Natural Welsh slate has covered Exeter’s Victorian housing stock for 130–150 years. When maintained properly, it outlasts every modern alternative. We supply and install new Welsh slate, source matching reclaimed slate for repairs, and carry out like-for-like replacements on period properties including those in conservation areas.
Slate roofing in Exeter covers Welsh slate repair, re-nailing and full re-slating, from 300 pounds for a repair to 13,000 pounds for a re-roof. We match reclaimed slate for conservation properties and use stainless fixings. 10-year guarantee, free survey. Call 01392 759 295.
Welsh slate is the dominant original roofing material on Exeter’s Victorian and Edwardian housing stock. The terraces of St Thomas, the semis of Heavitree, and the townhouses of the Pennsylvania Road corridor were built with it, and many carry slates that are now approaching 120–140 years old. This longevity is the defining characteristic of natural slate — when installed correctly and maintained, it simply keeps going.
When individual slates slip or crack on an Exeter period property, the challenge is finding a match. Original Victorian Welsh slate was typically Penrhyn or Ffestiniog material — blue-grey with a distinctive texture. We source matching new slate from currently active Welsh quarries, as well as reclaimed slate from specialist salvage yards for exact-match repairs where colour uniformity matters.
When nail sickness is established across a Welsh slate roof — the original iron fixings corroding and causing slates to slip — a full re-roof is the correct solution. We strip the existing slate, assess each piece for reuse where quality allows, install new breathable underlay and treated battens, and re-fix in new stainless or copper nails. Original slates in good condition can be reused, reducing material cost.
Properties in Exeter’s Cathedral Quarter and Southernhay conservation areas are typically required to maintain natural slate as an original material. We understand these requirements and work with homeowners to achieve planning compliance without unnecessary cost.
Individual slate, sourced to match, correctly fixed
Multiple slates, matched material
3-bed semi, new Welsh slate, new underlay & battens
Salvage-matched slate for exact colour matching
“Our Victorian terrace in Heavitree needed a full re-roof. They reused about 60% of the original slates that were still sound, and sourced new matching Penrhyn for the rest. You can't tell the difference.”
“Listed cottage near the Cathedral. Two slates had slipped and the matching was essential. They found reclaimed material that is identical to the originals. Exceptional.”
“Welsh slate re-roof on our Edwardian property. Stainless fixings throughout, new breathable membrane. Done in five days and the roof looks as it should — as it did when it was built.”
A full Welsh slate re-roof on a 3-bed semi in Exeter costs £8,000–£14,000 depending on roof size, pitch and accessibility. Individual slate repairs and matching patches start from £150–£400. Natural Welsh slate is more expensive than concrete tile but significantly longer-lasting and planning-compliant for period properties.
Welsh slate is the most commonly specified natural slate in Devon, typically grey-blue in colour and available from quarries including Penrhyn and Ffestiniog. Westmorland green slate is found on some higher-value period properties in Exeter’s Cathedral Quarter. We source both, as well as reclaimed slates for matching repairs on existing roofs.
Yes. Many of Exeter’s Victorian terraces in St Thomas, Heavitree and the Pennsylvania Road corridor carry original Welsh slate. We source new slate from active quarries and reclaimed slate from specialist salvage suppliers to achieve as close a match as possible to the existing roof.
Yes. Natural Welsh slate is an excellent choice for new-build and extension roofs in Exeter, particularly where planning requires sympathetic materials or the property is adjacent to period stock. It is longer-lasting than concrete tile, improves the appearance of properties, and adds long-term value.
Welsh slate is the dominant original material on Exeter's Victorian and Edwardian housing — sourced from quarries in North Wales. Spanish slate is common on post-1970s re-roofs. Natural Welsh slate is superior in longevity and appearance and is what we recommend for like-for-like replacement on Exeter's period stock.
Original Welsh slate roofs on Exeter's Victorian housing can last 100+ years if the nails and battens are maintained. The nails fail before the slate — nail sickness is the most common reason a slate roof requires attention rather than age of the slate itself.
Yes — we have established supply relationships for reclaimed Welsh slate to match the colour and texture of existing roofs. Matching matters both aesthetically and for planning compliance on Exeter's conservation area properties. Call 01392 759 295 for advice.
We’ll assess your roof and advise on repair versus replacement with honest, clear pricing.
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