Handmade Roof Tiles in Buckinghamshire
Handmade Roof Tiles
Handmade roof tiles or machine made alternatives
There are so many options to consider when it comes to choosing roof tiles for any building project. There is slate, concrete, and some people are even starting to experiment with wooden shingles like the ones used in parts of the United States of America. There are not just aesthetic differences to these types of roof tiles, but practical differences too. The longevity of a roof tile is also a very important consideration when choosing the roofing materials for your building project.
Handmade roof tiles remain a traditional favourite
Clay roof tiles have been used as roof coverings for thousands of years, and as you can probably guess, ancient civilisations never had mechanical presses to make their roof tiles. The handmade roof tile would have been the go to roofing material throughout the ages, and to prove this, archaeologists have found evidence of handmade roof tiles in China dating back as far as 10,000 BC. When the Romans landed in Britain during the first century AD, they brought the tradition of using handmade roof tiles with them - and they used them to cover their many styles of buildings.
Although popular for centuries, handmade roof tiles didn't really become popular in Britain until after the Great Fire of Southwark in 1212. Following the fire, King John made a proclamation, stating that buildings in London should be finished with clay roof tiles, rather than thatched roofing, since they were resistant to fire. So, the handmade roof tile had gained a foothold in the construction industry as a direct result of the fire.
Handmade roof tiles: ancient tradition into the modern day
On the whole, roof tiles would have been made by hand in a very time consuming manufacturing process, and the roofers would often struggle to get them to fit together owing to inconsistencies in their shape. Today, we still use handmade roof tiles when the utmost quality is desired and particularly when a period look for the building being tiled is a major consideration. The difference today however is that with advanced manufacturing techniques and the expertise of the craft; handmade roof tiles are able to achieve a more uniform shape and consistency.
Should a premium heritage look not be essential to the build, and a cheaper alternative is required, clay roof tiles can be made by machines much faster and at a more affordable price.
Whether you choose handmade roof tiles or ones made by a machine, the traditional clay roof tiles that are manufactured today also conform to modern building standards and can be used in dry-fix roofing systems, meaning they can be installed quickly and securely while providing the look you are searching for.
Choosing handmade roof tiles over machine made
Aesthetics are everything when it comes to a quality handmade roof tile. Sure, they need to be certified frost resistant and dense enough to keep the elements out, but a beautifully handmade roof tile will lift any property, whether that property happens to be a traditional period property or a more modern build.
Although handmade roof tiles are often chosen for a period property renovation, they can look equally magnificent on the more up to date dwelling.
In the end, your choice of roofing tile doesn't need to be based on whether you want something modern or traditional. Because you can achieve a traditional or contemporary style while enjoying the benefits of advanced manufacturing techniques that allow the handmade roof tile to be as consistent in shape as the machine made alternative.
The chances are that you will want to be concentrating on factors such as how the roof is designed, the durability of the roof tiles you choose and your budget. Then and only then, will you want to be bothered with selecting a roof tile that meets your building requirements, as well as the aesthetic you want to achieve. This is where the handmade roof tile really does come into its own.
The look that only a handmade roof tile can deliver
When you are thinking about the appearance of your handmade roof tile, you'll need to think about whether you want your property to stand out or blend in with its surroundings. This may involve looking at your location and what's in general use around you. For example, a bang up to date modern building with lots of floor to ceiling glazing and clean straight lines is going to lend itself to a machine made, uniform roof tile. A more period property would benefit from a traditional handmade roof tile that is in keeping with the overall appearance of the neighbouring properties. Roofing styles tend to vary depending on where you are, as the south-east has a good deal of properties that employ red clay tiles, and these lend themselves to the handmade roof tile perfectly.
Whatever type of property you have, if you'd like some help in deciding which type of roof tile is right for your building project, please get in touch with us for some professional advice. We have some of the best value handmade roof tiles money can buy.
A little information about Buckinghamshire
History of Chesham in Buckinghamshire
This part of Buckinghamshire revealed archaeological evidence of the earliest settlement during the Late Mesolithic period around 5000 BC in East Street, Chesham where large quantities of flint tools were found. The earliest farming evidence from the Neolithic era around 2500 BC. Bronze Age tribes settled in the Buckinghamshire valley around 1800 BC and they were succeeded by Iron Age Belgic people of the Catuvellauni tribe around 500 BC. Between 150 and 400 AD, there is evidence of Romano-British farming, and nearby at Latimer, there is archaeological evidence of a Roman villa and the planting of grapevines, proving Roman habitation in this part of Buckinghamshire. The Buckinghamshire area was then deserted until the Saxon period around the 7th century.
Contrary to popular belief, the Buckinghamshire town is not named after the river; but the other way round. The first recorded reference to Chesham is under the Old English name Caestaeleshamm, meaning "the river-meadow at the pile of stones" around 970 in the will of Lady Aelfgifu, who has been identified with the former wife of King Eadwig. She held an estate here which she bequeathed to Abingdon Abbey.
Prior to the Norman Conquest, there were three adjacent estates which comprised Caestreham which are briefly recorded in the Domesday Book as having four mills. The most important of these manors was held by Queen Edith, the widow of Edward the Confessor, with other parts of Buckinghamshire having been returned to the Crown. Part of these later became Chesham Bois parish. After 1066 Edith kept her lands and William the Conqueror divided royal lands between his half brother Odo, Bishop of Bayeux and Hugh de Bolbec.
The land owners of Chesham in Buckinghamshire
The Domesday Book records that there were three manors in Cestreham and one at nearby Latimer. William the Conqueror shared out the estates between four of his dependants. The vast majority of his land in Buckinghamshire was granted to Hugh de Bolebec and smaller parcels to Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, Toustain Mantel and Alsi.
Before the 13th century, the three Cestreham manors were known as Chesham Higham, Chesham Bury and Chesham Bois. In the 14th century they were first recorded as the manors of Great Chesham. Collectively they extended beyond the current Chesham town boundary. Together with the manor at Latimer they were held by the Earls of Oxford and Surrey. During the 16th century Greater Chesham was owned by the Seymour family who disposed of it to the Cavendish family who were the Earls and later Dukes of Devonshire. It is from the 15th century that the earliest surviving properties survive and are to be found close by the church in an area called the Nap, and along part of the present-day Church Street.
Evidence of churches in this part of Buckinghamshire
Although there appears to be no remains of any church prior to the Norman Conquest in this part of Buckinghamshire, the discovery of puddingstones beneath the present-day church suggests a wooden church was constructed on the site during the Anglo-Saxon period. During the 12th century two families of Norman descent, the de Bolebecs and the Sifrewasts, each held a share of the land.
Religious dissent in Buckinghamshire
Chesham is noted for the religious dissent which dominated the Buckinghamshire town from the 15th century. In 1532 Thomas Harding was burnt at the stake in the town for being a Lollard and heretic. From the 17th century, Chesham was a focus for those dissenting from mainstream religion.
The Quakers movement was rising in Buckinghamshire at this time and they met in the late 17th century in Chesham and in 1798 they built the current meeting house. The first Baptists' meeting dates back to about 1640 and a place was registered for services in 1706. The first chapel was opened in 1712, one of many to be built for the various Baptist groups during the 18th and 19th centuries. John Wesley preached in this part of Buckinghamshire in the 1760s and a Wesleyan Methodist society existed in the town.
Products available from Heritage Clay Tiles Ltd in East Sussex
Clay Roof Tiles in East Sussex
Clayhall Roof Tiles in East Sussex
Conservation Roof Tiles in East Sussex
Edwardian Roof Tiles in East Sussex
Victorian Roof Tiles in East Sussex
Georgian Roof Tiles in East Sussex
Handmade Clay Tiles in East Sussex
Handmade Roof Tiles in East Sussex
High Quality Roof Tiles in East Sussex
Traditional clay tiles in East Sussex
Traditional roof tiles in East Sussex
Products available from Heritage Clay Tiles Ltd in Essex
Conservation Roof Tiles in Essex
High Quality Roof Tiles in Essex
Traditional clay tiles in Essex
Traditional roof tiles in Essex
Products available from Heritage Clay Tiles Ltd in Hampshire
Clayhall Roof Tiles in Hampshire
Conservation Roof Tiles in Hampshire
Edwardian Roof Tiles in Hampshire
Victorian Roof Tiles in Hampshire
Georgian Roof Tiles in Hampshire
Handmade Clay Tiles in Hampshire
Handmade Roof Tiles in Hampshire
High Quality Roof Tiles in Hampshire
Traditional clay tiles in Hampshire
Traditional roof tiles in Hampshire
Products available from Heritage Clay Tiles Ltd in Hertfordshire
Clay Roof Tiles in Hertfordshire
Clayhall Roof Tiles in Hertfordshire
Conservation Roof Tiles in Hertfordshire
Edwardian Roof Tiles in Hertfordshire
Victorian Roof Tiles in Hertfordshire
Georgian Roof Tiles in Hertfordshire
Handmade Clay Tiles in Hertfordshire
Handmade Roof Tiles in Hertfordshire
High Quality Roof Tiles in Hertfordshire
Traditional clay tiles in Hertfordshire
Traditional roof tiles in Hertfordshire
Products available from Heritage Clay Tiles Ltd in Kent
Conservation Roof Tiles in Kent
High Quality Roof Tiles in Kent
Traditional clay tiles in Kent
Traditional roof tiles in Kent
Products available from Heritage Clay Tiles Ltd in London
Conservation Roof Tiles in London
Edwardian Roof Tiles in London
Victorian Roof Tiles in London
High Quality Roof Tiles in London
Traditional clay tiles in London
Traditional roof tiles in London
Products available from Heritage Clay Tiles Ltd in Surrey
Conservation Roof Tiles in Surrey
Edwardian Roof Tiles in Surrey
Victorian Roof Tiles in Surrey
High Quality Roof Tiles in Surrey
Traditional clay tiles in Surrey
Traditional roof tiles in Surrey
Products available from Heritage Clay Tiles Ltd in West Sussex
Clay Roof Tiles in West Sussex
Clayhall Roof Tiles in West Sussex
Conservation Roof Tiles in West Sussex
Edwardian Roof Tiles in West Sussex
Victorian Roof Tiles in West Sussex
Georgian Roof Tiles in West Sussex
Handmade Clay Tiles in West Sussex
Handmade Roof Tiles in West Sussex
High Quality Roof Tiles in West Sussex
Traditional clay tiles in West Sussex
Traditional roof tiles in West Sussex
Products available from Heritage Clay Tiles Ltd in Bedfordshire
Clay Roof Tiles in Bedfordshire
Clayhall Roof Tiles in Bedfordshire
Conservation Roof Tiles in Bedfordshire
Edwardian Roof Tiles in Bedfordshire
Victorian Roof Tiles in Bedfordshire
Georgian Roof Tiles in Bedfordshire
Handmade Clay Tiles in Bedfordshire
Handmade Roof Tiles in Bedfordshire
High Quality Roof Tiles in Bedfordshire
Traditional clay tiles in Bedfordshire
Traditional roof tiles in Bedfordshire
Products available from Heritage Clay Tiles Ltd in Buckinghamshire
Clay Roof Tiles in Buckinghamshire
Clayhall Roof Tiles in Buckinghamshire
Conservation Roof Tiles in Buckinghamshire
Edwardian Roof Tiles in Buckinghamshire
Victorian Roof Tiles in Buckinghamshire
Georgian Roof Tiles in Buckinghamshire
Handmade Clay Tiles in Buckinghamshire
High Quality Roof Tiles in Buckinghamshire
Traditional clay tiles in Buckinghamshire
Traditional roof tiles in Buckinghamshire
Products available from Heritage Clay Tiles Ltd in Cambridgeshire
Clay Roof Tiles in Cambridgeshire
Clayhall Roof Tiles in Cambridgeshire
Conservation Roof Tiles in Cambridgeshire
Edwardian Roof Tiles in Cambridgeshire
Victorian Roof Tiles in Cambridgeshire
Georgian Roof Tiles in Cambridgeshire
Handmade Clay Tiles in Cambridgeshire
Handmade Roof Tiles in Cambridgeshire
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Traditional clay tiles in Cambridgeshire
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Products available from Heritage Clay Tiles Ltd in Oxfordshire
Clay Roof Tiles in Oxfordshire
Clayhall Roof Tiles in Oxfordshire
Conservation Roof Tiles in Oxfordshire
Edwardian Roof Tiles in Oxfordshire
Victorian Roof Tiles in Oxfordshire
Georgian Roof Tiles in Oxfordshire
Handmade Clay Tiles in Oxfordshire
Handmade Roof Tiles in Oxfordshire
High Quality Roof Tiles in Oxfordshire
Traditional clay tiles in Oxfordshire
Traditional roof tiles in Oxfordshire
Products available from Heritage Clay Tiles Ltd in Suffolk
Clayhall Roof Tiles in Suffolk
Conservation Roof Tiles in Suffolk
Edwardian Roof Tiles in Suffolk
Victorian Roof Tiles in Suffolk
Georgian Roof Tiles in Suffolk
Handmade Clay Tiles in Suffolk
Handmade Roof Tiles in Suffolk
High Quality Roof Tiles in Suffolk
Traditional clay tiles in Suffolk
Traditional roof tiles in Suffolk
Further Information
If you would like to know more or are interested in a quote we would be happy to help. Phone us on 01634 471 344, email us at sales@heritagetiles.co.uk and we will be in touch as soon as possible.
