CONTEXT 185 : SEPTEMBER 2025 39 ROOFING have mostly evolved as weathering devices across centuries of British roofing craftsmanship, but over time they have also acquired a satisfying appearance. Unwin was aware of this dual purpose – arguably more pronounced today, in the face of ever more modern methods of construction. Our Roofing Guidance explains the vision held by the original architects of the suburb in giving roofs such emphasis. It then runs through the above details and more across the document. Ridges, hips, eaves, gables, kneelers and verges are all covered. The guide will give more confidence to residents in asking their contractor about the detail of the work they will undertake. Any resident, or indeed their architect or roofer, should be able to understand the detailing of their roof based on the guide, and see what needs to be retained in subsequent building work. The guide is part of a set of design guidance documents published by the trust, whose charitable aim is to ‘maintain and preserve the present character and amenities’ of the suburb. The trust’s architectural team provides technical advice and oversees an approvals system for building development that is independent to the local authority. This form of planning control is underpinned by a scheme of management, a legal document containing restrictive covenants which apply to all enfranchised freehold properties in the area. Residents require the prior written consent of the trust to carry out repair or renewal work, even if this is ‘like for like’. The guide draws on the experience of the trust’s architectural team, not only through our knowledge of the area, but also our ongoing site work at individual properties, meeting residents and roofers. Unsympathetic materials, for example, where the tiles are flat or too bright, can be an issue, even in the cases of small-scale ‘piecing in’. By meeting the owners on site at short notice, we are often able to agree replacement tiles to the same form and colour within a short space of time, returning the house to its original appearance. Where plastic roof vents are installed, we negotiate their removal and replacement with heritage alternatives that integrate real clay tiles, such as hidden tile vents. Some roofing features can be tricky to detail. Traditional tiled undercloaks are sometimes replaced with thin cement boards (or not replaced at all), which detracts from the character of the verge and will generally have to be remediated using the original treatment. Where sprockets are not faithfully recreated when a roof is overhauled, they can result in a flat or even ‘droopy’ appearance, so understanding this detail is critical. Cut valleys replacing valley tiles, or laced valleys, will generally not be accepted and will have to go back to the original detail. Chimney stacks are a major feature of houses and the overall suburb roofscape, An original perspective of a group of houses by Michael Bunney A street of Victorian terraces in London’s east end of the type against which Raymond Unwin was reacting A section drawing of a Brookland Rise house by JCS Soutar, showing the roof structure A traditional construction detail for a ridge from WB McKay’s Building Construction (1945)
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