Heritage Roofing Livingston
Livingson’s architectural heritage stems from its post-war transition from a rural village to a new town. Around the area are old properties and traditional villages like Livingston Village, Bellsquarry and Howden. All of which have characteristics of traditional Scottish construction techniques. It is important to keep the original roofing intact to maintain the area’s heritage and continuity.
As heritage roofers based in Livingston, we restore and conserve roofs in the West Lothian area. This includes cottages, public buildings and estate houses in surrounding areas like Mid Calder and Kirknewton. Using traditional techniques with reclaimed materials and real roof age products we help to restore roofs with the character and appearance of the original.
Our family business has over 60 years combined hands on experience in roofing. Our specialist knowledge blends the traditional craftmanship of roof work with up to date knowledge of conservation requirements. We regularly source and use reclaimed Scottish slate, hand formed lead work and lime based mortars to replicate the original installation methods. Every job is completed with a thorough attention to detail and an understanding of the buildings heritage.
We work closely with the planning departments and conservation officers of West Lothian to meet listed building requirements and conservation areas regulations. Whether the building is a village in the historic core or within a conservation zone, we can help with all approvals and guides for heritage roof work.
We are pleased to be part of the preservation of Livingson’s heritage with our traditional roof work. Restoring these buildings with care and precision helps the area maintain its past and link with it’s present. Letting the building remain structurally stable and authentic for the future.
Award winning Heritage Roofers
Experienced Heritage Roofers
Comprehensive Heritage Roofing Services
Heritage Roofing Services in Livingston
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
Our Heritage Roofing work
Why Choose Greyfriars Roofing for Your Livingston Heritage Project?
There’s no doubt that many of the properties in Livingston are incredibly important to preserve and restore. Whether it’s a cottage in Livingston Village, a house in Mid Calder, or a property in the surrounding West Lothian area, you need a roofing company that knows how to bring out the character and history of a building. We have that heritage roofing experience at Greyfriars Roofing, with a proven track record of over 60 years, two generations of craft, and industry-accredited skills to back it up.
Experience Built Up Over Decades
Our roofing company was founded on the back of our heritage and historical roof work. We have years of experience in re-roofing with natural slates, period details with leadwork, and historic chimneys. As a family-run firm, we have an understanding of the importance of maintaining a building’s heritage as much as possible. We also ensure that we use reclaimed materials whenever possible to preserve authenticity and to meet period specifications. For example, we have repaired period pointing, and we do leadwork on a traditional dormer, and we do so with traditional methods that have stood the test of time.
Award-Winning Heritage Roofing
We’re not afraid to share our achievements with you, and they show our expertise in historical roof work. In 2019, we won the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) Scottish Roofing Contractor of the Year award for our heritage leadwork. Our recent work has also achieved finalist status in the Murdoch Awards for Roofing in 2023 and 2024. All of these achievements come from our traditional attention to detail, the care we put into every job, and our expertise when it comes to working on heritage roofs throughout Scotland.
Accredited Experts with Strict Standards
As members of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) and the Lead Contractors Association (LCA), we have an audit rating of ‘Excellent.’ We’re also TrustMark registered, which means we meet stringent standards in terms of both quality and business practices. Through our relationship with the CITB and our commitment to the highest standards, we can assure our clients that every job will meet safety and heritage conservation standards.
Renowned Heritage Roofing Experts in Livingston
Our history of heritage roofing throughout Livingston has seen us work on projects and become renowned as a result of our attention to detail, care, and honest advice. Much of our work comes through recommendations and longstanding relationships with customers who are happy to come back time and time again because they know we do a good job. We work with property owners, churches, and conservation trusts on heritage roof work to ensure buildings are cared for and preserved for the future.
As heritage roofing specialists in Livingston, we know that repairing a roof is more than just replacing the roof slates. We replace with care and expertise, knowing that each slate, each tile, and every piece of leadwork must be treated with respect.
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 – Livingston Craftsmanship on Display
Discover the skill and precision behind one of our completed heritage roofing projects in Livingston.
This short video highlights the craftsmanship that defines our approach—from carefully installed reclaimed Scottish slate to hand-worked lead flashings shaped to match the building’s original detailing. At Greyfriars Roofing, we take great pride in restoring Livingston’s historic buildings with accuracy, traditional expertise, and genuine respect for their architectural heritage.
Serving Livingston’s Heritage Roofing Needs – Contact Us
Our family-run business was founded in Edinburgh, but our roofing expertise covers central Scotland, from the ornate properties of mid-century Deans to the listed mansions near Almondvale and Dedridge. We’re the ideal contractor to repair and maintain the roofs of period properties across West Lothian.
When you own a heritage home, you need to trust the people you hire. That’s why clients in Livingston choose Greyfriars Roofing for open, honest advice and free, no-obligation quotes. We’ll assess ageing slates, flaking lead flashings and other period roofing materials. Early intervention can prevent expensive repairs and in some cases we can even give you the reassurance you need that your roof is still doing its job.
Greyfriars Roofing serves Livingston’s period property owners with long-term, sympathetic roofing solutions. We maintain both the integrity of the building and its character. Greyfriars Roofing is respected for its award-winning workmanship, attention to period details and respect for period materials. From leadwork on a small period cottage in Howden to re-slated mansions in Almond near Craigshill, we bring precision and respect to every job. We aim to protect Livingston’s architectural heritage with every roof we restore.
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Our Heritage Roofing work
What Makes Heritage Roofing in Livingston Unique
Maintaining heritage roofs in Livingston isn’t just about applying a surface treatment – there’s an architectural history behind the roof in question. Whether it’s the sandstone farmhouses around Murieston, Victorian public buildings or post-war properties in Deans and Howden, Livingston has an architecture that needs to be treated with respect and a well-understood range of traditional roofing methods and materials.
Greyfriars Roofing is able to restore and maintain heritage roofs in the right way with a range of traditional methods and materials, including Scottish slate, handmade clay tiles, milled lead and original cast iron rainwater goods. Our decades of experience with locating reclaimed components and emulating the original materials with lime mortar pointing, hand cut slate courses and bespoke lead detailing are at your service.
We work regularly on heritage projects and listed buildings in and around Livingston, and will often be asked to provide documentation to help the local planning teams, as well as working with the conservation officers to ensure that the planning application is compliant from the very beginning. We also work with owners and agents to submit the correct paperwork and ensure a smooth process through the listed building consent. We will do everything we can to avoid replacement of old roof coverings and fittings and will always restore the original materials where possible.
Restoring heritage roofs requires accuracy, experience and an understanding of how materials were used. From the correct type of lead for the flat valley gutters to copying the pattern of the slate roofing slates or elaborate timber verge boards, every single project has a great deal of care involved in the job. Whether it’s a small patch repair or a complete replacement of a heritage home, we apply long lasting techniques using appropriate methods. Heritage bodies, local homeowners and conservation professionals all rely on Greyfriars Roofing to ensure heritage roofs in Livingston and West Lothian are properly maintained.
FAQs
What is heritage roofing and why is it important in Livingston?
The definition of heritage roofing is the installation of a new roof or the renovation of an existing roof on a building which is listed or within a conservation area. It means we must use the correct traditional methods and materials to preserve the character of these older properties in the new town, in places like Dechmont, Kirkton and the older villages.
How do I know if my Livingston property needs heritage roofing?
If your property is listed or in a conservation area then you will probably need to follow heritage roofing practices. You will see signs of aging slate, old leadwork or previous un-sympathetic repairs that can be put right with the correct historical materials.
Do I need permission to repair or replace a roof on a listed building in Livingston?
Yes, most works on listed buildings and those within conservation areas require Listed Building Consent from West Lothian Council. We can advise you on the planning process and make sure that we comply fully.
What are the most common traditional roofing materials used in Livingston?
The main ones used are reclaimed Scottish slate, clay pantiles, milled lead, cast iron gutters and lime mortar. These materials are based on the local vernacular and will last for many years in our Scottish climate.
Does heritage roofing increase the lifespan of my property?
Yes, if done properly by the right people with the correct practices then heritage roofing will improve the longevity of the roof and improve weatherproofing for many years to come.
What experience does Greyfriars Roofing have with heritage buildings in Livingston?
Between us we have over 60 years of experience working on traditional and listed buildings in West Lothian. From old farm cottages to historic civic buildings we take care with every job.
How long does a typical heritage roofing project take in Livingston?
Timescale will vary depending on the scale of the job and what condition the existing roof is in. If we are just doing some small repairs it may take just a few days, whereas a listed building full roof restoration may take a couple of weeks if all the correct procedures are followed.
Are heritage roofing services more expensive than normal roofing?
Yes, as heritage roofing takes more skills, materials and planning we tend to spend more money on these jobs. However, it will pay for itself in the long run to do it properly to protect the value of your property and its history.
Free Heritage Quotes & Advice
Free Heritage Roofing Quotes & Advice
