Heritage Roofing Haddington
Haddington is a town that’s built to last. Medieval churches, traditional stone cottages, Georgian villas; you’ll see all these original roofs and more as you walk around the streets of Haddington. The historic architecture wouldn’t be the same if roofs weren’t restored and repaired using the same care they were first designed with. Heritage roofing is how we ensure every building in Haddington retains its integrity and beauty, and protects the traditional look of our townscape. Specialising in the preservation and restoration of traditional roofs, Greyfriars Roofing is committed to the conservation roofing in Haddington and across East Lothian.
We have experience working on stone cottages, Victorian terraces and townhouses, civic buildings, churches and many private properties within conservation areas. Our restoration of Haddington’s built heritage has been the priority for every project, to help ensure it is conserved for the future.
At Greyfriars Roofing, our family-run team has over 60 years combined practical roofing experience. We have the skills to use traditional restoration methods such as hand-dressing slate alongside modern roofing techniques to provide large-scale restorations and detailed repair work. From sourcing reclaimed Scottish slate to fit a roof repair, to conserving intricate leadwork on listed features, every project is delivered with attention to detail.
We work with conservation officers and East Lothian Council planning departments to ensure listed building consent is acquired where needed. Our extensive knowledge of the history of buildings in Haddington means we are able to offer expert advice, and select the most suitable materials for any roof design. We are proud to play our part in preserving the identity of Haddington, with each roof we restore maintaining the historic skyline that will be enjoyed for generations to come.
Award winning Heritage Roofers
Experienced Heritage Roofers
Comprehensive Heritage Roofing Services
Heritage Roofing Services in Haddington
Our heritage roofing services at Greyfriars Roofing cover all possible requirements your historic roof may require. We take all roofing jobs regardless of size or complexity because our priority is to keep your roof secure and weatherproof while maintaining its original design. These key services represent our core offerings as a heritage roofing company.

Heritage Roof Repairs and Maintenance
From fixing leaks to replacing broken slates or tiles, we handle all kinds of repair works on historic roofs. Often heritage roof repairs require custom solutions – like hand-crafting a lead saddle for an awkward valley or sourcing a rare type of clay tile. We also offer maintenance plans, because preventative care (regular gutter cleaning, inspecting flashings, etc.) can extend the life of your roof and catch issues early.

Heritage Roof Restoration and Re-Roofing
Our team takes on comprehensive heritage roof restoration projects when roofs require extensive renovation instead of simple spot-repairs. The restoration process includes removing the roof covering with care followed by timber structure repairs when necessary before re-covering the roof with fresh or recycled materials. The building receives protection through our restoration work which also results in a substantial enhancement of its value and appearance.

Leadwork, Flashing & Gutter Replacement
Our expertise includes leadwork which allows us to repair and install lead flashings and gutters along with valleys, downpipes and full lead roofs for structures like bay windows or church porches. Our team refurbishes heritage guttering systems through methods like soldering pinholes in lead gutters or replacing damaged sections of cast iron gutters. Heritage roofing requires a matching drainage system since a properly restored roof depends on effective gutters.

Heritage Chimney, Masonry Work and Repairs
We provide chimney repairs which include rebuilding unstable stone chimney heads and fitting lead chimney flashings. Our team partners with experienced stonemasons to guarantee that masonry work on historic roofs matches existing original stonework. We offer a seamless solution which keeps the historic appearance of the building by managing both roofing and masonry tasks together.

Heritage Commercial Roofing Projects
Greyfriars heritage commercial roofing portfolio includes work on churches, historic public buildings, farm steadings, and commercial heritage sites. From our decades of experience in working on heritage roofs, we understand the complexities of bigger heritage projects – dealing with multiple stakeholders, ensuring public safety around the site, and protecting the building’s contents.

Emergency Repairs and Storm Damage
Older roofs can be vulnerable to storm damage – high winds or heavy rain can dislodge materials or exacerbate leaks. We offer prompt emergency call-outs for heritage roofs in distress. Our crew will perform temporary fixes to prevent further water ingress, and then follow up with proper repairs once weather permits. You can have peace of mind that urgent repairs won’t turn into unsightly scars on your historic home.
Free Heritage Quotes & Advice
Free Heritage Roofing Quotes & Advice
Why Choose Greyfriars Roofing for Your Haddington Heritage Project?
Heritage roofing in Haddington and across East Lothian requires experience and credibility for lasting results. Haddington’s special townscape includes medieval churches, Georgian villas, and stone cottages, all of which need specialist care that’s more than just regular roof maintenance. Greyfriars Roofing combines traditional craftsmanship with professional standards that are recognised by property owners and surveyors. For more than 40 years, we have served Haddington with a heritage roofing reputation built on trust.
Specialist Generations of Experience
Our family business combines 60 years of practical roofing experience, from the past and current generations of the Greyfriars team. We have completed a wide range of heritage projects in and around Haddington including Listed stone properties, period townhouses and conservation area properties. We can also respond to community heritage projects where we have roofed local landmarks and churches. Our team can confidently work with all traditional materials and techniques from reclaimed Scottish slate to bespoke lead detailing, all to the highest historical standards.
Awards and Industry Recognition for Quality Craftsmanship
At regional and national level, our heritage roofing work has been recognised in the industry. In 2019, we were awarded the NFRC Scottish Roofing Contractor of the Year for Lead Roofing after a major church restoration. Most recently, the Lead Contractors Association Murdoch Awards has shortlisted us as a finalist in both 2023 and 2024. This award recognises our skill at historic leadwork and our overall commitment to the leadwork craft. Professional Accreditations and Standards Our accreditations are an indication of our ongoing commitment to delivering quality, trustworthy work. Greyfriars Roofing is registered with TrustMark, which demonstrates we are an ethical business with the highest standards of workmanship. Our membershi p of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) holds us to strict industry regulations. This is alongside our regular investment in CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) and full membership of the Lead Contractors Association (LCA), who have given us an ‘Excellent’ rating in compliance audits. This is an important indicator to us that we are consistently meeting the very highest of standards in heritage roofing.
Local Expertise Grown Through Referrals
Our Haddington heritage roofing business has expanded through referrals and strong relationships with our clients, built over the years. We have restored roofs for private homeowners and property developers, as well as churches and civic buildings. Our reliable service and attention to architectural detail have gained us a local reputation for caring about Haddington’s historic townscape, with every restoration done to the highest standards. We understand how important your home is to you, and aim to protect Haddington’s architectural heritage with care and precision. If your home has a roof, Greyfriars Roofing can help. We offer expert roof repairs and restorations, and understand that every slate, tile and lead detail matters on your historic property.


Free Heritage Quotes & Advice
Free Heritage Roofing Quotes & Advice
Client Testimonials and Our Trusted Reputation
We believe the true measure of our work is the satisfaction of our clients. Over the years, we’ve been fortunate to work on many wonderful heritage projects, and our customers’ kind words motivate us to keep our standards sky-high. One testimonial, in particular, sums up what Greyfriars is all about:

“These guys are the best. Old school as they say, and know their stuff. They have done a beautiful job with lovely lead work done to perfection. I would have no hesitation in recommending Steve and his guys to do your roof. First class!!!” – Polly Hetherington, heritage roof client in Edinburgh (via Google review).
Beyond individual testimonials, Greyfriars Roofing maintains a solid standing in the community. We often get referrals from conservation officers and architects who know our work. Our clients appreciate that we treat their historic properties with respect – we keep sites tidy, ensure scaffolding is set up safely and considerately, and strive to minimise disruption.
Heritage Roofing in Action – Haddington Craftsmanship on Display
Discover the skill and precision behind one of our completed heritage roofing projects in Haddington. This short video highlights the attention to detail that defines our work—from carefully laid Scottish slate to hand-formed lead flashings that follow the original rooflines. At Greyfriars Roofing, we take great pride in restoring Haddington’s historic buildings with accuracy, respect, and traditional expertise.
Serving Haddington’s Heritage Roofing Needs – Contact Us
Headquartered in Edinburgh, the work of Greyfriars Roofing has been carried out in Haddington and around East Lothian. We have provided roof restoration and maintenance to a wide range of heritage properties across the area, from stone cottages in the town centre to estates and Georgian villas in the countryside. Our team is equipped and ready to work on period properties which require an understanding of traditional roofs wherever they are located in East Lothian. We are passionate about conserving the architectural history of Scotland by continuing to carry out heritage roofing work in Haddington.
Trust is crucial when you are choosing who to use for the restoration of your historic Haddington home. We are committed to giving you honest, straightforward advice and providing free, no-obligation estimates. Our expert team can carry out professional assessments of worn leadwork, ageing slate and other roofing problems, using years of specialist experience to do so. Spotting small problems before they get bigger can save more work later on, and sometimes we can even put our customers’ minds at rest when their roof is in better condition than they realise. We support the owners of heritage properties in Haddington who are looking for dependable, long-term solutions to protect their roofs.
Greyfriars Roofing brings award-winning experience together with close attention to detail and a great respect for traditional materials and techniques. We work to ensure that the unique character of every property is conserved, and that Haddington’s historic townscape can be preserved for future generations.
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What Makes Heritage Roofing in Haddington Unique
Roofs play a defining role in Haddington’s historic townscape and much of our work goes beyond repairs and maintenance. Slates on Georgian villas, cottages and Victorian terraces form an important part of the town’s architectural heritage and our restoration services aim to preserve them using the correct skills and treatments. Features such as stone ridge tiles and decorative leadwork provide glimpses into the town’s past and need to be approached with care.
Greyfriars Roofing specialises in sympathetic roof restoration using traditional methods and genuine materials, from natural slate and clay pantiles to milled lead and cast iron rainwater goods. We have experience replicating historic details, sourcing reclaimed components and using tried-and-tested techniques such as lime mortar pointing and hand-cut slate coursing. This allows us to ensure each roof maintains its character while offering long-lasting protection. Some of our work to Haddington’s heritage roofs must also meet listed building and conservation area requirements.
Our team works with East Lothian Council’s planning officers and conservation specialists to ensure we are meeting all necessary conditions right from the start of a project. We also help our clients with the listed building consent process, and provide supporting technical details for planning approval. Wherever possible we repair, rather than replace, to protect historic fabric and avoid unnecessary cost. Specialist skill and knowledge is required for this work. From the correct lead codes for valleys, to accurate timber bargeboard replication, or matching reclaimed Scottish slate, small details can be the difference between success and failure. From minor roof repairs to full re-roofing, all of our Haddington projects use high-quality, long-lasting materials and place a high priority on preservation.
Conservation officers and property owners across the town trust Greyfriars Roofing with their heritage roofing, knowing we will always deliver a high-quality restoration that safeguards Haddington’s architectural legacy.

FAQs
What is heritage roofing and why is it important in Edinburgh?
The process of heritage roofing involves repairing and restoring old-style roofs by using traditional materials and methods. The practice of heritage roofing preserves Edinburgh’s architectural heritage by maintaining the integrity of its historic buildings located within conservation areas.
How do I know if my property in Edinburgh requires heritage roofing?
Roofing on buildings which are listed or situated in conservation areas or UNESCO World Heritage Old or New Towns must comply with designated heritage regulations. Roofs show signs of trouble through slippage of slates along with cracked leadwork and water intrusion into older roofing.
What materials are typically used in heritage roofing in Edinburgh?
Our roofing materials match the original structure using components like natural Scottish or Welsh slate alongside handmade clay ridge tiles, milled lead flashings and cast iron guttering with lime mortar. The selected materials maintain historical accuracy while delivering durable functionality.
Do I need planning permission for heritage roofing in Edinburgh?
Properties within conservation areas or listed properties require Listed Building Consent before you can begin roofing work. Greyfriars Roofing partners with City of Edinburgh Council conservation officers to maintain compliance standards and helps customers navigate the application process.
Can you match the original roof materials and detailing?
Absolutely. Our team focuses on finding reclaimed materials and restoring original features including lead flashings and slate patterns to preserve historic architecture and adhere to conservation standards.
How long does a heritage roof restoration take in Edinburgh?
The timeframe required for work depends on how big the building is and its structural complexity and current state. Minor repairs usually complete in several days whereas complete re-roofing projects generally require multiple weeks. Our consultation process includes providing detailed timelines which help to establish clear expectations.
Why is Greyfriars Roofing trusted for heritage roofing in Edinburgh?
Our team has accumulated more than six decades of direct experience which positions us as experts in traditional roofing. We hold accreditation from major industry organizations such as the NFRC and Lead Contractors Association and have completed work on heritage buildings throughout Edinburgh including both listed townhouses and significant civic structures.
Is heritage roofing more expensive than standard roofing?
Heritage roofing projects require specialist materials and skilled labour which together with regulatory demands increase overall cost. Heritage roofing protects property value while ensuring legal compliance and preserving your structure’s historic appearance.
Free Heritage Quotes & Advice
Free Heritage Roofing Quotes & Advice
