New Look For Dartford Cottage

In order to restore character to the structure, a cottage in Dartford, Kent has undergone a roofing makeover, with 4,000 of SSQ’s standard grade Domiz roofing slate tiles replacing the old roof.

The previous bevel shaped roof slates on the cottage were over shaped and had lost adequate headlap, which led to the roof leaking. The owners, who purchased the property in 2014, wanted to restore the character to the 170-year-old building and felt that one of the most effective ways of achieving this was to replace the old slates on the roof. The owners also wanted a cost effective solution that wouldn’t compromise on quality, as such, SSQ’s standard grade Domiz slates were selected.

Paschal Fennelly of Roberts Roofing said: “Replacing the roof wasn’t just a standard slating job – it was important to the new owners that the character be restored back into the structure following the demise of the old roof slates. SSQ’s standard grade Domiz slate worked perfectly as a match for the original slates.”

“The slates were cut to a specific design, with some being hexagonal and the others being square. Nailing the different shaped slates alongside each other allows for an interesting and detailed design. Importantly for the owners, SSQ’s Domiz slate also came in on budget too which goes to show that aesthetic beauty can be achieved on a budget of any size.”

SSQ Domiz with its natural rich, blue-grey colour will not fade even in the strongest sunlight or harshest environments, regardless of the grade selected. Tested in accordance with EN 12326 and carrying the CE marking, Domiz slate is covered by a 50-year guarantee making it ideal, as it is likely to outlast the structure it rests upon.

The cost of the standard grade is less than the 1^st grade Domiz slate, and even though extra labour is required in comparison to 1^st grade when it comes to laying the slate, the savings made on materials make it a worthwhile investment. Plus, despite the additional grading and sorting, the end appearance will be just as consistent and as beautiful as a 1^st grade slate roof.

Forrest Place, Surrey, Domiz Blue-Grey

Location: Shere, Surrey
Slate Used: SSQ Domiz Blue-grey roofing slate

Forrest Place is located close to the centre of the village of Shere and falls within the Shere Conservation Area, the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and an area classified as being of Great Landscape Value.

Although the development replaces old commercial premises, its location in such an aesthetically sensitive area meant the design, material and workmanship had to be, to quote contractor JG Brooks, “Absolutely top-notch”. And they are.

A number of shallow roof-pitches, along with the need for a natural material that would complement the local ‘Shere Green’ colour, prompted the architects to choose slate as the preferred option with SSQ Domiz Blue-grey roofing slate being specified. Construction and detailing throughout the development is exemplary (the complex roof intersections provided a notable challenge) leaving everyone – planners, residents and villagers – happy.

Domiz Is The Choice For Gloucestershire New Builds

Around 18,000 of SSQ Slate’s 500cm x 250cm Domiz slates have recently been installed as part of a new, exclusive housing project in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire.

Comprising one six-bedroom and four five-bedroom newly built stone houses, the project required an affordable roofing slate that would fit in aesthetically with the design of the new homes.

Tom Wiseman, specifier and main contractor for Cedar House Construction, said: “The houses were built using a combination of stone and brick, so we needed to find a roofing material that would complement the appearance of the smooth Ashlar facing stone to the front and the rustic brick to the rear.

“SSQ’s Domiz slates proved to be a perfect fit, ticking all the boxes on an aesthetics front and in terms of cost and availability. Since the look of the completed project was so important, the slates themselves were then nailed into place to help achieve a sleek finish.

“Both us at Cedar House Construction and the new home owners themselves are very happy with the way the finished project looks – the bold texture and blue-grey overtones provide a beautiful finish, complementing the appearance of the exterior façade incredibly well.”

Head of Marketing at SSQ, Haroun El-Helw, said: “We take great pride in our Domiz slate. It offers the appearance and long-term performance of a Welsh blue-grey slate, at a fraction of the price.”

Tested in accordance with EN 12326 and carrying CE marking, SSQ’s Domiz slate is strikingly similar in appearence to Welsh slate. Covered by a 50-year guarantee, Domiz slate’s natural rich, blue-grey colour will not fade – even in the strongest sunlight or harshest environments – regardless of the grade selected. This means the striking appearance of the roof is guaranteed to look good for decades.

Moulsford Preparatory School Sports Hall, Domiz Slate

Location: Moulsford-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
Slate used: SSQ Domiz Blue-grey roofing slate

Moulsford Preparatory School stands proudly above the River Thames midway between Wallingford and Pangbourne. The design of its new sports hall is a radical contrast to the school’s traditional red-brick and clay-tile main building and makes a striking addition to the banks of the river.

“The conservation officer influenced the building’s design and suggested that a boathouse-style building would be appropriate for the location.” explained architect Mark Webber. “Its style, and the materials used, would provide a contrast to the main building but without dominating it. The design featured a multi-level roof with a shallow, 25° pitch, limiting the choice of roofing slate to those strong enough to withstand wind-lift, the inevitable noise associated with it and, of course, possible failure.”

“We specified SSQ First Domiz Blue-grey roofing slate for both technical and aesthetic reasons – its strength and quality gave the performance needed and its cold, hard, colour provides a dramatic foil to the rich warmth of the western red cedar walls.”