Cotswold Stone Roofing Services

Cotswold Stone Slate Restoration & Repair
Reclaimed & Reproduction Stone Slate (Cardinal, Bradstone)
Experienced with Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas
Fully Insured and Guaranteed Work

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Cotswold Stone Roofing, Restored and Installed the Traditional Way

Cotswold stone roofing is built differently to a standard slate or tile roof. Each tile is hand-dressed and bedded in lime mortar, so the roof can move with the seasons without cracking the stone, and it takes real experience to get right.

At Empire Roofing, we specialise in Cotswold stone roofing across Oxford and Oxfordshire, working on everything from period cottages and farmhouses to listed buildings and conservation area properties.

Our Cotswold Stone Roofing Services

Cotswold Stone Roof Re-Roofing

Our team hand strips, dresses and re-holes every tile individually during a full re-roof, reusing sound reclaimed stone wherever we can and bringing in reproduction slate to make up the rest. We've carried this out on projects ranging from period farmhouses to large residential developments.

Cotswold Stone Roofing Repairs

Not every stone roof needs stripping back completely. Where only part of the roof has slipped, cracked or needs attention, our team carries out targeted repairs using the same hand dressing and re-holing methods, matching new or reclaimed stone to what's already there.

Reproduction Stone Slate Installation

Where reclaimed Cotswold stone isn't available, we fit reproduction slates from manufacturers including Cardinal and Bradstone, approved for use by councils including West Oxfordshire, Cherwell and Cheltenham.

New-Build Cotswold Stone Roofing

We fit Cotswold stone and reproduction slate roofing on new-build properties, giving them the same character as the period buildings around them while meeting current building regulations.

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Cotswold Stone Slate

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Cotswold Stone Roof Tiles & Reproduction Slate

Genuine Cotswold stone roof tiles are a limited and increasingly scarce material, which is why reclaimed stone plays such a large part in restoration and repair work. Where reclaimed stone isn't available, or where budget or building regulations call for an alternative, we also work extensively with reproduction slates from manufacturers such as Cardinal and Bradstone. These products are designed to closely match the appearance of genuine Cotswold stone slate and are approved for use by a number of local planning authorities, including:

West Oxfordshire District Council
Wychavon District Council
Cotswolds District Council
Vale of White Horse District Council
Stroud District Council
Cherwell District Council
Cheltenham Borough Council

Cotswold Stone Roofers for Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas

A large part of our work involves listed buildings and conservation area properties, where the choice of roofing material isn't always up to the homeowner. That usually comes down to a few things:

Listed Building Consent is usually required for any roofing work, regardless of whether planning permission is also needed.
Like-for-like replacement is often expected in conservation areas, matching the same material, finish and colour as the existing roof.
Council experience means we've worked directly with the councils listed above on Cotswold stone roofing projects, and can advise on what's likely to be required before work begins.

Our Heritage Roofing Services

Our Cotswold Stone Roofing Process

Inspection & Assessment

We start with a full inspection of the roof, including a drone survey where needed, to identify slipped or cracked tiles, check for any listed building or conservation area requirements, and assess which of the existing stone tiles can be reused.

Quote & Material Sourcing

We provide a clear, no-obligation quote based on the condition of the roof and the material needed, whether that's reclaimed Cotswold stone, or a council-approved reproduction slate such as Cardinal or Bradstone.

Strip & Sort

Existing stone tiles are hand stripped from the roof and sorted, with sound tiles set aside for reuse wherever possible.

Dress, Re-hole & Re-lay

Each tile is individually dressed and re-holed by hand by our specialist stone slating team, then laid in traditional diminishing courses and bedded in lime mortar.

Completion & Sign-Off

Once the roof is complete, we carry out a final check with you to make sure everything meets the standard expected on a Cotswold stone roof.

See Our Cotswold Stone Roofing Projects

Large-scale Residential Re-roofing for a Traditional, Cotswold Farmhouse

Old Farm, Swinbrook, Oxfordshire

A large-scale residential re-roofing project for a traditional Cotswold farmhouse, stables, and barn. Nearly 1,900 m² of regionally sourced Cotswold stone slates were carefully stripped, cut, and laid over TLX Gold membrane, with timber battens, corrosion-resistant fixings, and lime mortar ridge and hip tiles. Despite tight site access, the project delivered a fully weatherproof, long-lasting roof that blends traditional craftsmanship with modern performance, preserving the estate’s historic character.

See This Roofing Project

New-Build Residential Roof using Cotswold Stone Slate

Stonesfield, Oxfordshire

This project was part of a four-plot development in Stonesfield for a local property development company. We used Bradstone roof tiles on the pitched elevations of the main houses, with a dry ridge system to meet NHBC new-build regulations, and Spanish blue slate with a lead dormer on each garage to create a subtle material contrast.

See This Roofing Project

Heritage Re-Roofing with Reclaimed Cotswold Stone Slate

The Old Rectory, Cirencester, Gloucestershire

At the Old Rectory in Cirencester, we carried out a specialist heritage re-roofing project using natural Cotswold stone slates to meet conservation guidelines. To preserve the property’s historic character, every slate was carefully squared, remeasured, and installed in traditional diminishing courses. The ridges were finished with lime mortar in keeping with heritage roofing practices, and conservation rooflights were added to increase natural light while maintaining the building’s authenticity.

See This Roofing Project

Signs Your Cotswold Stone Roof Needs Attention

Cotswold stone roofing is a specialist trade, and roofs that have been repaired incorrectly in the past are something we see regularly. If your roof shows any of the following, it's worth having it checked before the problem gets worse:

Slipped or missing stone tiles, or ridge mortar that's crumbling or falling away
Daylight visible through the roof timbers, often a sign the underlay has perished
Cracked tiles where cement mortar has been used instead of lime, cement doesn't allow the roof to move seasonally the way lime does, and the stone cracks as a result
Mismatched tiles from a previous repair, which stand out and can affect how well the roof performs

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Roof Inspection for Cotswold Stone Roofs

Using high-resolution cameras, our qualified drone pilot can conduct a survey on your stone slate roofs safely, without the risk of damaging delicate tiles. We can identify slipped slates, cracked stones, or underlying issues across the entire roof area. If repairs are needed, our team can address them immediately, no need for multiple contractors or delays.

Ready to get in touch?

Fill in the form below, or give us a call on 01993 259226 to request a free quote for your new roof or roof repair needs. Our team will be happy to discuss your requirements and help you find the best solution for your roofing needs.

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Cotswold Stone Roofing FAQs

How much does Cotswold stone roofing cost?

Cost depends on the size of the roof, whether reclaimed or reproduction slate is used, and the condition of the existing roof structure. Genuine reclaimed Cotswold stone is a limited material and typically costs more than standard slate or tile roofing, while reproduction options such as Cardinal and Bradstone tend to be more cost-effective. Because every project varies, we provide a free, no-obligation quote once we've assessed the roof.

How long does a Cotswold stone roof last?

When properly maintained, natural Cotswold stone slate is extremely long-lasting and can remain in service for many decades, in some cases well over a century. Reproduction slates are manufactured to offer similar durability and weather resistance.

What's the difference between reclaimed and reproduction Cotswold stone slate?

Reclaimed Cotswold stone slate is genuine stone salvaged from existing roofs, which is why it's often used on listed buildings and heritage projects where authenticity matters. Reproduction slate, such as Cardinal or Bradstone, is manufactured to closely match the appearance of natural stone and is approved by a number of local councils, making it a practical option where reclaimed stone isn't available or where budget is a factor.

Do I need planning permission or Listed Building Consent for Cotswold stone roofing work?

If your property is listed, you'll usually need Listed Building Consent for roofing work, regardless of whether planning permission also applies. In conservation areas, local authorities often require like-for-like replacement using the same material and finish as the existing roof. We can advise on what's likely to apply to your property before work begins.

Can Cotswold stone roofing be used on new-build properties?

Wherever the existing stone is sound, we reuse it. Tiles are stripped by hand, sorted, and re-laid where they meet the standard needed, with reclaimed or reproduction stone used to make up any shortfall.

Will the new tiles match the colour of my existing roof?

We aim to match as closely as possible, whether that's reclaimed stone selected for a similar weathering, or reproduction tiles chosen to suit the existing colour. New stone will always look slightly different to weathered stone at first and will age in over time.