Bespoke Clay Ridge Tile suppliers

[Kinclad]

Hi there,

I'm trying to source company's that can supply replacement ridge tiles to match existing for my house.

The type of ridge has an insert and imbedded within that insert are Fleur De Lys and clover decorative symbols.

I have sourced 1 manufacture and the cost is coming in at £75 for both the ridge and the inserts. TBH even if that is good value for a bespoke ridge tile it just blows my budget.

Even though I'm only doing a section of the roof, I will still need about 15 replacement ridge tiles.

I could just order the inserts (£15 a go) and try and reuse the existing ridge tiles but until we start taking them off I will not know if they are reusable and if (whats left of) the existing insert can be removed without damaging the tile. (all of inserts have been chipped off over the years).

BTW I have searched every reclamation (and salvo) but no joy on original replacements.

Any possible suppliers or help would be appreciated.

Many Thanks,

Mark.

 

[Feltwell]

How exact a match do you need, and are you sure your existing tiles had inserts rather than being made in one piece, i.e. have you been up there to have a look? I've seen the ones with inserts but I thought these were a modern thing.

My, admittedly limited, experience is that ridge tiles can generally be removed OK in one piece if they are undamaged.

You can get new Fleur-de-lys ridge tiles, such as:-

http://www.slate.uk.com/view/classi...-than-one-colour-available/ridge-tiles/id-24/

Not clay I know, but it will weather down fairly quickly.

http://www.monier.co.uk/products/product-catalogue/product-range/product/ornamental-ridges-3.html

Ridge tiles are generally quite expensive, especially the fancier ones.

Whilst I'm sure you'd love an exact match, do bear in mind that at that height it will be difficult to tell the difference between "exact" and "close enough", especially given a bit of weathering. I put plain concrete tiles - i.e. replica of plain clay originals - on my roof when I redid mine, a decision that I regretted with hindsight. 7 years on, on a single-storey section of my roof they are still a bit too close to the eye and still look a bit false, but on the main roof - 2 to 3 storeys up - they look fine now they've weathered in.

 

[Kinclad]

Hi Thanks for your suggestions.

Ive looked up there again and they are defiantly inserts, it looks like the bond (lime or Cement?) that the insert sits in is very strong so I don't hold much hope in being able to remove whats left of the insert with breaking the ridge tile.

The trouble with the modern alternatives is that they are quite different in there design as well as not looking old and authentic. The roof currently has a fleur de lys followed by a clover. It would not be so bad if I was replacing the whole ridge but my roofer is only stripping and re-batoning 1/4 of the the roof which is half of the ridge.

I can see myself having no choice but to put the original ridge tiles (the ones that survive) with broken inserts back up there again. Or I try and find the funds and go with the company I found and replace with new handmade clay ridge and inserts. Although tbh I haven't seen what they look like yet so I don't even know if these will be a good match.

Cheers

Mark.

 

[TheForge]

Try http://www.ajmugridge.co.uk/

 

[plasticpigeon]

There is a place near me that does reclaimed roofing materials. Rough yard, can't go in in normal shoes, but good prices and lots of interesting stuff. Only roofing stuff though. Worth a try. Steve Forde 07976 902498, no website. Don't spread the word too far or everyone will be using him.

 

[Kinclad]

Thanks very much for the advice...I will try all those potential solutions. Mark.

 

[Feltwell]

There is a place near me that does reclaimed roofing materials. Rough yard, can't go in in normal shoes, but good prices and lots of interesting stuff. Only roofing stuff though. Worth a try. Steve Forde 07976 902498, no website. Don't spread the word too far or everyone will be using him.

Yes, I've used him. He had lots of reclaimed tile-and-a-halves, which are like the proverbial rocking horse dung normally!

 

[Penners]

I've used these people in the past. In my experience they do really excellent work, and still make their products using traditional methods.

http://www.bulmerbrickandtile.co.uk/index.htm