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Writer's pictureKaterina McKechnie

There is no such thing as 'Just Replacing the Tile'


This quotation from Historic England 'I want to renew my roof'

"The roof not only shelters your house from the weather, but is often an important part of its historic significance too.

If the house is listed or in a conservation area you will probably need consent to alter the covering and internal structure. You may also require Building Regulation approval.

The material used to cover old roofs varies widely depending on where you live and the age of your house. The main historic roof coverings in England are natural slates from Wales, Cumbria or elsewhere, various types of clay tile, and thatch. There may also be some leadwork.

Replacing an old roof covering is disruptive and expensive and can cause damage, so make sure the work is necessary and effective. Damp could be caused by defects in chimneys or lead work, or by slipped slates or tiles.

In some old houses, so-called ‘nail sickness’ can cause slates or tiles to slip. This corrosion of the nails that hold them does not mean the whole roof covering itself has to be replaced. With care, it’s often possible to re-use a high percentage of the covering, making up the difference with matching second-hand or new material. Try to keep the existing roof ridges, whether these are clay or stone."

We come across lots of suppliers in many ranges, but there are not as many who really care about authentic and traditional finish. We think that the appearance of roof covering is very important in any context and therefore we want to encourage our clients to seek quality, and when requiring pan tiles go for hand made clay similar to William Blyth.

Visit their website for more information:

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