Ashlar Roofing
Roofer on scaffolding beside a newly laid slate roof
Slate Roofs ยท Greater London

Slate Roofs across Greater London

Natural and man-made slate roofs, renewed and repaired to suit London's older houses.

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  • Emergency call-outs
  • Pitched and flat roofs
  • Homes and commercial
  • Covering Greater London

Slate Roofs

Natural and Man-Made Slate Roofing across Greater London

Slate is common on London's older terraces, where Victorian and Edwardian builders used it for its thin profile, modest weight and resistance to water. Many of those roofs still carry their original slates and nails, and the usual sign of age is nail fatigue: slates slipping out of position one after another as the old fixings corrode. When that happens across a whole roof, re-slating is usually better value than chasing individual repairs. Ashlar Roofing renews slate roofs in natural slate and fibre-cement slate, and carries out repairs to existing slate roofs.

Natural slate from Wales or Spain is split from quarried stone and, when well chosen and well fixed, can last well over a century. Welsh slate is valued for its density and colour, while Spanish slate offers a natural finish at a lower cost. Fibre-cement slates are made to a uniform size and thickness, which keeps the price down and makes them quick to lay. We fix slates with copper or stainless nails, or slate hooks where appropriate, at the head lap your roof's pitch and exposure require, and sound original slates can be reused where that suits the job.

Newly slated roof with a vent pipe, seen from the scaffold
Slate roof being laid around roof windows

What's included

What Our Slate Roofs Service Covers

The main parts of the job, each listed in your quote.

  • Natural Welsh or Spanish slate for a long-lasting, authentic finish
  • Fibre-cement slates where budget or roof weight is the priority
  • Copper or stainless nails, or slate hooks, that resist corrosion
  • Head lap set to your roof's pitch and exposure to keep driven rain out
  • Sound original slates salvaged and reused where they are good enough
  • New lead soakers, flashings and valleys alongside the slating

Quotes for Slate Roofs across Greater London

Tell us what is happening with your roof and we will arrange a visit and a quote.

Our work

Recent Work from Ashlar Roofing

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Why choose us

Why Choose Ashlar Roofing for Slate Roofs

Slate Material Knowledge

We explain the practical differences between Welsh, Spanish and fibre-cement slate, including how each looks and ages on a period house.

Repair or Renew, Explained

If a repair will give the roof a good further life, we say so. If nail fatigue means re-slating is the sensible option, we explain why.

Leadwork in the Same Job

Soakers, flashings and valleys are renewed alongside the slates, so the full roof is covered by one firm.

Homes and Commercial Buildings

We slate houses, flats and commercial premises across Greater London, with a quote agreed before work starts.

About Ashlar Roofing

One Roofing Firm for the Whole Roof

Ashlar Roofing works on houses, flats and commercial premises across Greater London. Pitched roofs, flat roofs, chimneys, leadwork and roofline are all handled by the same firm, so you have one contact for the whole job.

Finished slate roof with roof windows

Emergency call-outs

Leaks and storm damage prioritised

Pricing

What Affects the Cost of Slate Roofs

The price of a slate roof depends on:

  • Natural slate or fibre-cement slate, and the source and grade of natural slate
  • Roof size and pitch, which set the number of slates and the head lap needed
  • How many original slates can be salvaged and reused
  • The extent of new leadwork at chimneys, valleys and abutments
  • Scaffolding, especially on tall terraces with narrow front access
Grey slate roof with a roof window and clay ridge

The work

How We Carry Out Slate Roofs

The main stages of the job, from the first inspection to the final check.

  1. Assessing the Slates

    We check whether the problem lies with the slates, the nails or the battens, and whether repair or re-slating gives you better value.

  2. Stripping and Sorting

    Slates are removed carefully and sound ones are set aside for reuse. The battens and membrane beneath are then renewed.

  3. Setting Out and Fixing

    Slates are graded by thickness, set out in even courses and fixed with corrosion-resistant nails or hooks at the correct lap.

  4. Ridges and Junctions

    Ridges, hips and leadwork are completed, and we review the finished roof with you to confirm everything has been done as agreed.

FAQs

Common Questions About Slate Roofs

Is natural slate worth the extra cost?

For many period homes it is. Good natural slate lasts far longer than man-made alternatives, keeps its appearance and is often expected in conservation areas. Fibre-cement slate costs less and looks neat and uniform, but has a shorter working life. We can price both so you can compare.

Why do my slates keep slipping?

On older roofs it is usually nail fatigue, where the original iron nails have rusted through and slates slide out of place. One or two can be refixed with slate hooks or tingles, but when slipping becomes frequent across the roof, the nails are failing everywhere and re-slating is normally the better long-term answer.

Can my original slates be reused?

Often some of them can. Slates are checked as they come off; those that are sound, not flaking and not cracked are kept, and the shortfall is made up with new or reclaimed slate of a similar size and colour. Reused slates are usually placed on the less visible slopes.

Do I need permission to change from slate to tiles?

Changing the roof material can need planning permission in a conservation area or where an Article 4 direction applies, and listed buildings need consent. Concrete tiles are also much heavier than slate, so the roof structure may need checking. In many cases staying with slate is the simpler route.

How long does re-slating take?

A typical terraced house usually takes one to two weeks, depending on the weather, the number of slates being salvaged and any timber repairs. Sorting and grading slates takes a little longer than tiling, and it is what gives the roof an even finish.

Still Have a Question?

If your question is not answered here, get in touch and we will discuss it with you. You can also send photos on WhatsApp.

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Areas we cover

Slate Roofs across Our London Areas

We carry out slate roofs in all of these areas and across the rest of Greater London.

  • Walthamstow
  • Stratford
  • Canning Town
  • East Ham
  • Plaistow
  • Camden Town
  • Woodford
  • Finsbury Park
  • Ealing
  • Southall
  • Richmond
  • Twickenham
  • Wood Green

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