Stone slate roofs are part of what makes the Cotswolds the Cotswolds. Here's how they work, what goes wrong, and what to expect from a re-roof.
What makes a Cotswold stone slate roof
Cotswold stone slates are split from local oolitic limestone, traditionally laid in diminishing courses — bigger slates at the eaves, smaller at the ridge — and pegged or hung with riven oak laths.
It's a craft roof, and on properties around Witney, Burford, Woodstock and the West Oxfordshire villages, it's often a planning requirement as well as a defining visual feature.
A well-maintained stone slate roof can last 100+ years. The stone itself is extremely durable; what fails first is usually the fixings (oak pegs, nails) and the supporting battens or laths beneath.
Reclaimed stone slates from a previous re-roof are routinely re-used on new work — making good materials very valuable.
Slipped slates from failed pegs. Delaminating slates (the stone splitting along its bedding planes from freeze-thaw). Failed underlay or no underlay at all on older roofs. Sagging sections from overloaded or under-spec'd timbers. Failed lead work at valleys, abutments and chimneys.
Individual slipped slates can be re-hung, and isolated damaged slates replaced. A full re-roof is a major job: scaffolding for the duration, careful stripping and sorting of slates for re-use, replacement battens and underlay, and re-hanging in correct diminishing courses.
It's not a job for general roofers — it needs experience with stone, the right hand tools, and patience.
Planning and conservation
Many Cotswold properties sit in conservation areas or are listed. Like-for-like repair is usually permitted; significant changes (different materials, altered roof shape) usually need consent.
We strongly recommend checking with your local planning authority before any major work on a stone slate roof — and make sure your roofer is comfortable working within those constraints.
What to expect from a re-roof
Expect higher costs per square metre than a standard tile re-roof — often two to three times. Expect a longer programme. Expect occasional surprises once the slates are off (rotten timbers, failed lead). And expect a roof that should comfortably outlast you when it's done properly.
We work on Cotswold stone properties across Witney, Burford and the surrounding villages. Read more on our new roofs and replacements service.
Are Cotswold stone slates the same as Welsh slate?
No — they're a thicker, split limestone laid in diminishing courses, completely different from thin, uniform Welsh slate.
Can I use reclaimed stone slates?
Yes, and it's often the right choice for character and matching neighbouring properties. Sound reclaimed slates are highly valued.
Do stone slate roofs need underlay?
Modern best practice fits a breathable underlay during a re-roof. Many older roofs have none — which works while the slates are perfect, but offers no backup once they slip.
Evans Roofing & Maintenance Ltd, Witney, Oxfordshire. Call 07960 482233 for a free written quote.