New Roof

It is nearly fifteen years after buying the house that we approached Credit Union for a loan to put on a new roof. At this time, this was the only part of the renovation for which we employed builders. As you can see from the two images below, we put a lot of time, effort, and financing turning what looked like prison barracks into a decent house.

The original slates, maybe 50 years old by this time, were quite porous. We spent a lot of time over the years managing leaks and replacing slates, and if we replaced one it invariably meant we damaged others in the process. It was with great relief that we were granted the loan, and could finally safeguard all the internal work we had been doing.

As we had put in windows that were eight inchest taller than the original ones, it meant we were looking at the roof from the upstairs windows, so we asked the builder to create little pigeon roofs over the front windows. It was a pleasure to see the builders simply getting on and doing the job. The front slope was done first.

The front slope was felted, batoned and slated before the builder moved to the back.

At the back of the building, on the north side, there was a small window that provided light to the landing. We had considered building the middle part of the new-build up two storeys here to accommodate a second bathroom over the one below, but we didn't have the expertise or the time or money to do it. The window, of course, looked out into the roof area of our new extension, and it was at this point, we asked the builders if they could stick another room on while they were re-roofing! No problem!

They created a simple wood construction, slated on the outside like the roof. WE knocked out the small section of wall beneath the old window on the inside, and created a stair and a small landing. 

Once the roof was completed, we pressed a local farmer in to help with the removal of the old slates.

What a relief... The work isn't over yet, but at least the roof is sound!