Slating and Tiling in Jersey

What the job involves

A slating or tiling job starts with a full survey of the existing roof structure, battens and underlay before we quote for the work. On re-roofs we strip the old covering back to the rafters, check the timber, replace any sections showing rot or nail sickness, then fit new breathable membrane and treated battens at the correct gauge for the slate or tile being used.

For repairs, we identify the failed slates or tiles, source a matching replacement where possible, and re-fix using appropriate nails or clips so the repair sits flush with the surrounding courses. We also check ridge tiles, verges and hip lines while we're on the roof, since these areas fail before the main field of slates usually does.

New build and extension work follows the same standards, with slates or tiles laid to the correct headlap and side lap for the pitch and exposure zone the property sits in.

Common problems we fix

Jersey's coastal position and older housing stock mean we see the same recurring faults across the island.

• Salt air corrosion of nails and fixings on exposed elevations
• Slipped or missing slates after Atlantic gales and storm damage
• Nail sickness on Victorian and Edwardian slate roofs where fixings have perished
• Lichen and moss build-up trapping moisture under slates on north-facing pitches
• Cracked or delaminating slates from decades of weathering
• Granite property detailing around chimneys and abutments that needs matching, not just patching
• Wind-driven rain penetration through worn or missing ridge and hip tiles
• Underlay perished beyond its service life, allowing damp into the roof void

Materials and standards we use

We fit natural Spanish and Welsh slate, cement fibre slate, clay pantiles and plain tiles depending on the property, its age and the look the owner wants. Natural slate is still the most common choice for granite properties and conservation-sensitive locations, while cement fibre slate offers a cost-effective alternative with a similar appearance for newer builds.

All slating and tiling work is carried out to BS 5534, the British Standard covering fixing specifications for wind exposure, headlap and mechanical fixing of slates and tiles. Given Jersey's exposure to Atlantic weather, we generally specify fixings and lap at the higher end of what the standard allows rather than the minimum.

How much does it cost in Jersey

There's no single price for a slate or tile roof because so much depends on the individual property. Roof size and pitch are the starting point, since a steep, complex roof with multiple hips and valleys takes longer to strip and re-cover than a simple gable roof of the same area.

Access and scaffolding add a variable cost too, particularly on terraced properties in St Helier or roofs close to boundary walls where working platforms need careful planning. The condition of the timber found once we strip the old covering can also change the price, as can the material chosen, since natural slate costs more than cement fibre alternatives, and freight to the island affects lead times and pricing on imported materials. Listed or registered buildings may need slate matched to the original, which narrows supplier options.

Every quote we provide is free and written, so you know exactly what's included before any work starts.