There are good reasons lead has been popular in roofing - it's durable, easy to form around complex detailing and has an even, clean finish that looks great. However, lead extraction is environmentally hazardous and, over time, lead roofing components can leach toxic metal into groundwater and soil. With rising scrap metal prices, it's also a huge theft risk. In all our many years of working with various roofing systems, the polymer system is hands-down the best alternative to lead we've found (it's known as "Liquid Lead" in the industry). It mimics the traditional lead aesthetic almost exactly, expands & contracts to withstand movement and is 'perfect forming' around details such as chimney stacks, outlets and skylights. Used for flashings and fixings, on small porches, large church roofs and everything in between, it's theftproof, weatherproof, fireproof, durable, seamless and jointless. All for a fraction of the cost of lead.
Lead Roof Alternative
This historic church in the Powys town of Landrindod Wells had had a significant amount of lead work stolen, including lead elevations and trim from all over the roof.
The owners' search for a theft proof alternative to lead, which would save both expense and inconvenience led them to look at the polymer roofing system, which accurately mimics the traditional look of lead but is valueless to metal thieves. They were also keen to…
The owners of this porch roof in rural Stoke Golding in Leicestershire needed a warm roof but also wanted the traditional lead look for their property.
Warm roofs must comply to U-value standards on insulation set by the government (more about warm roofs) and are essential for any roof areas that adjoin residential properties, including porches, extensions and join-on garages.
The porch was roofed, including standing seams,…
This dormer roof in Upton, Northampton NN5 presented some interesting problems.
The new build lead work had been installed with the aim of directing rainwater back from the dormer roof to drain off the sides, a method that relieves the need for a high level front gutter. However, that design seemed to be have been changed halfway through the installation - so that somehow the rear gutter was installed flat without the stepped rear…
We were contacted by Ark Housing Association in Aberdeen, a charitable company specialising in providing for the housing needs of people with Autistic spectrum disorders and learning difficulties.
Sadly, despite all their good work, they told us they had an ongoing problem with lead roof theft at one of their Supported Sites in Balganask in the Aberdeen burgh.
In total, three of the seven areas of lead roofing had had lead work…
This veterinary centre in Langport, Somerset shows clearly the effect of stolen lead roofing (as well as how easily people can find themselves the victims of lead roof theft). As you can see, the lead covering the porch roof was within arm's reach and was stolen in late 2010. The striping you can see on the porch canopy is all that was left - a few rows of wooden boards.
The Langport practice, which serves many rural towns and villages…
For their new build roof, the owners of this Oxford building chose a modern, safe, easily applied alternative to lead roofing, which also fits in beautifully with the surrounding Oxfordshire countryside.
The reputation of the liquid polymer roofing system as being 'like liquid lead' is well deserved - but it also offers many advantages over traditional lead-work:
faster to install cheaper to install easier to maintain (as…