Like-for-like heritage roofing for listed buildings and period properties across Portsmouth and Hampshire — natural slate, clay tile, lead and lime mortar.
Heritage roofing is a different discipline from modern domestic work. Get the materials wrong on a Georgian or Victorian roof and you cause damage that takes generations to put right — cement-rich mortar on soft brick traps moisture and rots the wall, modern interlocking tiles on a slate roof change the silhouette and weight loading, and synthetic underlays beneath natural slate cause condensation problems within a few winters. Hampshire has a significant period housing stock — Georgian and Victorian terraces in Portsmouth, Old Portsmouth and Southsea, period villages around Wickham, Titchfield and Petersfield, conservation-area homes through Emsworth and the South Downs, and listed buildings spread across the county. CJH Roofing handles heritage roofing using like-for-like materials and traditional techniques: natural slate from Welsh, Cornish and Spanish quarries; handmade and machine-made clay tiles to match originals; lead work dressed by hand in code 4 and code 5; and lime mortars where the original construction calls for them. We work alongside conservation officers and Local Planning Authorities on listed building consents and conservation-area approvals where needed, and we'll tell you straight when a job needs specialist consents before any work can start.
Whole-roof relaying and patch repairs in genuine natural slate, hand-graded and properly nailed with copper or stainless fixings.
Plain tile, pantile and Roman profile clay tiles in matching colours and weathered finishes for repairs, valleys, ridges and verges.
Code 4 and code 5 lead, dressed by hand into chases, bossed at corners and clipped per the Lead Sheet Association guidance.
Materials and details appropriate to the period and the conservation-area design guide. We'll discuss the spec with the planning officer where required.
Work on listed properties subject to the relevant Listed Building Consent. We'll help you scope the application and provide the technical specification.
Natural hydraulic lime (NHL 2 and NHL 3.5) and lime putty mortars for pre-1900 chimneys and parapets, mixed and applied to traditional methods.
Repointing, rebuilding and crown work on Georgian and Victorian stacks using matching brick and original mortar specifications.
Period valley details, parapet gutters and box gutters in lead — hand-formed rather than off-the-shelf trims.
We come out, climb up, take photos and explain what we find in plain English. No charge, no follow-up sales calls.
Itemised, fixed-price quote within 48 hours. Materials specified by name. No hidden extras on the day.
Agreed date booked, fully scaffolded where needed, all materials delivered to site before we start.
10-year workmanship guarantee, site swept clean, after-photos sent before we collect payment.
Honest indicative pricing. Real quotes depend on access and condition. Free written quote within 48 hours.
Heritage repair work
From Quoted
Heritage work typically 20-40% above standard rates due to specialist materials and slower techniques.
Natural slate re-roof (per m²)
From £180/m²
Welsh slate is dearer than Spanish; lead detailing extra.
Lime repointing (chimney or parapet)
From £600
Slower curing than cement mixes; pricing reflects the technique.
Scaffolding
Scaffolding is usually quoted separately. Most jobs require scaffolding ranging from £300-£1,500+ depending on size, number of lifts and access. We arrange and supply scaffolding as part of the overall package — it's included in your written quote so there are no surprises.
All prices indicative. Free written quote within 48 hours.
A few examples of recent heritage & period property roofing work we've completed in and around Portsmouth.
Hand-cut natural slate conical turret on a seafront period property within reach of Portsmouth. Every slate scribed and tapered individually, lead soakers between every course and a hand-formed lead apex. The kind of detailing modern crews rarely take on.
Domed bay roof on a heritage property in Portsmouth re-covered in natural slate with hand-dressed lead saddle and apex. Original profile maintained, fully ventilated build-up beneath, photographed at every stage for the conservation officer.
Decorative scallop and plain clay tile-hanging to a full gable on a heritage-style property near Portsmouth. Tile-and-a-half courses set out by eye to land correctly at the corners and window reveals — proper traditional roofline detail.
Western red cedar shingle roof installed over breathable membrane and counter-battens on a project in the Portsmouth area. Hand-cut hips, valleys and dormer cheeks — a specialist covering not many local roofers will take on.
We provide heritage & period property roofing across Portsmouth, Hampshire and within 40 miles of our Portsmouth base.
Heritage & Period Property Roofing questions we hear most often. Don't see yours? Call us.
Almost always, yes — even like-for-like repairs to a listed roof can require consent. The Local Planning Authority's conservation officer is the first call. We'll provide the technical specification needed for the application.
Slipped tiles, leaks, storm damage and isolated faults — fixed properly the first time.
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Complete roof replacements built to last 50+ years. Premium materials, 10-year workmanship guarantee.
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Repointing, lead flashing, rebuilds and removals — done properly with proper scaffolding.
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