Roof Tiling & Slating in Reading, Basingstoke & Tadley

🪨 Our Roof Tiling & Slating Services

Our tiling and slating work covers the full range — individual tile and slate replacements, re-tiling over existing batten where felt and structure are sound, full strip and re-tile where the underlayment needs replacing, and new tiling on extensions and new-build sections. We carry out re-slating on natural Welsh and imported slate roofs, including sourcing matching slate for partial replacement work where an exact match is needed.

Ridge and hip tiles are part of every tiling job — we re-bed loose ridge tiles in mortar or fit a dry ridge system, depending on what's specified and the condition of the existing bedding. Verge details, lead soakers at valleys, and tile-to-abutment junctions are all dressed properly as part of the job. For more on ridge tile work specifically, see our ridge tile repair page. Where new felt and batten is needed, see felt and batten replacement.

🆚 Tiles vs Slate — What's the Difference?

Concrete tiles are the most common roofing material across the area and offer a lifespan of 50 to 70 years at a lower cost than natural slate. They come in a range of profiles — plain tiles, interlocking profiles, and large-format tiles — and can be colour-matched for most existing roofs. Clay tiles are a step up in quality and longevity, with a lifespan approaching 100 years, and are often preferred on older properties where clay was the original material.

Natural slate is the premium option — a properly laid slate roof can last well over 100 years with good maintenance. Welsh slate and reclaimed slate are used on period properties where authenticity matters. The trade-off is cost: slate takes more time to fix and the material itself is significantly more expensive than concrete tile. For most modern homes, good-quality concrete or clay tile is the practical choice. We'll advise you on the most appropriate option for your property.

❓ How Long Should a Tiled Roof Last?

A concrete or clay tiled roof should last 50 to 70 years under normal conditions, provided the tiles were installed correctly and the underlying felt and batten have been maintained. Natural slate roofs can last 100 years or more. The limiting factor on older roofs is often not the tiles themselves but the felt underneath — traditional torched felt has a shorter lifespan than the tiles above it, and when it degrades, slipped tiles and leaks become more frequent even if the tiles look sound.

On newer roofs with breathable underlays, the structure typically outlasts the tiles by a wide margin. The key indicators of a roof approaching the end of its life are widespread cracking and porosity in the tiles, recurring mortar failures at the ridge, and visible felt deterioration in the loft. A roof inspection will quickly tell you whether you're looking at a maintenance issue or something more significant.

Roof Tiling & Slating Across Tadley, Reading & Beyond

We carry out roof tiling and slating work throughout a 30-mile radius of Tadley, covering Tadley, Reading, Basingstoke, Fleet, Camberley, Farnborough, Newbury, Andover, Bramley, and Thatcham. Not sure if we cover your area? Call us and we'll confirm.