A tired period roof stripped back and re-covered in reclaimed natural slate, with new breathable felt, fresh battens and hand-formed lead valleys and box gutters.
Reclaimed slate · 2026
A period property whose roof had reached the end of its life. The old covering was worn, the fixings were tired and the felt beneath had gone. The brief was a full strip and a careful re-cover in reclaimed natural slate, so the finished roof would look, and last, as though it had always belonged to the building.
Everything specified, sourced and signed off before scaffolding went up.
Case Study
Reclaimed Slate · RS
Five clear stages, from stripping the old covering to the finished reclaimed slate, photographed throughout and signed off at the end.
Stage 01 · Strip outScaffold up, then the tired covering came off. The old slates and ridge were lifted and sorted, and the roof was taken back to the rafters so it could be built up cleanly from a fresh base.
Stage 02 · Felt & battenA new breathable membrane was laid over the rafters to shed water while letting the roof breathe, then fresh treated battens were fixed to a consistent gauge across every slope.
Stage 03 · Reclaimed slateReclaimed natural slate was sorted for size and colour, then laid course by course to a straight, even coursing that suits the age of the building.
Stage 04 · Valleys & leadNew lead valleys and box gutters were formed and dressed by hand, with fresh lead soakers and weatherings worked in around the chimney stacks where the slate meets the brick.
Stage 05 · Sign-offThe reclaimed clay ridge was re-bedded, verges and eaves were finished, the roof was checked over, and the site was cleared and signed off on completion.
On a period property the roof is a large part of the character. A brand new machine-made tile can look flat and out of place against old brick, lead and joinery. Reclaimed natural slate does not have that problem.
Each slate is salvaged from an older roof, then sorted and graded for size, thickness and colour before it goes back up. The result carries the weathered tone and gentle variation of the original, so the finished roof settles straight into the elevations rather than fighting them.
Under the slate, the build-up is thoroughly modern. A new breathable membrane and fresh treated battens keep water out while letting the roof breathe, and every valley, box gutter and chimney weathering is formed in dressed lead. Old character on top, sound construction underneath.
"It looks like it has always been there."Homeowner · Reclaimed slate re-roof · 2026
Hover any material for the detail on this reclaimed slate re-roof.
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Cottage, farmhouse or period home in natural or reclaimed slate. If the roof has reached the end of its life, we will walk it, tell you honestly, and quote in writing.
