IHBC’s new edition of its members’ journal Context is out – No. 185 –and for this round we feature first for NewsBlog readers Chris Wood IHBC, IHBC’s Education Secretary, on a new code of practice for slate and stone roofing from Historic England.
IHBC writes:
Historic England intends later this year to consult on a code of practice for repairing historic stone and slate roofs, and on the technical advice note that will support it.
Chris Wood writes:
Slate and stone roofs are often the most important part of a historic building. They may contain evidence of structures and detailing going back many centuries and are usually the least altered parts of a building. But much of the subtle detailing which gives them their attractive and unique character is being lost during works which comply with modern standards and recommendations. As a result, Historic England is intending to publish a Code of Practice for Slate and Stone Roofing which aims to provide best practice advice and guidance for repairing historic stone and slate roofs. The code will be supported by a more detailed technical advice note (TAN). The draft documents are expected to be ready for consultation with heritage bodies and industry by late autumn.
The need for a code of practice
Current standards and guidance documents are mainly written by the industry and intended for new works, and inevitably champion modern methods and materials. A number of important standards and codes include recommendations that are unnecessary and positively harm the significance of historic and traditional buildings. Many roofers who work on these buildings are not trained in the use of vernacular methods and detailing and have not even used traditional materials
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The aim of the code of practice is to ensure that historic stone and slate roofs are cared for and conserved effectively. Beyond that, it is hoped that it will raise awareness of the importance of vernacular roofs and details, and encourage more recording and research so that lasting records of these important traditions are built up. In time, they may well provide irrefutable evidence that these techniques and materials do perform well and are entirely suited to modern-day living.
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Chris Wood is chair of the IHBC education, training and standards committee. Now retired, he was formerly head of building conservation and research at Historic England. He was the main author of the Roofing volume in the English Heritage Practical Building Conservation series.
Context 185: CONTENTS
Themed Articles
- Editorial
- Understanding pitched roofs, Madeleine Clark
- A code of practice for slate and stone roofing, Chris Wood
- Reslating an ancient water mill, Terry Hughes
- A carbon case for indigenous slate, Soki Rhee-Duverne and Jim Hart
- Successful solar generation in the historic environment, Morwenna Slade
- Sourcing Scottish slate in the 21st century, Imogen Shaw and Graham Briggs
- The roofscape of Hampstead Garden Suburb, Joe Mathieson
Feature Articles
- Conserving the postmodern legacy of the Sainsbury Wing, Alasdair Travers and Jon Wright
- The sad story of Derby Hippodrome, Derek Latham, Peter Steer and Ashley Waterhouse
Regular & Occasional features & updates
- Briefing
- Out of Context
- Periodically
- The writer’s voice
- Letter
- Law and policy
- Vox pop
- Reviews
IHBC Updates
- IHBC celebrates World Heritage UK’s anniversary, Rebecca Thompson
- Notes from the chair
- Director’s cut
- Inter alia
- New member profile
- New members
Commercial
- Products and services
- Specialist suppliers index
Reading Context helps IHBC members develop their skills across all of the IHBC’s Areas of Competence, and so is a critical baseline in addressing priorities in Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Access the online archive and see the issue online
See more IHBC background and guidance on IHBC CPD and on how you might use past, current and future issues of Context
See the formal guidance paper on IHBC CPD (scheduled for update)
See more on the IHBC Competences and Areas of Competence
