Slate roofing specialists covering Swindon and Wiltshire. New slate roofs, re-roofing in natural slate, individual slate repairs, and reclaimed Welsh slate matching for period properties.
Natural slate is the longest-lasting roofing material available. Welsh slate installed on the Railway Village in the 1840s is still performing 180 years later. Spanish slate offers comparable quality at lower cost. Reclaimed Welsh slate provides the perfect match for period property repairs. We work with all three and can advise which is right for your Swindon property.
Penrhyn and Ffestiniog quarries in North Wales produce slate that has been used on British roofs for centuries. Welsh slate is dense, non-porous, and virtually immune to frost damage. It cleaves to thin, consistent thicknesses, lies flat on the batten, and develops a distinctive silver-grey patina over decades. For period properties in Swindon — the Railway Village, Old Town villas, Highworth and Cricklade town centres — Welsh slate is the historically correct material and often the conservation requirement.
Spanish slate from the Cupa, SSQ and Del Carmen quarries offers excellent quality at 20–30% less than Welsh. The colour range is slightly different — blue-black rather than silver-grey — but the performance is comparable. For new slate installations and re-roofs where a precise colour match to existing Welsh slate is not required, Spanish slate is an excellent choice that brings the durability and beauty of natural slate within reach of more budgets.
For repairs to existing Welsh slate roofs, reclaimed stock is essential. New Welsh slate, while excellent, has a different colour and texture to 100-year-old weathered slate. Reclaimed Penrhyn and Ffestiniog slates match the existing roof colour, thickness and character. We source from specialist reclamation yards across Wales and the West Country, selecting slates that match your roof in size, thickness and colour. A good reclaimed slate repair is invisible — you cannot tell which slates are replacements.
Slate handles Swindon's exposed plateau conditions better than any other material. It is impervious to frost, unaffected by thermal cycling, resistant to wind uplift when properly fixed, and sheds water faster than porous concrete or clay tiles. The critical specification is the fixing — we use stainless steel or copper nails on all slate work, double-nailed at the head with each slate hung on two nails. This prevents the fixing failure that eventually affects even the best slate when plain steel nails are used.
Slate costs 40–60% more than concrete interlocking tiles upfront. But it lasts twice as long — 100+ years versus 40–60 years. Over the lifetime of the roof, the cost per year is comparable. Slate also adds more resale value to the property, requires less maintenance, and looks significantly better. For homeowners planning to stay in their property long-term, or those upgrading a period property, slate is the superior investment.
No call-out fees. No obligation. Call 0179 329 7084.
0179 329 7084"Six slates had slipped on our 1850s cottage. They sourced matching Penrhyn slate from a reclamation yard and re-hung them with copper hooks. You genuinely cannot tell which are new. Museum-quality work on an irreplaceable building."
"Upgraded from concrete to Spanish slate when the original roof needed replacing. They confirmed the trusses could handle the weight and the result is stunning. Neighbours keep asking who did it. Best home improvement we have ever made."
"Victorian terrace needing slate repairs across three areas. They matched the original Welsh slate perfectly — same size, same colour, same thickness. The attention to detail was exceptional."
Slate re-roof on a 3-bed semi: £7,000–£11,000 with Spanish slate, £9,000–£14,000 with reclaimed Welsh. Individual slate repairs: £30–£60 per slate. Free surveys and specifications. Prices reflect the southern England labour band. Conservation area properties in Old Town may cost 20-40% more due to like-for-like material requirements.
Welsh slate (Penrhyn, Ffestiniog) is the premium choice — harder, more durable, and the correct specification for listed buildings and conservation areas. Spanish slate is a high-quality, more affordable alternative suitable for most domestic properties. Both last 100+ years with correct fixings. We advise based on your property's character and budget.
Natural slate is heavier than concrete tiles — approximately 45–55 kg/m² versus 40–48 kg/m² for concrete interlocking. Most roof structures can support slate without modification, but we check rafter size, spacing and condition during the survey. If reinforcement is needed, we specify and price it transparently.
Timeline depends on job size. Minor repairs: 1-3 hours same visit. Re-roofs: 3-5 days for a semi. Flat roofs: 2-3 days. We confirm dates one week before and again the day before. We never leave a roof exposed overnight.
For storm damage, we provide full photographic documentation, a written report distinguishing storm damage from pre-existing wear, and an itemised specification your insurer can assess. The ABI defines a storm as wind exceeding 55mph. See our insurance guide.
Both — copper for Welsh slate on period properties (historically correct and matches the original specification), stainless steel for Spanish slate and new installations (longer lasting and stronger). We never use plain steel or galvanised nails on slate. BS 5534:2014+A2:2018 requires all replacement fixings to be corrosion-resistant. Galvanised nails are no longer compliant. Swindon's 30,000+ affected homes are predominantly on 1955-1985 estates.
10-year workmanship guarantee on all slate installations. The slate itself will outlast the guarantee by a century. Fixings and flashings are the components that may need attention within the guarantee period. Our 10-year workmanship guarantee covers labour, fixings and installation. Materials carry separate manufacturer warranties - typically 25-30 years for GRP/EPDM, 40-60 years for concrete tiles with A2 stainless nails per BS 5534:2014.
Quality roofing slate has several identifiable characteristics. It should ring when tapped — a clear, metallic sound indicates dense, well-compressed stone. It should not absorb water — a drop placed on the surface should bead rather than soak in. The edges should be sharp and clean when split, not crumbly or flaky. The colour should be consistent without rusty streaks or white patches, which indicate iron pyrite or calcite inclusions that weather poorly. We inspect every batch of slate before installation and reject any that does not meet these standards. Cheap slate with inclusions can fail within 20 years — properly selected slate lasts centuries.
Every slate is hung on two fixings at the head — either nails or hooks depending on the installation type. Centre-nailed slates are fixed through the middle, giving a steeper pitch and more traditional appearance. Head-nailed slates are fixed at the top, allowing a lower pitch and more material efficiency. We use copper nails for Welsh slate on period properties — historically correct and resistant to corrosion for 150+ years. Stainless steel nails are used for Spanish slate and new installations where maximum longevity is the priority. We double-nail every slate — single nailing is a false economy that allows slates to rotate and slip in high winds.
Natural slate is available in a range of standard sizes — from small 12 by 6 inch slates used at the ridge of diminishing-course roofs to large 24 by 12 inch slates used at the eaves. The thickness varies by quarry and grade — thicker slates are more durable but heavier and more expensive. For new slate installations, we specify a consistent size and thickness across the roof, typically 500 by 250mm or 600 by 300mm depending on the roof pitch and exposure. For repairs to existing slate roofs, we match the size and thickness of the surrounding slates exactly, sourcing from the same quarry region where possible. Size matching is critical because mismatched slates create uneven laps that can allow water penetration.
From £150, no call-out fee.
More →Full re-roofs, 10yr guarantee.
More →GRP/EPDM, 25yr guarantees.
More →Same-day 24/7 response.
Call Now →Cleaning, repairs, replacement.
More →Repointing, flashings, stacks.
More →Biocide, 3-5yr protection.
More →uPVC roofline, ventilation.
More →Fitted to your roof.
More →Code 4 flashings, valleys.
More →Repair, matching, re-roofing.
More →Surveys from £120, fee credited.
More →Here is how to tell if you need this service — and when you might not.
When it is not the answer: If the problem is minor and localised, a targeted repair may be more cost-effective. We assess honestly during the free survey.
We inspect the relevant roof area, photograph everything, and explain what needs doing.
Itemised specification with materials, labour and access costs clearly separated.
Our own team carries out the work to specification. Daily cleanup, weathertight each night.
Walk-through, 10-year guarantee issued, site cleared.
| Job | Typical duration |
|---|---|
| Minor work | Half day - 1 day |
| Standard job | 1-3 days |
| Complex / large scope | 3-5 days |
Weather dependent — we never compromise quality for speed.
Access method depends on the specific job — ladder, tower scaffold or full scaffold. Always itemised in your quote. Scaffold is specified for: work above single-storey height, multi-day jobs, chimney and ridge access — always itemised in your written quote, never a hidden extra.
Pavement scaffold and skip permits go through Swindon Borough Council. On restricted streets in Old Town, the Railway Village and parts of Rodbourne, we coordinate access to minimise disruption. Allow a few working days for permit processing.
All work carries our written 10-year workmanship guarantee. Materials carry separate manufacturer warranties on top.
If a fault appears in covered work, we come back and put it right. No quibbling, no re-charge.
External work during standard hours. We sheet below and clean up each day. You do not need to be home. You do not need to stay home for external work — we just need access agreed in advance.
Work runs year-round where conditions allow. We build weather margin into every schedule and never leave a roof exposed. Swindon's exposed plateau at 120m produces more frost days and stronger gusts than sheltered valley towns — we factor this into every schedule.
No call-out fees. No obligation. Local Swindon roofers you can trust.
0179 329 7084