Slate roofing
New slate roofs, re-slating and repairs, for period homes and any roof where slate is the right finish.
Get a quoteSlate has covered British roofs for centuries. Natural slate is split from quarried stone into thin, hard-wearing pieces, laid in overlapping courses and fixed with copper nails or hooks. It is the original roof on many Victorian and Edwardian terraces, and laid well, it lasts for a very long time.
The slate itself is tough, but the nails that hold it rust in time, a fault known as nail sickness. Look out for slates that have slipped out of line, pieces in the gutter, metal strips holding slates in place from earlier repairs, and damp in the loft after rain.
We offer slate roofing, from replacing a single slate to stripping and re-slating a whole roof. We will survey the roof, explain what we find and give you a written estimate before any work starts. When a slope is re-slated, it gets new battens and membrane as well as its new slates.
Natural slate varies in colour, thickness and texture from one quarry to the next, so on a terrace or a pair of semis it is worth matching the slates on the neighbouring roofs. Man-made slates in fibre cement are lighter and more uniform, and can suit newer houses.
Questions about slate roofing
Can a few slipped slates be fixed without a new roof?
Yes, usually. A single slate can be replaced and held with a small strip of lead or copper called a tingle. If slates are slipping all over the roof, the nails have probably rusted through, and refixing them one at a time stops being worthwhile.
Can my old slates be reused?
Sometimes. Slates that are still hard and sound can be cleaned, refixed and mixed with matching reclaimed slates, which helps a roof keep its original look. Slates that are soft, flaking or cracked should be replaced, and we can tell you which yours are when we survey the roof.
Can I replace slate with concrete tiles?
You can, but concrete tiles are much heavier than slate, so the roof timbers may need checking and strengthening first, and the change can need approval. Tiles also change the look of a period house and can stand out in a street of slate roofs.
Do slate roofs need much maintenance?
Very little, as long as slipped or broken slates are dealt with early. It is worth having the roof checked after a severe storm, and keeping the gutters and valleys clear so that water runs off as it should.
Thinking of re-slating?
We will survey the roof and tell you whether it needs repairs or new slate, with a free estimate.
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Get a quote for slate roofing
Tell us a little about the job and we will get back to you to arrange a free quotation.