Heritage Roofing South West

West Country Tiling provides specialist heritage roofing across the South West for period homes, historic properties, country houses and other traditional buildings.

Since 1990, our team of craftsmen have worked with roofs of different ages, styles and construction, carrying out repairs, restoration and complete reroofing. From natural and stone slate to handmade clay tiles and traditional leadwork, we understand how the materials and construction of an older roof influence the way it should be repaired or restored.

A Specialist Approach to Heritage Roofing

Older roofs are rarely uniform. Materials may have been handmade, locally sourced or laid using techniques that differ from modern roofing construction. Previous repairs and alterations can also affect how the roof performs and what work is now required.

Our heritage roofers consider the condition and construction of the existing roof before deciding what should be repaired, retained or replaced. Where suitable original materials remain, these can be reused, while replacement materials can be sourced or selected to complement the existing roof.

This approach applies to both listed and unlisted historic properties. Where a building is listed or subject to conservation requirements, additional considerations may also affect the materials and methods used.

Traditional Roofing Materials

The materials found on historic roofs vary considerably across the South West. Natural slate, stone slate and clay tiles all form part of the region’s roofing heritage, with different materials associated with particular areas, periods and styles of building. West Country Tiling works with traditional roofing materials including:

  • Stone Slate – used on many historic and heritage properties, including roofs across Somerset and the Cotswolds.
  • Natural Slate – including traditional slate roofs where existing materials may be retained, repaired or carefully matched.
  • Clay Tiles – including handmade clay plain tiles and traditional clay-tiled roofs found on period properties across the region.
  • Leadwork – including traditional lead detailing and sand-cast lead produced at West Country Tiling’s own facility.

Matching a historic roof is not simply a matter of choosing a similar colour. The size, thickness, texture and way materials are laid can all contribute to the appearance and character of the finished roof.

Planning repairs or restoration to a period or historic roof?

Speak to our heritage roofing team about the existing materials, condition and requirements of your property.

Discuss Your Project →

Or call 01373 462 224

Historic Roof Restoration

Historic roof restoration can range from localised repairs to extensive reroofing. The right approach depends on the condition of the existing roof, the materials involved and any deterioration to associated features.

Work may involve replacing damaged or missing tiles or slates, retaining and reusing suitable original materials, repairing leadwork or restoring larger areas of the roof.

Heritage projects can also extend beyond the roof covering itself. Depending on the property, work may involve chimneys, masonry, timber, gutters, roof drainage and other details that form part of the roof structure.

This wider understanding is particularly important when several elements of an older building need to be considered as part of the same project.

Heritage Roofing Experience Across the South West

West Country Tiling works on heritage and traditional roofing projects throughout Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Devon and Dorset, as well as projects further afield.

Our experience covers different periods and styles of architecture and a wide range of traditional roofing materials. Projects have included Georgian properties, historic houses, listed buildings, churches and other buildings where the existing materials and architectural character need to be considered carefully.

At an unlisted period property in Barrow Gurney, West Country Tiling worked on a highly complex clay plain tile roof with ornamental banding. The six-month project combined traditional roofing and extensive leadwork with new dormer windows, repairs to the chimney stack masonry and a new cast-iron downpipe to improve drainage from the central roof slopes.

Our work at the Grade I listed Widcombe Crescent in Bath involved Welsh slate, clay double Roman tiles, Bath stone and lime mortar, alongside the rebuilding of valley and box gutters using lead recast at our own facility.

These are listed properties, but the materials, techniques and conservation skills involved are also relevant to many unlisted period and historic buildings across the South West.

Why Choose West Country Tiling?

West Country Tiling has worked with traditional and historic roofs since 1990. Our experience covers both repair and complete reroofing, using materials and techniques appropriate to older buildings.

Our work includes stone and natural slate, handmade clay tiles and specialist leadwork, alongside associated conservation work where a project requires a broader range of traditional skills.

Based in Somerset, we undertake heritage roofing projects across the South West, working on properties ranging from period homes and country houses to significant historic and listed buildings.

Get in Touch

If you are looking for heritage roofers for repairs, historic roof restoration or complete reroofing, talk to West Country Tiling about your property on 01373 462 224 or email info@westcountrytiling.com.

We can discuss the existing roof, materials and scope of work and arrange a survey to look at the project in more detail.

Heritage Roofing South West FAQs

What is heritage roofing?

Heritage roofing is the repair, restoration or replacement of roofs on period and historic buildings using materials and techniques appropriate to the age, construction and character of the property.

This can include natural slate, stone slate, handmade clay tiles and traditional leadwork, with suitable existing materials retained and reused where possible.

Heritage roofers work on older and historic buildings where the roof requires knowledge of traditional materials and construction methods.

West Country Tiling works on period homes, historic properties, country houses, churches and listed buildings across the South West, carrying out everything from individual repairs to complete reroofing.

Historic roof restoration begins with understanding the condition of the existing roof and identifying which materials and features can be retained and which require repair or replacement.

Depending on the property, the work can include slates or tiles, leadwork, chimneys, masonry, timber, gutters and drainage as well as the main roof covering.

Traditional roofing materials found across the South West include natural slate, stone slate, handmade clay tiles and lead.

The appropriate material depends on the building and its existing roof. Where original materials remain suitable, they may be retained and reused, while replacement materials can be selected to complement the existing roof.

No. Listed buildings can have specific conservation requirements, but many unlisted period and historic properties also benefit from a conservation-led approach to roofing.

Retaining suitable original materials, understanding traditional construction and choosing compatible replacement materials can help preserve the character of an older property.