Traditional Clay Tiles in Oxfordshire
Heritage Tiles: Emblematic of the finest craftsmanship
Heritage tiles are the professional roofer's choice for the highest quality clay roof tiles. We pride ourselves in manufacturing, stocking, and delivering the very finest in prestige clay roof tiles.
Heritage Tiles have several tile ranges that satisfy every architectural requirement. Vintage and historic properties right up to modern new builds are covered by the diverse range of clay roof tiles that we stock.
So, whether you are in the building trade, or simply wish to choose your own tiles, Heritage Tiles have the right product for your specific requirements.
What Heritage Tiles have to offer our customers?
- We offer specification and technical solutions to help you achieve the perfect build.
- We also offer expert design advice to all our customers.
- We are happy to engage in site visits with our clients.
- We have stockists and distributors throughout the United Kingdom to ensure that we can provide our expert service to a wider area.
- We can provide estimated quantities from plans supplied by our clients.
- We offer battening plans.
- We can deliver a standard and bespoke colour choice for our clay tile products.
- All our tiles are assessed and approved by Lucideon.
- We provide a nationwide delivery and collection service.
The ranges of clay roof tiles we supply.
The Clayhall Range of roof tiles:
Clayhall Medium Blend - Carefully crafted to replicate all the features of handmade the Clayhall hand crafted range of tiles offers an excellent alternative when budget restrictions are a concern, but without compromising quality or durability.
Clayhall Dark Blend - Quality and durability in a budget clay roof tile. The Clayhall dark blend is sure to turn heads.
Clayhall Red Blend - A beautiful rustic clay roof tile. The Clayhall red blend is a firm favourite with our customers.
Clayhall Hamlet Mix - The Clayhall Hamlet mix is a gorgeous light and sandy looking clay roof tile that is a perennial favourite in the building trade.
Clayhall Birchwood Mix - The Clayhall Birchwood mix offers a gorgeous blend of lighter and darker shades in this diverse clay roof tile. If you are concerned that your roof tiles could look monotonous, the Clayhall Birchwood mix is the clay roof tile to choose.
The Conservation Range of roof tiles
The Conservation range of roof tiles are available in a range of distinctive colours, created by using a very fine sand, The Conservation Weathered; A natural warm tone, achieving an instant mellow and settled look and The Conservation Red; perfect for vertical tiling especially suited for villages and hamlets with olde world vernacular charm.
Manufactured using high quality clay, achieving high strength and durability properties, giving homeowners and contractors peace of mind for many years to come. The conservation range comes with a complete set of associated fittings, including Hog Back Ridge, Half Round Ridge, Bonnet Hips, Valley tiles and External Angles.
The Conservation range of clay roof tiles comes in the following variations:
- Conservation Red
- Conservation Weathered
- Conservation Dark
Conservation Peg Tile
Plain clay roofing tiles laid to a double lap have been used for roof covering in England since before the Norman Conquest and tiles dating back to Roman Times have been discovered under excavation. From the outset clay plain tiles were made incorporating fixing features.
The Classic Edwardian roof tile
The Classic range of plain tiles is one of the finest ranges of clay tiles.
We source only the best raw materials for our craftsman to create beautifully handmade clay tiles of the highest quality and durability.
Tile Fittings available from Heritage Tiles
There are many fittings that are available from us a Heritage Tiles to complete your build to perfection. We stock and supply the following:
- Gable Tile
- Eave Tile
- Baby Porch Ridge
- 90 Degree Ext. Angle
- Universal Bonnet Hip
- Half Round Ridge
- Hogs Back Ridge
- Mono Ridge
- Third Round Ridge
- Universal Valley
- Ornamental Club
- Bat Tile Set
Bat Tiles:
Provide help for our bats with our range of bat friendly roof tiles.
Did you know that all UK bats and their roosts are protected by law? The Wildlife and Countryside Act introduced in 1981, gave legal protection to all bat species and their roosts in England.
Distinct species of bats prefer differing places to roost. The two most usually found species of bat in the UK are the Pipistrelle and Brown Long-Eared Bat. Pipistrelle prefer confined spaces such as under tiles on roofs and hanging spaces. The Brown Long-Eared Bat prefer roof timbers and ridges inside lofts. Heritage Clay Tiles can provide purpose made access points within your roof tiles or ridge tiles. The Bat Tile Set can form part of a mitigation package required by law for existing roosts or as potential access where a roost had not previously been present.
Select a Blend
Getting the right blend for your roofing project can feel daunting, but with our blend generator you can mix and match various blends of tiles to achieve the perfect blend.
Click here to make use of our online tool to choose your own unique blend.
Because our strict quality control provides a consistent tile size you can mix assorted styles and colours of tiles to make your roof unique to you. Please use the tool below to experiment with various blends.
Adjust the sliders to set the ingredients for your desired blend then click on the update mix button.
Alternatively click on any blend or tile to display it.
Whatever type of clay roof tile you want, Heritage Tiles will be able to help.
Traditional Clay Tiles
Traditional clay tiles for a traditional home
Traditional clay tiles have a very long heritage in the United Kingdom. In fact, you don't have to look very hard to see traditional clay tiles finishing off some of the country's most iconic and historic properties.
Traditional clay tiles are still very popular, and with good reason too. While modern concrete tiles lose their colour over time, clay tiles hold their hue and even mature gracefully with age. They're incredibly durable, typically lasting around sixty years or even longer.
Modern, machine-made clay tiles can be used in both contemporary and traditional builds. But where authenticity is a primary concern, there's no substitute for traditional clay tiles.
What are Heritage Clay Tiles Ltd traditional clay tiles?
Historically, the clay for roof tiles was dug locally and left to weather before being worked. The blocks of clay were mixed with water and moulding sand before being thrown into wooden moulds, wire-cut to size and finished by hand. The tiles were stacked to dry out in the sun before being kiln-fired to secure the colour and texture.
The regional variation in the type of clay and moulding sands available, as well as the firing methods used, led to the many differences in the finished traditional clay tiles we see across the country today.
Differences could even be seen between tiles made by the same craftsman. His skills would add to the rich texture of the traditional clay tiles, providing the kind of individuality that's almost impossible to copy with a purely mechanised tile production process.
Types of traditional clay tiles
Handmade designs are available in wide range of shapes and sizes, including unusual ornamental styles, such as club and bull nose designs. However, the most common options are plain tiles and pantiles.
Plain clay tiles were standardised in the 15th century to a size of 6.5" wide, 10.5" deep and 0.5" thick. Those dimensions remain today, though machine-made versions are produced in equivalent metric sizes. Handmade traditional clay tiles are still crafted in imperial sizes to maintain the right proportions on restoration projects.
Traditionally, clay roof tiles were arched only along the length and had no other decorative features; however, they did have nibs and nail holes included for fitting purposes. Plain tiles are laid in a broken bond, known as double lapping, to achieve a watertight finish.
Pantiles tend to be more popular in certain parts of the country, such as the east coast of England and Scotland. These single-lap tiles are moulded into a flattened 'S' shape, creating a characteristic wave-and-trough look, although they have been used on many properties in the South East of England for many years too. The laying pattern and the fact that pantiles are larger than plain designs means that you only need around seventeen or so tiles per metre squared of roof space.
The clay used in traditional clay tiles from Heritage Clay Tiles Ltd
Generally, the clay used in traditional clay tiles is coarser than that used for machine-made tiles, while the finish is typically 'sand faced' to give a rough texture. The firing process can be used to enhance the colour, for example to create a brindled appearance.
A little information about Oxfordshire
Wolvercote in Oxfordshire
Wolvercote is a village that is part of the City of Oxford in Oxfordshire.
The Domesday Book of 1086 lists the village as Ulfgarcote, meaning the cottage of Woolgar; or Woolgar's place. The Oxfordshire village had become Wolvercote by 1185. Wolvercote housing faced onto its extensive commons, which provided much of the community's livelihood. Some residents still have ancient rights on the commons. Geese rearing was once an important local activity, and a goose is still one of the village symbols. Horses and cattle are still grazed on Wolvercote Common and Port Meadow. In 1789 the Oxford Canal divided the village into two parts, and in 1846 the Oxford and Rugby Railway was built beside the canal through the village. In 1850 the Buckinghamshire Railway was completed through a tunnel and cutting along the eastern edge of Upper Wolvercote.
The bridge in the Oxfordshire village bears a plaque in memory of two unfortunate airmen of the Royal Flying Corps who were killed nearby in a flying accident in 1912. Part of Port Meadow was used as a military airfield in the First World War; the Royal Artillery also had a base there. In 1940, a camp was set up on the meadow for evacuees from Dunkirk.
The Oxfordshire village in popular culture
Wolvercote in Oxfordshire was featured in a 1987 episode of the popular detective drama Inspector Morse, in which a wealthy American tourist was found dead in her hotel room shortly after arriving in Oxford to return a valuable artefact, the Wolvercote Tongue, one-half of an ancient belt buckle, to an Oxford archaeological museum. In the novel related to the television episode, The Jewel That Was Ours, the valuable tongue is never given to the museum, as it is stolen for the insurance money. The Anglo-Saxon-era Wolvercote Trove, which included the Tongue, features in the Inspector Morse prequel that was entitled Trove. Most of the Morse filming was carried out in and around Oxfordshire locations.
The parish church in Wolvercote
Like many other counties around the English countryside, the Church of England chose this part of Oxfordshire to build the parish church of Saint Peter. It has a 14th-century west tower with a 15th-century window and doorway. In 1860 the church except for the tower was demolished, and rebuilt to Gothic revival designs. The Norman tub font and a 14th-century south window of the chancel were retained, as well as 17th- and 18th-century monuments to the Walter family.
The Oxfordshire village at the heart of the paper industry
The paper mill in Lower Wolvercote, was the former supplier of paper to the Oxford University Press, and was once a major employer in this part of Oxfordshire. It was in existence by 1720, when it was bought by the 1st Duke of Marlborough. From 1782 the mill was leased to Oxford printer and publisher William Jackson, proprietor of the local newspaper Jackson's Oxford Journal which was published until 1928. The mill was entirely water-powered until 1811, when a steam engine was installed to power the paper-making process. The engine consumed 100 tons of coal per week, which was brought by narrow boat down the Oxford Canal, along Duke's Cut, and then down the mill stream which at the time was navigable as far as a wharf at the mill.
Two of the narrow boats belonged to the mill, having been bought in 1856 and travelled between there and the Midlands for over half a century until the mill sold them in 1916.
Products available from Heritage Clay Tiles Ltd in East Sussex
Clay Roof Tiles in East Sussex
Clayhall Roof Tiles in East Sussex
Conservation Peg 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
Victorian Roof Tiles in East Sussex
Products available from Heritage Clay Tiles Ltd in Essex
Conservation Peg Tiles 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 Peg 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
Victorian Roof Tiles in Hampshire
Products available from Heritage Clay Tiles Ltd in Hertfordshire
Clay Roof Tiles in Hertfordshire
Clayhall Roof Tiles in Hertfordshire
Conservation Peg 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
Victorian Roof Tiles in Hertfordshire
Products available from Heritage Clay Tiles Ltd in Kent
Conservation Peg Tiles 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 Peg Tiles 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
Victorian Roof Tiles in London
Products available from Heritage Clay Tiles Ltd in Surrey
Conservation Peg Tiles 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
Victorian 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 Peg 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
Victorian 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 Peg Tiles in Bedfordshire
Conservation Roof Tiles in Bedfordshire
Edwardian 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
Products available from Heritage Clay Tiles Ltd in Berkshire
Clayhall Roof Tiles in Berkshire
Conservation Peg Tiles in Berkshire
Conservation Roof Tiles in Berkshire
Edwardian Roof Tiles in Berkshire
Georgian Roof Tiles in Berkshire
Handmade Clay Tiles in Berkshire
Handmade Roof Tiles in Berkshire
High Quality Roof Tiles in Berkshire
Traditional Clay Tiles in Berkshire
Products available from Heritage Clay Tiles Ltd in Buckinghamshire
Clay Roof Tiles in Buckinghamshire
Clayhall Roof Tiles in Buckinghamshire
Conservation Peg Tiles in Buckinghamshire
Conservation Roof Tiles in Buckinghamshire
Edwardian Roof Tiles in Buckinghamshire
Georgian Roof Tiles in Buckinghamshire
Handmade Clay Tiles in Buckinghamshire
Handmade Roof Tiles in Buckinghamshire
High Quality Roof Tiles in Buckinghamshire
Traditional Clay Tiles in Buckinghamshire
Products available from Heritage Clay Tiles Ltd in Cambridgeshire
Clay Roof Tiles in Cambridgeshire
Clayhall Roof Tiles in Cambridgeshire
Conservation Peg Tiles in Cambridgeshire
Conservation Roof Tiles in Cambridgeshire
Edwardian Roof Tiles in Cambridgeshire
Georgian Roof Tiles in Cambridgeshire
Handmade Clay Tiles in Cambridgeshire
Handmade Roof Tiles in Cambridgeshire
High Quality Roof Tiles in Cambridgeshire
Traditional Clay Tiles in Cambridgeshire
Traditional Roof Tiles in Cambridgeshire
Victorian Roof Tiles in Cambridgeshire
Products available from Heritage Clay Tiles Ltd in Oxfordshire
Clay Roof Tiles in Oxfordshire
Clayhall Roof Tiles in Oxfordshire
Conservation Peg Tiles in Oxfordshire
Conservation Roof Tiles in Oxfordshire
Edwardian 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
Products available from Heritage Clay Tiles Ltd in Suffolk
Clayhall Roof Tiles in Suffolk
Conservation Peg Tiles in Suffolk
Conservation Roof Tiles in Suffolk
Edwardian 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
Victorian 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.
