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Scantle & Heritage Roofing in Penzance & Across Cornwall
If you've a traditional Cornish property (a granite cottage, a period terrace, a listed building) there's a good chance the roof was originally laid in scantle slate, and putting it back properly is a craft. West Cornwall Roofing & Leadwork carries out scantle and heritage roofing across Penzance and Cornwall, finished sympathetically to suit the building, with all the lead detailing done by a specialist and backed by a 10-year workmanship guarantee.
NVQ-qualified in roofing & leadwork10-year workmanship guaranteeFully insured (incl. hot works)
Traditional Cornish Roofing, Done Properly
Scantle roofing is the traditional Cornish method of slating in diminishing courses (larger slates at the eaves graduating to smaller ones at the ridge) using small, often reclaimed or Delabole slate. It's the authentic roof of West Cornwall's granite cottages and period buildings, and laying it well takes a roofer who genuinely understands the method. True scantle is increasingly rare: many roofs that once wore it have been recovered in standard slate over the years, so the craft is one to seek out.
That heritage knowledge is part of what we offer. Steve gives you an expert, straightforward view of what your property actually calls for: a genuine scantle finish where the building and any consent require it, or a sympathetic matched-slate roof where that's the right and sensible choice. Either way, you get the correct roof for a traditional Cornish property, finished by someone who respects how these buildings were built.
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The Heritage Roofing We Carry Out
Heritage roofing covers the methods and materials that suit older Cornish buildings:
Scantle slating in diminishing courses
The traditional graduated finish, laid by hand and set out to suit the property.
Wet-lay & dry-lay scantle
The right method chosen for the building, whether traditionally bedded in lime mortar or nailed.
Reclaimed & Delabole slate
Sourced for an authentic match on heritage and listed roofs, so a recovered roof keeps the character of the original.
Listed building & conservation-area work
Sympathetic recovering and repairs that respect the character of the building and any consent conditions.
Heritage repairs & slate matching
Patching and renewing period roofs without spoiling the look, carefully matched to the existing slate.
Recent Heritage Work
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Read more on GoogleWhy a Proper Heritage Roof Matters
Your building keeps its character.A scantle or matched heritage roof sits right on a period property in a way a modern uniform slate roof never quite does. It looks like it belongs.
It keeps you on the right side of consent.On listed buildings and in conservation areas the roof finish often matters to the planners, so doing it sympathetically protects you down the line.
It lasts generations.Natural slate, well laid, is one of the longest-lived roofs there is. A properly finished heritage roof is a once-in-a-lifetime job.
You get an expert heritage steer.Steve gives you a clear, knowledgeable view on whether genuine scantle is right for your property or whether a sympathetic matched-slate roof is the sensible call, and every roof is backed by our 10-year workmanship guarantee.
How a Scantle Roof Is Laid
01
Free survey
Steve assesses the existing roof, the building and any listed or conservation status, and advises on the right approach.
02
Sourcing the slate
Reclaimed or Delabole slate is sourced to match, then sorted by size ready for laying.
03
Setting out the courses
The diminishing courses are set out, larger slates at the eaves down to smaller at the ridge, for that authentic graduated finish.
04
Laying & leadwork
The slates are laid by the correct method for the building, with all valleys, flashings and chimney lead done by a specialist.
05
Finished, sympathetic and guaranteed
The roof finished sympathetically, the site cleared, and the work backed by our 10-year workmanship guarantee.
Why choose us
Why Choose Us for Heritage Roofing
Heritage roofs depend on the detailing as much as the slate, and that's where Steve's leadwork specialism pays off. He's NVQ-qualified specifically in leadwork as well as roofing, so the valleys, chimney flashings and abutments that protect a period roof are done to the highest standard. All slating follows BS 5534, the British Standard for slating and tiling, which sets out how slates and fixings must be specified to stand up to Cornwall's exposed coastal weather, applied sympathetically on heritage work so the roof is both authentic and sound.
You're also in fully insured hands (public liability, employers' liability and hot-works cover) with over 10 years' experience across heritage and traditional Cornish roofs, and a 10-year workmanship guarantee on the work. Real heritage knowledge, expert leadwork, and an honest steer on what your building genuinely needs.
- Expert training & NVQ qualifications
- NVQ-qualified specifically in leadwork
- Fully insured incl. hot works
- 10-year workmanship guarantee
- Free inspection & clear written quote
Meet the roofer
About the Roofer, Steve Biggs
Heritage and scantle roofing is carried out by Steve Biggs, owner of West Cornwall Roofing & Leadwork. Steve has over 10 years' roofing experience across Penzance and West Cornwall, with a genuine interest in traditional and heritage roofs, and is NVQ-qualified in roofing and leadwork, holds a flat-roofing certificate and a CSCS card, and is certified in working at height and asbestos awareness.
“A scantle roof is a proper craft: diminishing courses, the right slate, the lead done well. On a heritage property, getting the decision right matters as much as the work. I'll give you a straight, expert steer on whether your building wants true scantle or a sympathetic matched-slate roof. That's the heritage knowledge these old Cornish roofs deserve.”Steve Biggs, owner and leadwork specialist
Heritage Roofing Across West Cornwall
We carry out scantle and heritage roofing throughout West Cornwall, across the period and listed properties this work belongs to:
How Our Heritage Roofing Quotes Work
Heritage and scantle work is specialist, and it's only fair to be upfront: it's more labour-intensive than a standard slate roof and the slate is harder to source, so it typically costs more, but it's the correct, long-lasting finish for a traditional Cornish property. What shapes a heritage roofing quote is the method (scantle versus matched new slate), the slate sourced (reclaimed, Delabole or new), the size and complexity of the roof, the lead detailing involved, and any listed or conservation requirements.
What you can always count on: a free survey, an honest, expert steer on whether genuine scantle is right for your building, and a clear written quote with the method and materials set out, so you know exactly what's being done, why, and what it costs before any work starts.
Frequently asked questions
What is scantle roofing?+
Scantle roofing is the traditional Cornish method of slating in diminishing courses, larger slates at the eaves graduating to smaller ones at the ridge, using small, often reclaimed or Delabole slate. It's the authentic roof of West Cornwall's period and granite buildings.
What's the difference between wet-lay and dry-lay scantle?+
Wet-lay scantle beds the slates in a lime-and-sand mortar, the traditional, specialist method. Dry-lay nails them in place without bedding. Steve advises the right method for your property and any consent conditions, rather than applying one approach to every roof.
Can you work on listed buildings and in conservation areas?+
Yes, heritage and listed work is a core part of what we do, finished sympathetically to respect the building and any consent conditions. Steve works to exactly what the property and the planners call for.
Do you use reclaimed or Delabole slate?+
Yes, where it's appropriate for an authentic heritage match. Reclaimed and Delabole slate are sourced to suit the building, so a repaired or recovered roof keeps the character of the original.
Is scantle more expensive than a standard slate roof?+
Usually, yes: it's more labour-intensive and the slate is harder to source, so it typically costs more than a standard slate roof. But it's the correct, long-lasting finish for a traditional Cornish property, and Steve will give you an honest view on whether it's the right call for your building before you spend.
Related Services
01Slate & Tile Roofing
Matched new-slate roofs where genuine scantle isn't the right call.
Natural SlateRe-Slating
02Leadwork
The valleys, flashings and chimney lead that protect a heritage roof, by an NVQ-qualified specialist.
Lead FlashingValleys & Chimneys
03Roof Repairs
Sympathetic repairs and slate matching on period roofs.
Leak RepairsStorm Damage
Get Your Heritage Roof Quoted
For a roof that's right for your period or listed property, get an honest, expert survey and a clear written quote from a roofer who knows traditional Cornish work, finished sympathetically and backed by our 10-year workmanship guarantee.
Call Steve on 07769 322677·Get a free quote online
West Cornwall Roofing & Leadwork
Penzance, West Cornwall, TR18 3PU
Phone: 07769 322677
Email: steve.westcornwallroofing@gmail.com
Hours: Mon to Fri 7:30am to 4:30pm, Sat 7:30am to 1pm
Last updated: 11 June 2026