Pitched Roof Construction in Loughborough — Built Right From the First Rafter

What Is a Pitched Roof?

A pitched roof is any roof that slopes at an angle instead of sitting flat. That slope — the "pitch" — is what sheds rain and snow, and it’s why pitched roofs are the default across British homes.

Roof pitch is measured in degrees. Most UK pitched roofs sit between 40° and 50°, though the workable range is wider:

• Below 20° — a "low pitch," which needs specific coverings and detailing
• 20°–45° — the standard range for most tiled and slate roofs
• Above 45° — a "steep pitch," common on period and character properties

The right pitch depends on your chosen covering and your property.Get it wrong and water sits where it shouldn’t. We set the correct

angle for your tile or slate at survey stage, so your roof drains the way it should.

How We Build a Pitched Roof, Step by Step

Every pitched roof we build in Loughborough follows the same tested order. That gives you a straight, watertight roof with no shortcuts hidden underneath.

The survey and the structure

We start with the free drone survey. It shows us the wall line, the span, and the pitch you need. From there we set the treated wall plates that tie the roof to your walls.

Next comes the frame. We set the rafters, ridge, and purlins, then add bracing so the whole structure holds firm. This is the part nobody sees once the tiles are on — which is exactly why it has to be right.

Membrane, battens and covering

On top of the frame go the breathable underlay and treated battens. Then the covering finishes the job. We fix your slate or tiles, then dress the ridge, verges, and lead flashings around chimneys and dormers.

This work suits new builds, extensions, garages, and full re-roofs across the town’s mix of Victorian terraces, post-war semis, and period stone homes.

• Gable — two slopes meeting at a ridge; simple, and quick to drain
• Hip — four slopes; stable, and strong on exposed sites
• Mono-pitch and lean-to — a single slope, common on modern extensions
• L- and T-shaped roofs — these need valleys, cut and lined to shed water cleanly
• Mansard — steep lower slopes that create extra living space, popular on loft conversions

Choosing Slate, Clay or Concrete for Your Roof

Your covering sets the look, the weight, and the lifespan of the roof. We walk you through slate, clay, and concrete before any tile lands on your Loughborough roof.

• Natural slate — lasts the longest and suits period and stone homes
• Clay tiles — hold their colour for decades and fit traditional streets
• Concrete tiles — cost less to fit and cover most post-war semis well

Weight matters as much as looks. Heavy slate needs a frame built to carry it, so we check the timbers first. We match the covering to your property — not to whatever loads quickest onto the van. All the materials we fit are BBA-approved, so you’re covered by manufacturer specification from day one.

Adding light and headroom? We fit roof windows, rooflights, and dormers as part of the build. They open up a loft and add real value — a popular upgrade on loft conversion roofing across Charnwood.

Fixing Roofs to Beat Charnwood Winds

Exposed roofs need stronger fixings than sheltered ones. If your home sits high near Beacon Hill Country Park or the edge of Charnwood Forest, we fix for the wind it actually meets.

BS 5534 sets how tiles and slates must be held down. On open, high ground the wind uplift is greater, so the standard fixing schedule isn’t enough. We clip and mechanically fix more of the roof to hold it through a storm.

We work this out at the survey. The drone shows the pitch, the exposure, and the ridge line. From that we set a fixing spec matched to your site — not a one-size-fits-all list. The payoff is fewer slipped tiles, fewer emergency call-outs, and less to worry about when the weather turns.

Heritage and Conservation Roofs, Done to Rule

Period and listed roofs follow stricter rules than standard homes. We match the original materials and methods, so your roof keeps its character and passes review.

Conservation areas and Article 4 directions often dictate what you may use. That can mean like-for-like natural slate rather than a modern swap. We source matching slate and fit it to suit the age of the building.

Mortar choice matters on old roofs too. Hard modern mortar can crack period brick and speed up decay. We use lime-based mortar on ridges and chimneys where the property calls for it. We handle this work regularly across Quorn, Rothley, and Woodhouse Eaves — you get a roof that respects the building and satisfies the planners.

• Woodhouse Eaves — LE12 8
• Mountsorrel — LE12 7
• Sileby — LE12 7
• Rothley — LE7 7
• Syston — LE7 1 / LE7 2
• East Leake — LE12 6

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