Roofing Contractors
Roofing contractors in this category work on the pitched roofs of period and listed buildings: natural slate, clay tiles, stone slates and the leadwork that goes with them. Heritage roofing is as much about what is kept as what is renewed – sound slates and tiles are salvaged and re-used, coverings are matched by size, coursing and colour, and details such as valleys, hips and abutments follow the original patterns. Typical work ranges from storm repairs and re-fixing slipped slates to complete re-roofing, chimney repairs and associated rainwater goods.
What this category covers
- Repair and re-roofing in natural slate, clay tile and stone slate
- Salvage and re-use of existing coverings
- Leadwork to valleys, flashings and abutments
- Chimney repairs and re-flaunching
- Storm damage and emergency repairs
Bakers of Danbury Ltd
Bakers of Danbury is a privately owned building contractor established in 1878 ...
Bespoke Construction & Joinery Solutions
Bespoke Construction & Joinery Solutions (BCJS) is a building contractor based in ...
Clarke Roofing Southern Ltd
Clarke Roofing Southern Ltd is a third-generation family roofing contractor based in ...
Country House Renovations Limited
TRADITIONAL BUILDERS: Conveniently located in the north Cotswolds to undertake projects throughout ...
Delabole Slate Quarry – Cornwall
Delabole Slate Quarry in north Cornwall describes itself as the oldest working ...
Green and Heritage Roofing Ltd
Green and Heritage Roofing is a family-run roofing contractor based at Hipperholme, ...
Gutterworks Ltd / Roofworks
Gutterworks is a supplier and installer of rainwater and roofline systems based ...
Inspire Building Specialists Ltd
Inspire Building Specialists (IBS Ltd) is an Oxfordshire builder based at Horton-cum-Studley, ...
JH Building Restoration Ltd
JH Building Restoration Ltd is a heritage restoration and refurbishment contractor based ...
John Williams & Company (Contracting) Ltd
John Williams & Company (Contracting) Ltd is a family-run roofing firm trading ...
Re-roofing a period building
Establish how much of the existing covering can be re-used. On many roofs the slates or tiles outlast their fixings; a re-roof then means stripping, salvaging sound units, re-battening and re-laying with matching seconds making up the shortfall. A contractor who plans to skip everything into a lorry is the wrong contractor.
Match the covering properly: material, size, thickness, coursing (including diminishing courses on many older roofs) and colour all show from the ground. On listed buildings a change of roofing material almost always needs consent.
Ask what happens under the covering. Old roofs often lack underlay and rely on ventilation; adding modern membranes and insulation changes how the roof breathes, and the wrong build-up causes condensation in the loft. Vapour-permeable detailing designed for old buildings is the norm now.
Finally, check scaffold, leadwork and carpentry are included in the price, and that the firm employs or directly engages its leadworkers rather than leaving flashings to whoever is available.
Questions to ask
Do I need consent to re-roof a listed building?
Like-for-like repair and re-covering in the same material generally does not need Listed Building Consent, but changing the material, profile or details does, and underlays and insulation can also need approval. Agree the specification with the conservation officer before stripping.
Can old slates and tiles be re-used?
Usually a substantial proportion can. Sound units are salvaged during stripping, re-holed or re-nibbed if needed, and re-laid, with matching reclaimed or new units making up losses. Re-use keeps the roof's appearance and is normally expected on historic buildings.
Why are diminishing courses used on old roofs?
Traditional roofs were often laid with larger slates or stone at the eaves reducing in size towards the ridge, reflecting how material was won and giving the roof its characteristic look. Replicating the coursing matters when re-roofing; laying uniform courses changes the appearance markedly.
Directory information is provided to help visitors identify potentially relevant specialists and suppliers. Inclusion does not constitute a recommendation, approval or guarantee by Tuscan Foundry Products. Please check current services, credentials, availability and suitability directly with each business.