Heritage and church leadwork

Heritage work we carry out

• Repairs and renewal of lead flat roofs on bays, porches, towers and aisles, with rolls and drips set out to sensible bay sizes.
• Parapet, box and valley gutters on period roofs, relined in heavy-code lead.
• Hand-bossed details: dormer cheeks, finials, bay canopies and ornate cappings.
• Flashings to stone and brick, fixed with lead wedges and pointed in lime mortar where the masonry calls for it.
• Temporary weatherproofing after storm damage or lead theft, so the building stays protected while permissions are sorted.

How we approach a heritage roof

On a historic roof the aim is to keep as much original fabric as possible and repair the rest the way it was first done. We start with a detailed, photographed inspection, including drone photography of areas that can't be seen safely from the ground. From that we write a clear specification: what is failing, why, what we propose and which materials.

That document is what your conservation officer, architect, church architect or Parochial Church Council needs to see and we're happy to meet them on site. Work follows Lead Sheet Training Academy guidance and BS 6915, the code of practice for fully supported lead roofing, with bay sizes and fixings set out so the new lead has room to move.

Churches, lead theft and insurers

Church roofs are often the largest lead roofs in a parish and lead theft is a real risk. If your roof has been stripped, the first job is making it watertight. After that, the PCC, diocese and insurer decide whether to replace in lead or approve an alternative and many insurers expect a roof alarm or other security measures as a condition of cover. We can price each option so the decision is an informed one.

For period homes the same principles apply on a smaller scale. Most Victorian and older houses in Buckinghamshire have lead bays, valleys and chimney details that can be repaired rather than replaced; see lead valleys and gutters and chimney leadwork for the most common repairs.

How heritage work is priced

Heritage jobs are specified individually. The main cost drivers are the area and code of lead, scaffolding (often the largest single item on a church or tall building), how much of the base needs repair and whether any timber or masonry work is involved. We're happy to discuss phasing work to fit grant or fundraising timetables.

Heritage roofs are why we learned the craft

We hold Association of Master Roofers Specialist Contractor status, are members of the Guild of Master Craftsmen and were named On The Tools Roofer of the Year 2025. Most importantly, we do our own leadwork. It is never subcontracted.