Tile Reroof in Kendal

The Problem

This sprawling single-storey bungalow in Kendal had its original 1960s concrete interlocking tiles — a common roofing material of that era that has a typical lifespan of 50-60 years. After six decades, the tiles had lost their surface coating and become increasingly porous, absorbing moisture that then caused frost damage during cold winters. Many tiles had cracked or spalled, shedding fragments of concrete into the gutters. The nibs on several tiles had snapped, leaving them unsecured and vulnerable to wind uplift. The bituminous felt underlay beneath was the original 1F type — a non-breathable product that had become brittle and torn across most of the roof area, allowing dust, insects, and occasional wind-driven rain to enter the loft. The loft space itself had no ventilation whatsoever, and the combination of non-breathable felt and no ventilation had caused chronic condensation that had saturated the mineral wool insulation, reducing its thermal performance to almost zero. Black mould was growing extensively across the underside of the roof boarding in the loft.

Our Solution

We stripped the entire roof — approximately 140 square metres of tile covering — down to the rafters. All old tiles, battens, and felt were removed and disposed of responsibly. The rafters and purlins were inspected thoroughly; aside from surface mould which was treated with a fungicidal wash, the structural timbers were sound. We installed Cromar Vent3 breathable roofing membrane directly over the rafters, followed by new 25x50mm pressure-treated counter-battens to create a ventilation gap between the membrane and the tile battens above. New tiling battens were then fixed at the correct 343mm gauge for the Marley Modern tiles. The new tiles were laid across the entire roof with all perimeter tiles mechanically fixed with aluminium alloy clips, and every tile on the exposed elevations was additionally nail-fixed for wind resistance. New dry fix ridge and hip systems were installed, eliminating the need for mortar bedding that typically fails within 15-20 years. Continuous ridge ventilation was incorporated into the dry ridge system, providing the loft ventilation that the property had always lacked.

The Result

The bungalow now has a smart, uniform tile roof that will provide 60+ years of weatherproof performance. The combination of breathable membrane, counter-battens, and ridge ventilation has completely eliminated the condensation problem — the loft space is now dry and well-ventilated. New mineral wool insulation was installed to current Building Regulation standards, dramatically improving the property's thermal efficiency. The homeowner reported a noticeable reduction in heating bills through the first winter after completion. We provided a 20-year workmanship guarantee alongside the Marley tiles' 15-year manufacturer's warranty on this roof replacement.

Marley Modern Interlocking Tiles

The Marley Modern is one of the UK's most popular concrete interlocking roof tiles, and for good reason. Its clean profile provides a smart, contemporary appearance on bungalows and modern properties, while the interlocking design creates a highly weather-resistant covering with excellent wind uplift resistance. The tiles are manufactured with a through-coloured body and a durable acrylic coating that resists moss growth and maintains its appearance for decades. Each tile covers approximately 0.5 square metres, making installation fast and cost-effective on large roof areas like this Kendal bungalow.

Cromar Vent3 Breathable Membrane

This three-layer polypropylene membrane provides a vapour-permeable secondary roof barrier that allows moisture vapour to escape from the roof space while preventing rain and wind penetration from above. The Vent3 specification exceeds Building Regulation requirements for breathable underlays and eliminates the need for separate eaves ventilation strips when used with counter-battens and ridge ventilation.

Dry Fix Ridge and Hip Systems

Modern dry fix systems use mechanical clips and flexible seals to secure ridge and hip tiles without mortar. This eliminates the ongoing maintenance of mortar bedding, which typically cracks and fails within 15-20 years in Cumbria's climate. The ridge roll also incorporates ventilation openings that provide continuous airflow through the roof space.

Mineral Wool Loft Insulation

We installed 270mm of mineral wool insulation between and over the ceiling joists, achieving a U-value well within current Building Regulation requirements. The breathable membrane above and correct ventilation path ensure that any moisture vapour passing through the insulation can escape without causing condensation.