Lee FlecknellEmergency roof repairs, rental property · August 2026
Highly recommend this company carried out some emergency roof repairs on one of my properties would use again.
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Slate roofing
Slate roofing in natural slate and slate-effect tiles
Slate roofing from Best Top Roofing covers both the natural slate on period terraces and the slate-effect tiles that give newer houses the same crisp look for less. We re-slate whole roofs, repair slipped and broken slates, and fit slate-effect re-roofs with dry ridge and dry verge, all with a fixed written price.
Natural slate is the traditional roof of Victorian and Edwardian terraces across both counties. A good slate lasts well over a century, but the nails holding it do not. When the nails rust through, slates slide down the roof one at a time, and eventually the whole roof reaches the point where it needs stripping and re-slating on new battens and membrane. We re-use sound slates where you want to keep the original look, and make up the shortfall with matching new slate.
Slate-effect tiles are thin, flat, fibre-reinforced or concrete tiles designed to look like slate from the street. They are lighter and quicker to lay than natural slate and much more economical, and they suit lower pitches where natural slate would not. Many of the re-roofs in our photos are slate-effect: grey and dark grey roofs with sharp, straight courses and dry ridge systems.
Slate needs a roofer who takes care over the details. Courses are set out to an even gauge, each slate is holed and nailed or hooked, and valleys, hips and abutments are lead or cut and mitred properly. It is slow work, and it is worth doing right.
When you call, you speak to the familyBest Top Roofing is family-run. The family that answers the phone and gives you the quote is the family that turns up and does the job.
What is included
- Natural slate re-roofs with new membrane and battens
- Sound original slates salvaged and re-used where wanted
- Slate-effect tile re-roofs for modern and post-war houses
- Slipped, cracked and missing slates replaced with tingles or hooks
- Lead valleys, soakers and step flashings on slate roofs
- Dry ridge, hip and verge systems
- Conservation-sensitive matching where required
Signs you need this
- Slates sliding out of line or lying in the gutter
- White or rusty nail stains on the slates
- Slates that are flaking or delaminating
- Damp on top-floor ceilings of a terraced house
- Several slates held on with old lead tingles
Slate roofing: our recent work
Every photo is one of our own jobs. Tap to enlarge.
Two Best Top roofers laying slate-effect tiles and a lead valley from the scaffold
Slate-effect roof with a dry ridge between chimneys on a terraced street
Dark slate-effect roof finished around a rear dormer, scaffold boards below
Grey slate-effect hip roof finished with a mechanically fixed dry hip and ridge
Close view of slate-effect tiles being fixed over red breathable membrane
How it works
Survey
We look at the slates, the nails, the battens and the lead, and discuss natural slate or slate-effect.
Fixed written price
Material, salvage and lead set out in writing.
Strip or repair
Slipped slates refixed, or the roof stripped and re-battened.
Slated and finished
New or salvaged slates laid to gauge, ridge and verge finished, scaffold down.
Slate is the most beautiful roof on a period street. We lay it the traditional way, course by course, and finish it with details that keep it watertight.
Slate roofing: your questions answered
Should I choose natural slate or slate-effect tiles?
Natural slate suits period houses and conservation areas and lasts longest. Slate-effect tiles are lighter, cheaper and suit most modern houses and lower pitches. We show you both at the survey.
Can you repair a few slipped slates?
Yes. Individual slates are refitted with a copper tingle or a slate hook, which holds them in place without stripping the roof.
Can old slates be re-used?
Often, yes. When we strip a slate roof we sort the sound slates for re-use, which keeps the original appearance, and make up any shortfall with a matching new slate.
Do slate roofs in conservation areas need permission?
Like-for-like re-slating normally does not need planning permission, but changing from natural slate to another material in a conservation area can. We advise you before any work is booked.
Is a slate roof heavier than a tile roof?
Natural slate is heavier than slate-effect tiles but lighter than many concrete tiles. Existing slate roofs are built for the weight; if you are changing material we check the structure.
Related services
Reviews
What customers say on Google
Dannie SmithQuoted the next day · June 2026
Thomas came and gave me a quote next day, very professional and clean work was carried out. I will be using best top roofing for all my projects going forward and would highly recommend them.
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R Vidya RLeaking felt roof repaired · September 2026
thanks to Thomas for fixing our roof. It was pleasure working with you. I feel confident that the water leak is accessed from all points and all problem addressed
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Lee SextonNew flat roof · April 2026
I needed a new flat roofing doing and this amazing company did it exactly how I wanted it. Highly recommended. Friendly and polite. Would use and again and tell all my friends and family.
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Mahmoud Al SuwwanRoof problem fixed · August 2026
We had a problem in our roof we called this company and they solved the problem so happy and satisfied. I really highly recommend if anyone needs roofing work done if I ever need a roofer again hopefully we don't if I ever did I will always use this company again, thank you so much, guys.
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Lisa DunneBlocked gutters cleared · April 2026
Cleaned out our gutters as were blocked and overflowing. Very happy with the job done. Thank you very much!
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Ligita KaledaiteChosen over other quotes · July 2026
Very friendly. Had couple of Quotes from other companys And this was the best company for it.
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Sally MaskellRoofing work by Thomas · June 2026
Very impressed with the work that Thomas has done. Definitely recommend.
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Scarlet BullRoofing work · August 2026
Professional, good quality work! Recommended.
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Checkatrade customerBalcony roof installation · August 2026
Fantastic, professional and polite throughout the job.
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10 year
re-roof
guarantee
Our guarantee
re-roof
guarantee
Every new re-roof guaranteed for 10 years, in writing
When we replace your roof, our workmanship is guaranteed for 10 years from the day we finish, and the membrane, tiles and slates carry their manufacturers' guarantees on top. Repairs and flat roofs are guaranteed too, with the terms for your job written on your quote. We are fully insured.
Covered
- Our workmanship on every new re-roof for 10 years
- Lead, flashings, ridges and verges we fit
- Flat roofs laid to the system's specification
- Repairs, with the terms written on the quote
On top
- Tile and slate manufacturer guarantees
- Membrane and flat roof system guarantees
- Photos of the finished job
- The same family to call if anything is wrong
Not covered
- Storm or accidental damage after completion
- Work altered or added by someone else
- Parts of the roof we did not work on
- Gutters left to block and overflow
The guarantee for your job is written on your quote before you agree to anything. Read the full guarantee.
Talk to us about slate roofing
Ring or send the form. We come out, look at the roof, show you what is needed and give you a fixed written price. No pressure and no hidden extras.