Crafting Timeless Slate Roofs

Authentic French Lauze roofing installed and restored by master artisans.

Bath high street view with heritage rooftops

Our Heritage

Founded in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bath, Heritage Slate Artisans Ltd merges centuries-old French Lauze techniques with British building regulations. Our artisans learned their craft in the hills of Aveyron and brought this rare skill set to the United Kingdom to safeguard historic roofs from Cornwall to Northumberland.

We believe every stone tells a story. By honouring traditional dry-stone laying and sourcing slate directly from certified quarries, we deliver roofs that breathe, flex and age gracefully—just as they did hundreds of years ago.

Whether you own a listed Georgian townhouse or a modern eco-home, our mission is simple: to provide a roof that will outlast generations while preserving the architectural essence of your property.

Services

Lauze slate installation close-up
French Lauze Slate Installation

Hand-selected stones laid using traditional dry-stone methods for unparalleled durability and a finish that blends seamlessly with natural surroundings.

Restoration of heritage roof
Heritage Roof Restoration & Repair

Sensitive restoration adhering to listed-building guidelines while discreetly strengthening the underlying structure for decades of weather resistance.

Design consultation with architect
Custom Design & Consultation

Collaborative workshops with architects and conservation officers to craft bespoke slate patterns, ornate ridges and breathable roof beds.

Palette of natural slate colours
Supply of Authentic Slate

Direct quarry relationships guarantee provenance, consistent colour palette and ethical extraction practices certified by the French Geological Survey.

Our Craftsmanship Process

Selecting slate at French quarry
1. Quarry Selection

Our master slaters travel to Aveyron & Lozère to inspect geological veins, ensuring each stone aligns in colour tone, mica content and tensile strength.

Hand-splitting slates
2. Hand-Splitting & Sorting

Each slate is split along its natural grain, then sorted to 3 mm tolerance bands to achieve perfect coursing across the roof face.

Traditional laying of slate
3. Traditional Dry-Stone Laying

Breathable lime mortar is applied, then slates are placed without metal fixings, allowing natural expansion and ventilation that prevents condensation.

Finishing touches on ridge stone
4. Finishing & Weathering

Custom ridge stones and heritage-grade leadwork are installed. The roof is then gently weather-washed to encourage a consistent, historic patina.

Recent Restorations

Sustainability Commitment

  • Natural slate roofs last over 150 years, reducing replacement waste.
  • 70 % of stones from dismantled roofs are reclaimed in-house.
  • Locally produced lime mortars cut transport emissions by 40 %.
  • Site waste is crushed and donated to heritage training colleges.
  • Carbon-neutral quarry-to-site logistics since 2022.
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Tonnes Reclaimed

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Avg Roof Lifespan (Yrs)

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CO₂ Saved (kg)

Client Testimonials

Meet the Artisans

Jean-Luc Fontaine working on a slate roof
Jean-Luc Fontaine

Master Slater & Co-Founder

Fourth-generation French slater with 35 years of Lauze expertise.

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Sarah Thompson reviewing blueprints
Sarah Thompson

Conservation Surveyor

RICS-accredited surveyor specialising in listed roof structures.

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Oliver Reed on construction site
Oliver Reed

Site Operations Lead

Coordinates logistics and health-and-safety across multi-property projects.

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Preserve Your Roof’s Heritage Today

Book a Site Visit

Request a Consultation

Contact Details

Phone: +44 1225 789456

Email: info@heritageslateartisans.co.uk

Address:
24 High Street, 2nd Floor
Bath, Somerset, BA1 5LH