The Property

Lead Bays & Lead Door Canopy – North Yorkshire

This project formed part of a substantial roofing refurbishment to one of York’s most prestigious detached residential properties. The Lead Lads were appointed by the principal contractor, GNR Roofing Services, to undertake specialist leadwork to three feature bay windows and a central entrance canopy on the front elevation.

Large period homes often include prominent architectural details that contribute significantly to the appearance of the building. Bay windows and entrance canopies are among the most visible of these features, making high-quality leadwork essential for both weather protection and visual presentation.

The completed works included new Code 5 lead coverings to three bay roofs, a lead-covered entrance canopy, perimeter lead-lined gutters, decorative cappings and associated flashings. Each element had to be formed carefully to suit the shape, scale and character of the property.

Why the Original Leadwork Needed Replacing

The existing bay and canopy coverings had reached a stage where replacement offered the most reliable long-term solution. As leadwork ages, repeated thermal movement, exposure to weather and deterioration of supporting substrates can lead to fatigue, cracking and reduced performance.

Bay roofs and door canopies are particularly vulnerable because they contain multiple edges, corners, flashings, roll details and drainage points. If these elements are not correctly detailed, water can pond, track behind flashings or enter the structure below.

On a property of this quality, the replacement work also needed to respect the building’s appearance. The aim was not only to renew the coverings, but to deliver leadwork that looked proportionate, traditional and technically correct.

Leadwork Standards and Technical Approach

This project was completed using a standards-led approach, with careful attention given to support, movement, fixing, drainage and weathering.

• BS 6915 informed the design and installation of the fully supported lead sheet coverings.
• BS EN 12588 governed the rolled lead sheet material specification.
• Lead Sheet Association guidance informed bay sizing, expansion allowance, clip use, welding, bossing, dressing and general good practice.

The key principle was to allow the leadwork to move naturally while still providing secure weather protection. That meant using suitable substrates, correctly formed rolls, lead-lined gutters, movement joints, stainless steel clips and carefully dressed Code 5 leadwork.

Specification of Works

Preparation and Removal

• Safe access established to the front elevation bay and canopy areas.
• Existing coverings and defective details removed where required.
• Bay roof and canopy areas checked for falls, support and drainage routes.
• Substrate lines prepared ready for new plywood and leadwork installation.
• Works coordinated with the wider roof replacement being carried out by the principal contractor.

Substrate and Support

• New 18mm plywood substrates installed to the bay roof areas.
• Bitumen vapour control layer installed beneath the leadwork build-up.
• Timber rolls formed to divide the bay roofs into clear lead bays.
• Supporting details prepared to receive the rear lead-lined gutters and central expansion joint.

Leadwork Installation

• New Code 5 rolled lead sheet installed to three feature bay windows.
• Bay coverings dressed neatly around the timber roll details.
• Lead-lined gutters formed to the rear of the bay roofs.
• Central expansion joint incorporated within the lead-lined gutter detail.
• Perimeter edge detail formed using stainless steel clips shaped in a bending machine.
• New Code 5 lead covering installed to the central door canopy.
• Decorative stone plinths capped in lead to protect them from weathering.
• Lead flashings and abutment details formed to integrate the new coverings with the surrounding construction.

Finishing and Protection

• Patination oil applied to exposed lead surfaces immediately after installation.
• All joints, clips, cappings, gutters and flashings inspected for finish and continuity.
• Completed leadwork checked for appearance, falls, weathering and movement allowance.

The Materials

The materials for this project were selected to provide a durable, fully supported leadwork system suitable for bay windows, a central canopy and associated decorative cappings.

• Code 5 lead
• 18mm plywood
• Bitumen vapour control layer
• Timber rolls and timber fixings
• Stainless steel clips formed in a bending machine
• Patination oil

The combination of plywood support, vapour control layer, timber rolls, stainless steel clips and Code 5 lead allowed each bay to be formed with a traditional appearance while still allowing for correct movement and weathering.

If you are trying to understand which code of lead is right for a similar project, our shoppable lead chart is a useful starting point. For broader learning, see The Lead Handbook and our lead roofing guides.