Moose Renovations, Extensions & Roofing
Breathing New Life into a Freshwater Favourite: A Recycled Welsh Slate Re-Roof in Time for Christmas
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How our team (with a little festive help!) restored a Victorian roof using its original Welsh slate — and discovered a rather questionable chimney surprise…
TL;DR
- Full re-roof in Freshwater using recycled original Welsh slate.
- New club-crested ridge tiles and finials added for period charm.
- Roof had become nail-sick, with slates held on mostly by gravity.
- Chimney discovered with only chicken wire covering it — properly restored.
- Project completed with help from Seabrooks Roofing before Christmas.
Freshwater has no shortage of charming period homes, but every now and then we come across one whose character deserves a little extra love. This project was exactly that: a full re-roof on a beautiful property whose original Welsh slate had sadly reached the end of its life. Or so it seemed…
The roof was well past its best — the classic case of nail sickness, where the old iron nails have deteriorated to the point that gravity becomes the only thing keeping the slates in place. And as much as we like gravity, it’s not quite up to British weather standards.
With Christmas looming, and the scaffold hire clock ticking, we teamed up with Seabrooks Roofing, who handled all the slate work so we could get this project wrapped up before Santa made his rounds. Teamwork makes the dream work — especially when deadlines involve mince pies.
Recycling Welsh Slate — Keeping History on the Roof
One of the highlights of this project was the chance to reuse the original Welsh slate. This slate is famously durable, beautifully textured, and miles better than many modern alternatives. Even after decades of service, much of the material was still strong enough to return to the roof once carefully sorted and graded.
Recycling the slate not only preserved the character of this historic home but also reduced waste and kept the project more economical for the homeowner. A win for heritage, a win for sustainability, and a win for the wallet.
To complement it, we installed new club-crested ridge tiles and decorative finials, giving the whole roofline a crisp, elegant finish while keeping things true to the building’s original style.
And Then There Was the Chimney…
The final photo tells a bit of a story. When we reached the chimney, we were greeted not by proper cowls, pots, or leadwork — but by a stretch of chicken wire casually tacked across the top like a make-do barbecue grill.
Now, we admire DIY spirit as much as the next person, but chicken wire is best kept for chickens — not chimneys. Not only can it’t keep weather out effectively, but it can also trap debris, encourage damp problems, and invite our feathered friends to set up home where they really shouldn’t.
Rest assured, the chimney is now structurally secure, weather-tight, and considerably more respectable!
Another Isle of Wight Rooftop Ready for Decades to Come
Between the restored Welsh slate, new decorative ridge, and fully renewed detailing, this Freshwater home now has a roof that blends craftsmanship with character — and should stand proud for many, many years.
A big thanks again to Seabrooks Roofing for their help, and to the lovely homeowners who trusted Moose Roofing & Building with their restoration.
If your own roof is feeling a bit “held on by gravity alone”, you know where to find us.
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