Stewart Rowles, Managing Director at Master Roofers Discusses The Enduring Legacy of Conservation Roof Windows in Britain

Conservation roof windows hold a unique and significant place in British architectural heritage. These cast iron-framed windows, designed for use in historic buildings, embody both the practicality and charm of an era before the advent of modern roof windows. Today, they remain an essential element for maintaining the aesthetic integrity of period properties while offering […]

From origins of Rooflights in the UK to their modern design upgrades.

Managing Director of Master Roofers UK, Stewart Rowles, explores a brief history of rooflights. Traditional rooflights have played an important role in British architecture since the Industrial Revolution, providing natural light to buildings while maintaining structural integrity and durability. Early Development (18th–19th Century) Before the widespread use of rooflights, buildings relied on large windows and […]

5% VAT Blog

We recently had a customer query whether the purchase of rooflights falls within the remit of the 5% VAT rate for building services. The short answer is unfortunately not. While such schemes may appear fantastic on the face of it, when you dig a bit deeper it’s not as straightforward as you might be lead […]

Air and vapour permeability in an historic roof

At roof level, the restoration efforts include dismantling and rebuilding 30 of the 34 chimneys, and replacing 140,000 roof tiles. Removing the roof finish has afforded the opportunity to install a new pitched roof underlay. The project architects specified Proctor Air, with Mac Roofing & Contracting Ltd carrying out installation. As an historic building, the […]

BPR Labels

When selecting timber roof battens, having a BPR label (Biocidal Products Regulation) can help to ensure the chosen products provide suitable performance, both in terms of quality and safety.   Safety on a building site is always of paramount importance. While roofers are aware of the risks associated with working at height, there are other risks […]

How roof underlay specification can helpmake a retrofit project a success

All roof coverings and underlays need to be replaced at some point during a building’s useful life. When that time comes, how can the next generation of roof membranes help existing buildings to meet current performance requirements and be resilient for the future? Pamela Howat, Senior Technical Advisor at A. Proctor Group looks at some […]

Mayan – Case Study July 2023

Products:Mayan ArmouredSlate Low Pitch Roofing SystemMayan RealVergeMayan All-in-One RealRidgeSSQ Riverstone Ultra slates Project:Wrap around, lean-to extension. Coastal region, Weymouth, Dorset. Existing roof:Built 10 years ago, in order to overcome an issue with a side entrance door, the construction of this roofwas modified which subsequently resulted in the roof being pitched at 10 degrees rather than […]

Mayan All-in-One RealRidge

We are proud to share these photographs from a site in Herefordshire where the roof was finished using our All-in-One RealRidge. The natural slate ridge was ordered with a variety of preformed angles to fit the complex roof design perfectly, with block ends and hip ends to add the finishing touch. The contractor described the […]

Specialist Applied Programmes (SAP) Funding

We are pleased to announce that Specialist Applied Programmes (SAP) funding is now available to CITB registered contractors for the following qualifications: Lead and Hard Metals Level 2. Heritage Lead and Hard Metals Level 3. Heritage Roof Slating & Tiling Level 3. Funding The Specialist Applied Skills Programme is funded through the CITB with a […]