We are JD Home Improvements, a family run roofing company on West Town Road in Shirehampton. Joe, our director, has more than 20 years of roofing experience, and he leads a team of over a dozen roofers with his son Tommy. This page explains what we see on Thornbury roofs and how we can help with yours.
A market town with a long history
Thornbury's centre has been a market town for centuries, and the streets around the High Street and St Mary's church show it. Many buildings date from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, with stone or brick walls and roofs in clay tile or slate. Some have parapets along the front, with gutters hidden behind them.
From the 1960s onwards, Thornbury expanded with estates of semis and detached houses around the old town. Those homes mostly have concrete tiled roofs, often with garages and flat-roofed extensions. Newer developments on the edges of the town continue that growth today.
Period roofs in the old town
Older buildings in the centre need careful handling. Roof timbers may have settled over the years, so new work should follow the existing lines rather than try to straighten them. Clay tiles and slates can often be reused, and replacements should match in size and colour so a repair does not stand out.
Parapet gutters behind the front walls of some buildings are a common source of hidden leaks. Leaves and silt block their outlets, and water rises over the lead lining into the building. Clearing them each year and relining them when the lead fails prevents most of the damage.
Roofs on the newer estates
Homes from the 1960s and 1970s have roofs that are now fifty years old or more. Their concrete tiles have weathered, and the mortar on the ridges and verges has cracked. At the eaves, the old felt has often perished. Timber fascias from the original build may be rotten behind the paint.
Many of these roofs do not need replacing yet. Dry verge and ridge systems, fitted alongside new uPVC fascias, can bring them up to date and add years of life. Where tiles and felt are both failing, a new roof becomes the better choice.
Common roof problems in Thornbury
- Slipped tiles and slates on older roofs in the town centre.
- Blocked parapet gutters behind front walls.
- Crumbling verge mortar on 1960s and 1970s homes.
- Leaking flat roofs over garages and extensions.
Slipped tiles and blocked gutters are routine roof repairs for our team. When an older roof has reached the end of its life, a new roof with a breathable membrane will protect the building for decades. Garage and extension roofs that leak are a job for our flat roofing service.
Conservation area considerations
Much of Thornbury's centre lies within a conservation area, and some buildings are listed. Like-for-like repairs with matching materials are usually straightforward, but changes to the look of a roof may need consent from the council, which the owner normally arranges. We are happy to explain what we propose and supply details of the materials, so you can check before work starts.
Weather off the Severn
Thornbury sits close to the Severn, and westerly wind blows in across the levels with little to slow it down. Roofs on the western side of the town catch the most weather. Ridge tiles and verges need to be firmly fixed, and when we refix or replace tiles in exposed spots, we use clips and mechanical fixings so they stay put.
Garages and extensions on the estates
Thornbury's newer estates are full of attached garages and kitchen extensions with flat roofs. Felt laid decades ago has usually reached the end of its life, and patching it only buys a little time. Cracks across the surface and puddles that sit after rain are the warning signs.
We replace these roofs properly, stripping the old covering so we can check the deck and swap any soft boards. The new covering goes down to a fall so water drains into the gutter, and the flashing against the house wall is renewed so the junction stays dry.
How we work
Ring us and tell us what is happening. We will arrange a visit and inspect the roof, then explain what we find in plain language. You receive a free written quote that sets out the work and the cost.
Once you are ready, we agree a start date and keep you informed. Payment is only due when the job is finished and you are completely satisfied.
Why Thornbury homeowners choose us
- South Glos coverage. Our Shirehampton base reaches Thornbury along the M5.
- Pay when happy. We do not ask for payment until the work is complete to your satisfaction.
- Accredited team. We are registered with the Confederation of Roofing Contractors, and our roofers hold CSCS cards.
- A 15 year warranty on our roofing work.
“Cannot thank JD Home Improvements and Son Ltd enough for sorting out problems with our soffits and fascias which another firm botched completely… Their work is so professional and everything left clean and tidy.”
Getting to Thornbury from Shirehampton
We head north up the M5 and come into Thornbury via the A38, a straightforward run from our yard. The High Street and St Mary's church make easy landmarks for directions.
We also cover neighbouring Yate and the north Bristol suburbs around Bradley Stoke.
Thornbury roofing FAQs
Do you work on period buildings in the town centre?
Yes. We match tiles and slates to the original, and we keep historic features wherever they are sound.
Water is coming through near my front wall. What could it be?
If your building has a parapet, a blocked or split gutter behind it is a likely cause. We can clear it and reline it if needed.
Does my 1970s roof need replacing?
Often not. Dry verges and new fascias can bring an older roof up to date. We give you an honest view after looking at it.
Do I need permission to repair a roof in the conservation area?
Like-for-like repairs usually do not. Changes to materials or appearance may, so check with the council. We can supply the details you need.
Can you replace my garage roof?
Yes. We strip the old felt and check the deck before laying a new flat roof.
Do you clear moss from roofs?
We do. We remove it by hand and treat the tiles, and we clean out the gutters during the same visit.
When do I pay?
Only once the work is finished and you are fully satisfied with it.
Are quotes free?
Yes. Every quote in Thornbury is free and carries no obligation.
Talk to a local roofer
If your Thornbury roof needs attention, we are happy to help. Call 07717 610410 or request a free quote.