Roof Replacement in Southsea
Re-slating and re-roofing for Southsea's Victorian and Edwardian homes, done with care for the look of the street. Free, no-obligation quotes from local roofers based in Portchester.
- Free, no-obligation quotes
- Full strip and re-roof
- Scaffolding arranged for you
- Fully insured
Re-roofing Southsea's period homes properly
Southsea has some of the finest period housing in Portsmouth, and much of it is still under natural slate. The slate itself can last a very long time, but the nails holding it do not, and after well over a century of salty air off the Solent many of these roofs have slates slipping faster than they can be refixed.
When that happens, a full re-slate is usually the answer. We strip the roof, check and repair the timbers, fit a breathable membrane and new battens, then re-slate using new slate or, where the originals are sound, a careful mix of reclaimed and new to keep the character of the house.
Southsea roofs come with plenty of detail: bay roofs, valley gutters, dormers, chimney stacks and lead work at every abutment. We renew all of it as part of the job, so the whole roof is finished to the same standard.
- Full strip and re-roof
- Timber checks and rafter repairs
- Breathable membrane and new battens
- Ridges, hips, verges and lead work renewed
- Scaffolding arranged for you
- Old roof removed and site left tidy
Signs your roof needs replacing
On Southsea's slate roofs the warning signs are usually easy to spot from the street or the loft.
Slates slipping all over
When slates slide out across the roof, the nails have usually corroded throughout and refixing one at a time cannot keep up.
A roof full of tingles
Metal strips called tingles hold refixed slates in place. A roof covered in them has been patched for years and is near the end of its life.
Flaking or crumbling slates
Slates that are delaminating, flaking at the edges or soft to the touch no longer shed water properly.
No underlay at all
Many Victorian roofs were slated straight onto battens with nothing beneath, so any slipped slate lets rain into the loft.
Valley and bay leaks that return
Leaks at valley gutters and bay roofs that come back after each repair often point to a roof that needs renewing as a whole.
Torching falling into the loft
The old lime mortar on the underside of the slates crumbles with age, letting draughts and driven rain into the roof space.
Re-roofing across Southsea
From the grand villas to the long terraced streets, each part of Southsea brings its own kind of roof.
Owen's Southsea PO5
Victorian villas and terraces in a conservation area, where slate and traditional details need to match.
Palmerston Road PO5
Period terraces and conversions around the shops, often with several flats sharing one roof.
Albert Road & Elm Grove PO4 / PO5
Busy streets with flats above shops and long terraces, where access and scaffolding need careful planning.
Craneswater PO4
Larger Edwardian and inter-war houses near the seafront, with big hipped roofs and generous lead work.
The seafront PO4 / PO5
Homes facing the Solent take the full force of the weather, so membrane, fixings and ridges need to be right.
Milton & Eastney PO4
Terraces and semis towards Langstone Harbour, from tile re-roofs to full re-slates.
Roof replacement Portsmouth
How we replace a roof in Southsea
From the first visit to the last slate, this is how a roof replacement with us runs in Southsea.
Inspection and free quote
We look at the roof and the loft, take photos and explain what we find before giving you a clear, written quote.
Scaffold and strip
Scaffolding goes up, then the old covering, battens and felt come off and are taken away responsibly.
Timbers and membrane
Rafters are checked and repaired where needed, then a breathable membrane and new treated battens go on.
New roof and finishes
Slate or tiles are laid, ridges, hips, verges, valleys and lead work are finished neatly, and the site is left clean.
Slate, clay or concrete tiles?
For most of Southsea's period homes, slate is the right choice for looks and longevity, but it is not the only option.
Natural slate
Long-lasting and right for many Victorian and Edwardian houses, fixed to suit the pitch and exposure.
Clay plain tiles
A traditional small-format tile with a warm colour, often chosen for character and period homes.
Concrete tiles
Interlocking concrete tiles are a practical, cost-effective choice for many semis and bungalows.
Re-using your tiles
Where the existing tiles are sound, they can sometimes be stripped and re-laid on new underlay and battens.
What our customers say
Average from 17 reviews on Google
- High standard of work
- On time
- Leaks sorted
- Polite staff
Altitude came recommended and lived up to it: quick to respond, polite and fairly priced. They put right a large shed roof that another company had already had two goes at.
Great from first call to finish. Jordan took the time to explain what was behind the cold spots in the house, kept us updated throughout, and the roof work itself was done to a high standard.
I had water coming in around the chimney and some very expensive quotes elsewhere. Jordan was honest, explained exactly what the repair needed and broke the cost down clearly.
Customer comments are summarised from their Google reviews. Rating correct as of September 2026.
Roof replacement Southsea FAQs
Answers to the questions we are asked most about replacing a roof in Southsea.
Can you re-roof a house in a Southsea conservation area?
Yes. Several parts of Southsea are conservation areas, where the council expects roofs to keep their character, which usually means natural slate and traditional details. Like-for-like re-slating rarely needs permission, but changing the material or the look of the roof can. We flag anything that could apply before work starts, and Portsmouth City Council can confirm if you are unsure.
Should I replace my slate roof with concrete tiles to save money?
On a Southsea period home we would usually advise against it. Concrete tiles are heavier than slate, so the roof timbers may need strengthening, and the change can look out of place on a slate street or be restricted in a conservation area. Slate costs more up front but suits the house.
Can you reuse my original slates?
Sometimes. If the slates are sound and it is mainly the nails that have failed, good slates can be stripped, sorted and re-hung on new membrane and battens, topped up with matching reclaimed or new slate. We check their condition before quoting and tell you honestly whether it is worthwhile.
How much does a roof replacement cost in Southsea?
It depends mostly on the size and detail of the roof and the material. A re-slate on a terrace with a bay, a rear addition and a chimney is a different job from a simple gable roof, and natural slate costs more than concrete tiles. Access matters too on busy streets. We inspect first and give you a free, written quote with the work explained.
Do you renew the valley gutters and lead work as well?
Yes. Valley gutters, chimney flashings, soakers and aprons are renewed as part of a full re-roof where they need it. It makes no sense to put a new roof on around tired lead work.
Roof replacement in nearby areas
We replace roofs right across Portsmouth and South Hampshire. Find out more about your area, or see every area we cover.
Get a free roof replacement quote in Southsea
Request a callback and we will arrange a time to look at your roof, explain what we find and give you a clear, written quote.