D&D ROOFING

Huddersfield Domestic - Huddersfield Case Study 2024

CASE STUDY

Project Title: Brighouse – Canalside Accommodation

Client: Owner

Location: United Kingdom

Project Overview

We were appointed to carry out comprehensive roofing works on two historic buildings at 4 Huddersfield Road, Brighouse, overlooking the idyllic Leeds & Liverpool Canal. The project encompassed full roof replacement on the larger stone building, extensive slate repair and re-ridgetop refurbishment on the adjoining property, and remedial works to an existing flat roof that had been causing persistent issues.

Located in the heart of Brighouse’s canal quarter, an area steeped in industrial heritage and architectural charm. These buildings form part of a characterful ensemble of converted accommodation and commercial space. Our client’s vision was to preserve the heritage aesthetic while upgrading the roofs to modern durability, performance, and weather-tight standards.

Location & Heritage Context - Brighouse

Brighouse sits proudly on the banks of the Rivers Calder and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, a region historically tied to the textile and engineering boom of the 18th and 19th centuries. The canal side area is particularly atmospheric, with stone-built former warehouses, mills, and workers’ dwellings now sensitively repurposed as apartments, studios, and business premises.

The buildings at 4 Huddersfield Road contribute to this rich vernacular. Their traditional stone façades and original slate roofs embody the local character and historic fabric of the town. Retaining these elements, especially the roof slate and overall aesthetic, was a priority for both the client and the local planning authority.

Scope of Works

Building One - Full Roof Strip & Re-Slate

The larger accommodation block presented a substantial puzzle of form and material authenticity. Its roof consisted of traditional Yorkshire stone slates, a key heritage feature that had weathered and shifted over time.

Our works included:

Complete strip back to the timber structure, carefully removing the existing slates and battens while assessing the substructure for any necessary repairs.
Installation of a new breathable underlay membrane, improving ventilation and moisture management without compromising the roof’s ability to “breathe” as traditional buildings require.
Reinstatement of tile battens, including replacement where needed, to support the slate course spacing and ensure secure fixings.
Re-use (reclaim) of nearly all original Yorkshire stone slates, a major conservation success that helped retain the roof’s authentic appearance and kept the heritage value intact.
High-quality workmanship to keep the historic lines crisp and true to the original.

Preserving and reusing the original slates not only satisfied design and planning expectations but also reduced waste and material cost while honoring the building’s character.

Building Two - Maintenance, Repair & Dry Ridge Upgrade

The adjacent structure required a different scope of intervention, more about repair and renewal than full replacement. Works included:

Slate maintenance and repair, repositioning slipped tiles and replacing damaged slates to restore the weatherproof envelope.
Removal of existing hip and ridge tiles, which had deteriorated or lacked adequate mechanical fixings.
Installation of a modern dry ridge system, providing enhanced ventilation, improved moisture control, and a robust, long-lasting cap to the roof’s crest lines.

This approach allowed the building to retain its original slate where sound and appropriate, while achieving greater longevity and performance at the roof’s most vulnerable junctions.

Flat Roof Remedial Works

An existing flat roof, located between the two pitched roofs and over internal accommodation had been causing ongoing problems due to poor drainage, membrane failure, and lack of insulation.

Our remedial solution included:

Full strip back of the failed roof system down to the substrate.
Installation of a self-adhesive vapour control layer (VCL) – providing a reliable barrier against interstitial condensation and moisture ingress.
120 mm PIR insulation board – significantly improving thermal performance and meeting current regulatory standards.
Mechanically fixed Protan SE 1.6 mm membrane – a high-performance waterproofing layer chosen for durability, flexibility, and proven track record on challenging flat roof geometries.

The final result is a flat roof system that not only performs (no leaks!) but aligns with the performance expectations of the adjoining heritage buildings.

Challenges & Solutions

Heritage Sensitivity: Retaining original slates required expert handling and sorting of dozens of individual pieces – a labor-intensive but visually rewarding process.
Weather Constraints: Working on exposed canal-side elevations meant planning around wind and rain, especially during the slate replacement phases.
Complex Roof Geometry: Transitioning between pitched heritage roofs and a modern flat roof necessitated precise detailing to avoid ponding, leaks, or thermal bridging.

Through thoughtful sequencing, clear communication with the client, and careful site management, all works were delivered on time and on budget.

Outcome & Client Satisfaction

The completed project now showcases:

A beautifully renewed, heritage-respectful Yorkshire stone slate roof
Solidified slate repair and upgraded dry ridge system on the second building
A fully waterproof, thermally upgraded flat roof membrane
Enhanced structural performance without compromising the historic aesthetic

Residents and stakeholders now benefit from robust weather protection, improved energy efficiency, and the preservation of architectural character, exactly the result both the building and the local conservation sensibility deserved.

Conclusion

This project highlights our commitment to:

Conservation-minded roofing solutions
High-quality workmanship across diverse systems
Problem-solving on both pitched and flat roof interfaces
Delivering performance without sacrificing heritage

If you have a heritage structure requiring sensitive roof works or a complex, multi-phase project like this, we’d love to discuss how we can help bring it to life.

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