Handmade Roof Tiles in Cambridgeshire
Handmade Roof Tiles
Handmade roof tiles: Perfection for your building project
With the prices of property so high, more and more people are choosing to extend their existing property, rather than sell up and move somewhere else. They tend to match the bricks and other elements such as doors and windows, but it's surprising at how many properties don't have matching roof tiles.
When you have a property that has handmade roof tiles on the main house and machine made roof tiles on the extension, it sticks out like a sore thumb. Matching the handmade roof tiles with a similar product these days is much easier than it used to be. Colour and texture matching of handmade roof tiles is a major consideration when it comes to making the new extension blend into the existing property.
Clay handmade roof tiles
Clay roof tiles are suitable for both traditional and modern homes, and come in a very attractive range of colours, from warm reds and oranges to rich blues and greys. The textures present on handmade roof tiles are very pleasing too and are rarely matched by machine made alternatives.
The material you choose for your roof plays a vital role in establishing the overall character of your property, and few materials match the warm, handcrafted appeal of clay. Clay is a natural product and a handmade roof tile enhances the natural beauty of the property like no other product can.
The Benefits of handmade roof tiles
One of the advantages of choosing clay handmade roof tiles is that they're made from a natural material, which means your tiles will never fade, they will simply look better as the years roll by. Handmade roof tiles are like a fine wine, they only get better with age. This is down to the natural weathering that deepens the shade and colouring of the handmade roof tile over time. Alternative roofing materials that have been artificially pigmented, such as concrete, eventually fade due to exposure to UV light.
Handmade roof tiles come in many different sizes and profiles, from plain and S-shaped pantile units to more decorative designs, such as bullnose and club tiles. The other beauty of the handmade roof tile is that it can be custom built to your exact specification. Sure, they'll cost more, but true quality always will.
Handmade roof tiles are very durable and have amazing longevity. The handmade roof tile will also help to protect the property against the effects of the elements that attack a property all year round.
Handmade roof tiles age gracefully
Handmade roof tiles will transform your property. They look amazing and the gorgeous texture will encourage lichen to adhere, simply adding to the natural beauty as the tile ages. Like any other roof tile, handmade roof tiles are relatively fragile, and shouldn't be walked on and one should always use crawling boards when maintenance is carried out.
Handmade roof tiles stand up to inclement weather very well, but like any roof tile, they may become loose and fall off in very high winds.
Handmade roof tiles are not necessarily the cheapest option for your roofing requirements, so if you are on a very tight budget, a cheaper option may be the solution, but as the saying goes, you get what you pay for!
The making of handmade roof tiles
Clay is dug from the earth and then aged for a few months to allow any soluble salts to leech out. Next, it is worked to the correct particle size and water content, depending on the type of tile needed. The material is then formed into a tile, either by hand. The face colour of the tile is achieved by pressing sand into the surface of the clay and by the firing conditions inside the kiln.
After an extensive drying period, the tiles are fired in kilns to the correct temperature, depending on the type of clay used. A good quality handmade roof tile needs to be the correct size, shape and colour, and frost resistant to certified standards. To achieve this, quality control measures are adhered to at various stages throughout the manufacturing process.
How long do handmade roof tiles last?
Providing they're fitted correctly and well maintained, a good quality handmade roof tile has a pretty impressive lifespan. Most manufacturers of handmade roof tiles guarantee their products for between thirty and fifty years, and in reality if you care for your tiles it's not unreasonable to expect them to last over sixty years. Clearly, there are examples of some handmade roof tiles lasting for many centuries, but these have been found on archaeological digs, so the efficacy for weather proofing has not been put to the test.
Of course, the longevity of your handmade roof tiles depends on the conditions. Moss and lichen will grow more readily on damp clay, so be sure to keep your gutters clear from debris to allow rainwater to be channelled away from your roof effectively, but above all, enjoy the beauty of your handmade roof tiles for many years to come.
A little information about Cambridgeshire
Ely, Cambridgeshire
The ancient city of Ely occupies the largest island in the Cambridgeshire Fens. The Isle of Ely is so called because it was only accessible by boat until the waterlogged Fens were drained in the 17th century. This part of Cambridgeshire is still prone to flooding today, it was these watery surrounds that gave Ely its original name of the Isle of Eels.
It was an Anglo Saxon princess, Saint Ethelreda, who founded the first Christian community on the islands hill top site in 673 A.D. for both monks and nuns. Like her father Anna, the king of East Anglia, Ethelfreda had become an devout supporter of the new religion that was fast spreading across Cambridgeshire and the rest of the country.
Ely in Cambridgeshire is very rich in folk history and was also the stronghold of Hereward the Wake. Hereward exploited the natural defences of the Isle of Eels to stage the final Anglo Saxon resistance to the Norman invasion of 1066, led by William the Conqueror. Unfortunately for Hereward however, he did not have the full support of the Ely monks, some of whom provided William with the information he needed to capture the island.
Hereward escaped to fight another day, but William exacted a heavy toll on the abbot and monks of Ely. At that time Ely was the second richest monastery in England, but in order to gain their pardon the monks were forced to melt down and sell all the silver and gold objects within the church as recompense.
Visiting the Cambridgeshire Cathedral
Around this famous Cambridgeshire Cathedral you can explore the beautiful parkland and gardens including one of the largest collections of medieval monastery buildings still in use on a daily basis. The Cathedral also has two Shops and a superb local restaurant which make your trip to the iconic Cambridgeshire site even more memorable.
It is easy to spend an entire day, and possibly even longer, exploring the cathedral and the city of Ely with its wonderful riverside, shops, tearooms and many other attractions including Oliver Cromwells House and the Ely Museum.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Handmade Clay Tiles in Bedfordshire
Handmade Roof Tiles in Bedfordshire
Products available from Heritage Clay Tiles Ltd in Buckinghamshire
Clay Roof Tiles in Buckinghamshire
Handmade Clay Tiles in Buckinghamshire
Handmade Roof Tiles in Buckinghamshire
Products available from Heritage Clay Tiles Ltd in Cambridgeshire
Clay Roof Tiles in Cambridgeshire
Handmade Clay Tiles in Cambridgeshire
Products available from Heritage Clay Tiles Ltd in Suffolk
Handmade Clay Tiles in Suffolk
Handmade 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.
