate roofer can match existing slates in size, colour, and thickness, and will use traditional fixing methods appropriate to the roof's pitch and exposure. Roof felts and battens may also need attention on older roofs.

Clay tiles have been used in Britain since Roman times and remain the traditional roofing material in many regions. Handmade clay tiles have natural variations in colour and shape that give old roofs their characteristic undulating appearance - something machine-made tiles cannot replicate. Common tile types include plain tiles, pantiles, and the large Kent peg tiles. Clay tile specialists understand regional variations in laying techniques, can source matching reclaimed or reproduction tiles, and know how to work with the battens, pointing, and bedding appropriate to different tile systems.

Lead sheet is the traditional material for weatherproofing complex roof junctions including valleys, hips, flashings, and flat areas. Properly installed lead has a lifespan of 100-150 years, but poor detailing or incorrect alloy specification can cause early failure. Period buildings may feature extensive leadwork including decorative features like lead rolls on parapets. Lead roofing specialists understand the expansion and contraction behaviour of lead, correct jointing techniques, and appropriate fixing methods. They can work with existing lead or install new work that will last for generations.

Valleys (where two roof slopes meet) and gutters are critical weatherproofing details that suffer high wear from concentrated water flow. Traditional valleys use lead sheet or specially shaped tiles; older valley gutters may be lead-lined timber troughs. Parapet gutters on Georgian and Victorian terraces are common failure points, often hidden behind decorative parapets. Repair work requires understanding both the waterproofing materials and the underlying structure. Lead valleys and gutters should be properly supported with falls to outlets, while tile valleys need correct bedding and pointing. Inadequate valley repairs are a common cause of persistent roof leaks.