Project Details

GNR have been contracted to undertake the replacement of a section of the roof area on the magnificent, Grade I Listed, Kiplin Hall. 

Steeped in history, Kiplin Hall is a unique Jacobean house which boasts a fine array of furniture and artwork collected by the occupants over 400 years.

Constructed by George Calvert in the early 1620’s the house has provided a home to 4 different families.

Further, over the centuries, the Hall has undergone a number of changes which make it the fascinating property that it is today.

The roof coverings are a mixture of Westmorland slates concealed behind decorative stone parapet walls.

The 4 large towers provide grandeur to each elevation of the main house.

To the North, built in a similar style despite being a later addition, is a library wing. Again, the roof coverings of Westmorland slates are partially obscured behind decorative parapet walls.

The disposal of rainwater from the roof coverings is addressed by large lined gutters which discharge via outlets through the walls of the property before entering decorative lead hopper heads before being taken to ground by purpose made lead fall pipes.

During the course of our project we have been asked to address only one of the distinct and separate roof areas and will be undertaking specialist detailing to reform the gutter linings and outlet details.

Further, the slated roof coverings will be removed to facilitate this work and replaced using both the original and matching slates.

Despite our work being isolated to one small proportion of the property, we are pleased to be involved in helping to restore this superb building for the future.

During the course of our work, we will continue to update this project post with work in progress and completion images.

A few of the images below date from an era when other work was undertaken in the same location. These days, we still uphold the same practices in terms of traditional slating and proper leadwork. However, the smoking of a pipe whilst working on the roof is somewhat prohibited these days…

As the work progressed further items were identified. 

The stone parapet walls and decorative coping details needed to be stabilised, re pointed and re set using lime mortar. 

Further, there was an extensive amount of defective timber to rectify as part of our work inclusive of some structural bracing and repairs. 

At GNR, we pride ourselves on our ability to offer a comprehensive range of services to provide in house repairs to such heritage roofing projects. 

The project at Kiplin Hall was no exception. Although isolated to one area, we vary much hope to continue our work to this historic property on the other roof ranges. 

Skills Required

• Traditional roof slating in diminishing courses.
• Timber work to facilitate replacement of the lead gutter linings.
• Specialist lead work
• Masonry work to parapet walls.

Materials Used

• Reclaimed Westmorland Slates
• Proctor Roofshield membrane.
• Treated softwood battens.
• Code 5 lead and 6 lead.
• Lime mortar.