Expert Heritage Roofing in Callington, Cornwall

If you’ve lived in Cornwall long enough, you’ll know that our roofs are often built differently to those up country. We specialise in 'scantle' roofing, a traditional method using random-sized slates bedded in lime mortar rather than modern nails or clips. It’s a painstaking process, but it’s the only way to ensure a heritage property breathes correctly and maintains its authentic character. We often source local Delabole slate to ensure a perfect match for existing structures. Why settle for a 'close enough' look when you can have the real deal? Our team takes great pride in 'wet laying' slates, ensuring that every piece is tucked in perfectly to withstand the next big Atlantic storm blowing in from the coast.

Lead is the unsung hero of many historic buildings in Callington. From the intricate valleys of a Victorian villa to the flashing around a massive granite chimney stack, lead provides a level of durability that modern plastics just can't match. Our craftsmen are experts in lead bossing and welding, shaping sheets by hand to fit the unique curves and angles of your roof. Have you noticed damp patches appearing near your chimney? Often, it’s not the slates at fault but the ancient leadwork that’s finally given up the ghost. We treat every lead project as a piece of functional art, ensuring it’s not just watertight, but looks exactly as it should for a building of its age.

One of the biggest mistakes we see people make with old buildings is using modern cement for repairs. Historic stone and slate need to move and breathe, which is why we always use traditional lime mortar. It’s softer and more flexible, preventing the stone from cracking as the building settles over the seasons. Whether we're re-pointing a chimney or bedding ridge tiles, we mix our mortar to match the original colour and texture. It might take a bit longer to set, but it saves you a world of trouble with damp and decay down the line. It’s all about doing the job properly the first time, isn't it?

If you’re worried about the state of your high-level masonry or a hidden valley, the last thing you want is someone clambering over fragile, 150-year-old slates just to take a look. That’s why we’ve invested in high-definition drone technology. We can fly over your property and capture crystal-clear images of every nook and cranny without ever setting foot on a ladder. It’s the perfect, non-invasive way to spot a slipped slate or a crumbling chimney pot before they turn into a major leak. For owners of listed buildings in Callington, this provides a detailed record for insurance or conservation officers without the massive initial cost of scaffolding.