Roof Restoration at the Old Smithy, Thorp Arch

CASE STUDY: Roof Restoration of the Old Smithy

Location: Thorp Arch Estate, Boston Spa, Wetherby

The Smithy dates back to early C19 and is located on The Green in the centre of Thorp Arch, Wetherby. This building is Grade II listed for its special architectural and historic interest but in dire need of roof restoration.

Thorp Arch is known for its unique blend of high quality countryside and attractive historic village. The local Parish works hard to maintain the conservation area of the old village and sympathetically maintain the areas outside to retain the character of the Parish.

Before Roof Restoration

The Old Smithy is a single story property currently being used as a plumber’s store. It dates back to the early C19. and sited on the Thorp Arch estate.

Despite the property being Grade II listed, the roof the property was in a terrible state of disrepair, as can be seem in the above photographs, and in dire need of roof restoration.

Roof Restoration of the Old Smithy

The roof restoration works comprised of:

• Carefully taking down the existing chimney stack in individual pieces and numbering these so they went back in the same positions.
• Removing the existing slates and storing these at ground level in order of sequence.
• Removal and disposal of the existing rooflight.
• Removal of the existing timber rafters and the existing defective timber purlins. These were uses as templates in order to replicate a like for like timber structure.
• Reuse of any timber purlins which were still structurally sound.
• Levelling off the internal wall with a course of reclaimed brick and then install new timber wall plate.
• Fixing new restraint straps internally down the internal face of the wall.
• Reconstruction of the timber structure and new purlin as required, new rafters, new wallplate and new ridge plate.
• Installation of new timber fascia boards
• Installation of new cast aluminium guttering and new cast aluminium fall pipe.
• laying new breathable felt and battens  across the roof structure.
• Rebuilding the chimney stack with the existing stone.
• Relaying the existing slates and source any reclaimed slate necessary.
• Installation of new Velux conservation window
• Installation of new lead flashings and new lead soakers around the chimney stack.
• Re-bedding the ridge tiles and the verge ends with lime mortar.

P A Hinckley

June 16, 2023.

Listened to our concerns and worked hard to accommodate them, was able to source other trades for required preliminary (non-roofing) works (which I had been unable to do). The personnel on site gave excellent customer care - informing us of progress & issues, were very thoughtful, respected the building type and style, took a lot of care and worked very hard and very well together. We were lucky with the weather & everything happened according to the original timetabled plan.

Michael Richardson

May 5, 2023.

Would recommend. All diagnostics and work were done as scheduled and with all due consideration. The team were knowledgeable and highly professional. Finishes and clearing up all to a high standard.

Alison DumphySmith

April 16, 2023.

Work done included re-roofing with existing solar panels. Extremely happy with this company and would highly recommend. Very responsive to all my questions before the works and they are very knowledgeable about their profession. I was very pleased to find them as it is very difficult to find roofers with solar experience. All work completed to high standard and the guys on the job were very courteous/polite/tidy/punctual. Excellent communication through out and overall a very positive experience. Thank you to all the team for their hard work and professionalism.

Brian & Antonia Berwick

April 13, 2023.

We are very happy that we chose this company after some research. All the work was carried out to a very high standard and any questions we had were answered. Thoroughly recommend.

Nicole Senior

April 10, 2023.

I would highly recommend this company very proffessional throughout. I was updated throughout the whole process from start to finish just brilliant!

Mike Morris

April 4, 2023.

Team manged to fit in a renovation for a sandstone roof. The guys worked hard through challenging weather conditions and kept the place waterproof throughout. Firendly, cordial team tha tkept us updated throughout. Second job in a short time, and would use them again if I had another roof!

Becky Ward

March 22, 2023.

Green and Heritage did the prep work necessary for installing solar panels on our roof. Great to deal with. Very good communication and very professional. Liaison with the electrical company fitting the panels was spot on and even cleaned the windows on completion. Recommended.

Keith Jowett

March 1, 2023.

We cannot praise Green and Heritage enough they and their staff are top notch ultra reliable and highly skilled in what they do.Just had an Equinox roof fitted on our conservatory and remedial work done on the kitchen extension roof.The lads who did the work Kieran and Dylan were always on time conscious and tidy So thanks to Chris and all at Green and Heritage a Job well done CHEERS Keith & Linda Jowett

Stephen Hart

December 4, 2022.

Chris and his team were extremely professional at all times during the complete renovation of our roof and rainwater system. I would highly recommend this Company.

Carly M

November 11, 2022.

Excellent company. Well managed. The team are very polite and extremely hard working. They even sent a window cleaner around afterward to clean the windows after the roof was done who also wiped the doors and ledges. Highly recommend!

Google rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 30 reviews

If you have a heritage property and would like to discuss roof restoration works please contact us today. It is possible to bring old, dilapidated buildings back to life with he skill of a good heritage roofer!