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Clarke Roofing carried out a complete re-roof of Old Greyfriars, a period property in Storrington, West Sussex. The project included new clay tiling to the main roof, a Bauder warm roof system to two flat roof sections, Code 4, 5 and 6 leadwork throughout, and new fascias, gutters, and a lightning conductor system.
Old Greyfriars is a stone-built period property on a historic lane in Storrington, West Sussex. Dating from the late 19th century, the house forms the central wing of a larger country manor and retains Sussex flint walls, leaded windows with oak mullions, and high ceilings.
The homeowner contacted Clarke Roofing in May 2025 about ongoing problems with the roof. A survey found the existing covering had deteriorated to the point of needing full replacement. To keep the property's character intact, we presented several clay tile options and recommended new, handmade clay tiles that matched the original style. The homeowner chose the Traditional Developer Tile, made by Traditional Clay Tiles Ltd.
The roof needed replacing without losing the character that defines a period property like this. That meant sourcing a tile that matched the original look, upgrading insulation and ventilation to current standards without altering the roofline, and coordinating leadwork across several junctions between the pitched and flat roof sections. Two flat roof areas also needed a full strip-back, and once uncovered, the timber deck beneath them turned out to be in very poor condition, adding structural repairs to the scope.
Access scaffolding went up first, in line with current health and safety regulations. With the scaffold in place, the main roof was stripped back to the timber framework, removing the old tiles, featheredge boarding, and historical horsehair underlay.
An over-fascia vent, eave vent roll, and 5U eave sheet were fitted at the eaves to improve airflow and reduce condensation. The rafters were covered with Proctor Air breathable underlay, then 25 x 38mm treated timber battens fixed with galvanised nails. Rockwool insulation batts were fitted between the rafters within specified sections of the sloping skeilings to meet Building Control requirements. The roof was then reinstated using the Traditional Developer Tiles, fixed with two alloy nails at every fifth course and along all perimeters for wind resistance. Verges were bedded on a traditional tile undercloak over coloured mortar. The bonnet tiles were also bedded in coloured mortar, each with an additional slab nail fixing, and the ridge tiles were set in matching mortar with mechanical fixings at every joint.
The two flat roof sections were cleared back to the timber deck, which was found to be in very poor condition and needed repair before work could continue. A Bauder three-layer warm roof system was installed to the manufacturer's specification, with 140mm of high-efficiency insulation to improve thermal performance. Two chutes were fitted to connect into the existing drainage, along with new perimeter edge details and custom lead flashings for a watertight finish. Two new Velux non-habitable, cold-room rooflights were fitted into the existing openings above the internal glazed light panels to keep natural light in the rooms below.
New Code 6 lead was shaped and laid into the valley gutters over the existing decking and falls. The chimney and wall junctions were detailed with Code 4 lead soakers and flashings, backed by Code 5 lead back gutters. One historic detail involved the property's existing lead downpipe, where the lower section was rerouted around an established wisteria.
The degraded timber fascias were replaced with new softwood fascias, primed and finished with an undercoat and two coats of high-gloss topcoat. The old guttering was replaced with high-durability Alumasc 100mm aluminium moulded gutters and matching fittings, feeding into new 65mm round aluminium downpipes connected to the existing surface water drainage. A new lightning conductor system was fitted along the ridge, using a copper rod earthed into the ground, and the completed system was tested and certified by a specialist engineer.
Old Greyfriars now has a re-roofed pitched section in matching clay tiles, two upgraded flat roof areas on a Bauder warm roof system, and leadwork carried through to Code 4, 5, and 6 standard at every junction. The combination preserved the property's period character while delivering modern thermal efficiency, compliance with current building regulations, and long-term structural protection.
Clarke Roofing Southern Ltd is a third-generation, family-run roofing, construction, and heritage restoration company based in Eastbourne, East Sussex. With over 75 years of experience, we work across the South East for a wide range of clients including homeowners, schools, local authorities, architects, and The National Trust.
Clarke Roofing are accredited by the NFRC, and Constructionline Gold, CHAS, TrustMark, the Liquid Roofing and Waterproofing Association (LRWA), and the Lead Contractors Association, among others. We are also approved contractors for Langley, Sika, Bauder, BMI, IKO, and Garland. All new projects and re-roofs carry a minimum 10-year guarantee.
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