have carried out numerous natural stone and artificial stone projects, this type of roofing requires an element of skill which can only really be obtained from experience. Stone roofs can provide roofs with a traditional and historical look, with their diminishing courses and colour.
Natural stone roofing could be the oldest form of roofing and has been proven to pass the test of time. These roofs are usually found on older cottages, churches, farms and farm outbuildings many being grade I or grade II listed. Although these stone slates can be up to hundred years old it is not uncommon to strip the tiles off, renew the felt and batten and re-lay the existing tiles, however this can be a very time consuming and an expensive project to carry out, but the results can be very pleasing and rewarding as keeping the heritage and prosperity of a building is what helps give the property its character and charm.
The stone is naturally quarried, and the colour of natural stone is both pleasing and subtle. This natural characteristic has been attempted to be reproduced by nearly every artificial stone manufacture.
Machine made stone roofing tiles are usually manufactured by using a mix of aggregates and cement with powder colouring. These types of roofing tiles can be a very cost effective way of either replacing natural stone roofs or new roofs on extensions or new properties in a traditional area. Bradstone roofing tiles are the leading brand in imitation stone roofing projects with their two types of stone roofing; the basic and the conservation roof tile. There are however many smaller companies which offer imitation stone roofing slates and are very good in detail and compatibility with natural stone roofs. As you can see from our past project gallery mixing both imitation and natural stone roofs next to each other can be a very cost effective way of providing roof covering for an extension or outbuilding to a period property. The aesthetics of a new imitation stone roof is by no means a superior roofing product, it too can offer great presence in all sorts of building applications.
