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Case Study

Traditional craftsmanship meets modern roofing performance, with Permavent APEX utilised on a Scottish heritage project.

Hallmark Roofing Edinburgh Ltd completed the full restoration of a traditional natural slate roof on a prominent heritage property in North Berwick. The project required a careful balance between preserving the character and fabric of the historic building and delivering the weather protection, ventilation and long-term performance expected from a modern roofing system. Permavent APEX roofing underlay was specified and installed beneath the natural slate covering. The air and vapour permeable underlay provided a dependable secondary layer of weather protection while supporting the ventilation strategy of the roof and helping to protect the structure over the long term. The result is a carefully restored traditional slate roof that combines the visual integrity of the original building with the performance of a modern roofing system.

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Location

North Berwick, Scotland

The Project

The key challenge was to achieve the right balance between conservation and performance: retaining as much of the original building fabric and historic character as possible, while ensuring the restored roof provided a durable and modern level of protection. 

The existing Scotch slate roof was the original covering and was showing significant signs of nail sickness, resulting in widespread slate movement and an increased risk of water ingress. As was common with roofs of this age, there was no roofing underlay beneath the slates, meaning there was no secondary line of defence against wind-driven rain or snow should the primary covering become compromised. 

The restoration therefore provided an opportunity to address the roof’s underlying performance while retaining its traditional appearance. The installation of Permavent APEX introduced a modern, air and vapour permeable secondary weatherproof barrier, helping to improve the long-term resilience of the roof without compromising its historic character.

The roof was stripped by hand to protect the original Scotch slate and maximise opportunities for reuse. Each slate was individually inspected, sorted and graded, with suitable original slates carefully reinstated. Where slates were damaged beyond reuse or unsuitable for reinstatement, they were replaced with carefully matched reclaimed Scotch slate, ensuring the finished roof remained visually sympathetic to the existing building. 

Localised repairs were also carried out to the original roof timbers, with new timber sarking introduced only where required. This approach preserved as much of the historic roof structure as possible while providing a sound substrate for the renewed roof covering. 

The project required careful handling of reclaimed materials and the seamless integration of new materials with the original fabric. The completed roof also needed to provide robust protection against wind-driven rain and the exposed Scottish weather, while maintaining the appearance and character of the original Scotch slate roof. 

Permavent in Action

The existing roof construction, incorporating traditional timber sarking beneath the slate, meant that moisture management and ventilation were important considerations when selecting the underlay. Permavent APEX was specified as a solution that could be installed directly over the repaired and renewed sarking, complementing the traditional roof construction while providing the performance of a modern roofing underlay. 

Its straightforward installation also supported the practical demands of the restoration. Once the necessary structural repairs had been completed, Permavent APEX was installed over the sarking before the roof was re-slated, creating a consistent protective layer beneath the traditional roof covering. 

This approach allowed Hallmark Roofing Edinburgh Ltd to combine established conservation techniques with modern roofing technology. The original Scotch slate was retained wherever possible, the existing roof structure was repaired rather than unnecessarily replaced, and traditional leadwork was incorporated alongside Permavent APEX to create a cohesive roofing system. 

By specifying Permavent APEX, Hallmark Roofing Edinburgh Ltd was able to deliver a roofing system that respected the property’s original materials, construction and historic character, while providing the modern protection and long-term performance required of a restored heritage roof. 

“At Hallmark Roofing Edinburgh Ltd, we believe the best conservation projects combine traditional craftsmanship with modern roofing technology. Permavent APEX enabled us to deliver a roof that respects the building’s historic character while providing long-term protection and performance. It’s a product we’re confident specifying on future heritage roofing projects.” 

Daryl Hall, Managing Director, Hallmark Roofing Edinburgh Ltd 

Permavent APEX

Air open and vapour permeable underlay

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