J3 Project 8
East Barkwith – Reclaimed Welsh Slate Project
A heritage re-roofing project completed for JK Construction at a characterful period property in East Barkwith, Lincolnshire. The brief was clear — strip, salvage and reinstate the original reclaimed Welsh slate, while upgrading all underlays, leadwork and flat roof areas to modern standards.
Type
Re-Roof / Heritage
Completion Date
Srping 2026
Location
East Barkwith, Lincolnshire
Overview
This project involved a full re-roof of a beautiful period property in East Barkwith, carried out on behalf of JK Construction. The property featured original reclaimed Welsh slate that was carefully stripped and salvaged for reinstatement — a skilled process that requires patience and expertise to avoid breakage and ensure maximum reuse.
New roofing backgrounds were installed across the full roof, and the original Welsh slate was re-fixed using copper nails — the correct fixing method for natural slate on a heritage building. Original clay cap angle ridges and traditional roll top ridges were retained and reinstated to match the existing character of the property. Cure It GRP was applied to all flat roof sections, and Code 5 lead flashings were dressed and fitted to chimney stacks, valley junctions, wall abutments and the porch flat roof. To finish, bespoke fleur de lis hip irons were hand-fabricated and installed — a distinctive heritage detail that sets this project apart.
Challenge
- Strip the entire roof and salvage the original reclaimed Welsh slate intact, minimising breakage
- Source-match any slate losses to maintain a consistent heritage appearance
- Reinstate original clay cap angle ridges and roll top ridge details to period specification
- Install GRP waterproofing across multiple flat roof areas to a seamless, long-life standard
- Form and fit Code 5 lead flashings to five distinct junction types — chimneys, valleys, wall abutments, panelling and porch
- Design and fabricate bespoke fleur de lis hip irons to complement the property’s character
Our Approach
- Full roof stripped with care taken to preserve as much original
- Welsh slate as possible
- All slates sorted, graded and stacked ready for reinstatement
- New breather membrane and treated timber battens installed across the full roof area
- Original reclaimed Welsh slate re-fixed using copper nails to BS 5534 — the correct specification for natural stone slates
- Original clay cap angle ridges and traditional roll top ridges cleaned, repaired and reinstated in lime mortar
- Cure It GRP fibreglass system applied to all flat roof areas, including primer, laminate and topcoat in a single colour finish
- Code 5 lead flashings cut, dressed and fixed to all chimney stacks, valley gutters, wall abutments, panelling and porch flat roof
- Bespoke fleur de lis hip irons designed, hand-fabricated in steel and installed to all hips as a period finishing detail
Result
- A beautifully restored heritage roof, with the original reclaimed
- Welsh slate given a new lease of life using traditional methods and quality fixings
- The property’s historic character fully preserved — no modern tile substitutes, no shortcuts
- All flat roof areas waterproofed with a seamless Cure It GRP system, providing long-term performance
- Code 5 lead flashings dressed and sealed to all five junction types, ensuring a fully weathertight result
- Bespoke hand-fabricated fleur de lis hip irons installed as a standout finishing detail — a nod to the property’s heritage
- A complete roofing package delivered on time for JK Construction, to the highest standard throughout