Heritage Leadwork
The Lead Lads | Specialist Leadwork Contractors

Leadwork Services

Specialist lead roofing, lead flashings, bay roofs, gutters, valleys, dormers, heritage leadwork, repairs and bespoke architectural lead detailing.

Proper leadwork for domestic, heritage, commercial and specialist roofing projects, undertaken by experienced leadworkers with close attention to material specification, movement, substrates, drainage and long-term performance.

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The Lead Lads Services

Specialist Leadwork, Properly Detailed

Leadwork is a specialist roofing trade. Its performance depends as much on the detail beneath the lead as the finished surface you can see.

The Lead Lads undertake specialist lead roofing and sheet leadwork for homeowners, builders, architects, surveyors, developers, churches, main contractors and owners of historic buildings.

Our work ranges from small lead bay roof replacements and chimney flashings through to complete lead roofing, box gutters, dormers and complex architectural leadwork.

We consider the whole detail: the lead code, supporting substrate, bay dimensions, thermal movement, fixings, falls, drainage, ventilation, interfaces and the workmanship needed to bring those elements together.

Our wider technical library includes Leadwork Guides, Leadwork Standards and our Ultimate Guide to Lead Roofing.

Discuss Your Leadwork Project

Lead Roofing

Fully supported rolled lead sheet roofs, flat roofs, canopies and specialist roof coverings.

Lead Flashings

Chimney flashings, aprons, stepped flashings, soakers, back gutters and roof abutments.

Lead Bay Roofs

Replacement and new lead bay window roofs with properly formed rolls, drips and abutments.

Lead Gutters

Box gutters, parapet gutters, valley gutters, secret gutters, sumps and welded outlets.

Lead Dormers

Lead dormer roofs, clad cheeks, aprons, gutters and complex dormer interfaces.

Lead Detailing

Bespoke welded, bossed and formed leadwork for difficult junctions and architectural features.

Proper Leadwork

Leadwork Services for the Whole Building

From an individual leaking chimney flashing to a substantial heritage lead roof, the same principles apply: understand the detail, select the right material, allow the lead to move and install it properly.

Lead Roofing & Flat Roofs

Lead remains one of the most durable and adaptable materials available for fully supported roof coverings. We install new and replacement lead roofing to domestic, heritage and specialist buildings.

The finished roof depends on correct bay sizing, falls, rolls, drips, underlay, fixings and provision for thermal movement. The substrate and roof build-up must also be suitable before the lead is installed.

  • Complete rolled lead sheet roofs
  • Lead flat roofs and small roof areas
  • Entrance canopies and architectural roofs
  • Warm and cold roof build-ups
  • Timber rolls, drips, welts and perimeter details
  • Replacement of failed or incorrectly detailed lead roofs
Explore Lead Roofing

Lead Flashings & Chimney Leadwork

Flashings protect some of the most vulnerable junctions on a roof. We undertake new and replacement lead flashings to chimneys, masonry walls, roof abutments, dormers and penetrations.

  • Stepped cover flashings
  • Chimney aprons
  • Lead soakers
  • Back gutters and saddles
  • Continuous abutment flashings where appropriate
  • Rooflight and penetration weatherings
Explore Lead Flashings

Lead Bay Window Roofs

Traditional bay roofs may be relatively small, but they contain some of the most detail-sensitive leadwork on a property. We undertake lead bay roof replacement, repairs and new installations.

Where appropriate, replacement work can incorporate improvements to the timber substrate, insulation, falls, flashings and edge details rather than simply replacing the visible lead covering.

Explore Lead Bay Roofs

Lead Gutters, Valleys & Rainwater Details

Lead is particularly well suited to complex rainwater details where standard gutter systems cannot provide the required shape, durability or architectural finish.

Our lead gutter work includes:

  • Box gutters
  • Parapet gutters
  • Valley gutters
  • Secret gutters
  • Back gutters
  • Welded sumps and outlets
  • Steps, drips and expansion details

Falls, outlet capacity, bay lengths and movement allowance all need to be considered before the lead is laid.

Explore Lead Gutters

Lead Dormers

Lead dormers can incorporate lead roofs, clad cheeks, aprons, flashings, secret gutters and complex interfaces with the surrounding roof covering.

We work on both traditional dormers and larger contemporary loft-conversion structures where careful substrate design and weathering are essential.

Explore Lead Dormers

Bespoke & Architectural Leadwork

Not every lead detail fits neatly into a standard category. Our specialist lead detailing includes welded outlets, sumps, cappings, cornices, curved roofs, decorative features and bespoke junctions.

Lead can be bossed, dressed, welded and fabricated to resolve difficult interfaces while retaining the durability and appearance expected from traditional sheet leadwork.

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Repair & Replacement

Lead Roof Repairs

Not every defective lead detail needs complete replacement.

We undertake lead roof repairs where a localised repair represents a sensible and durable solution. We can also identify situations where repeated patching is unlikely to resolve the underlying problem.

Common defects include:

  • Fatigue cracking and splitting
  • Failed chimney flashings
  • Loose or inadequately fixed leadwork
  • Oversized bays restricting thermal movement
  • Failed welds and outlets
  • Poorly detailed gutters and valleys
  • Rotten or unsuitable supporting substrates
  • Historic repairs restricting natural movement

Where the cause of failure is not obvious, the existing detail should be understood before deciding whether repair or replacement is appropriate.

Lead Roof Repairs
Traditional Buildings

Heritage & Conservation Leadwork

Lead has protected historic buildings for centuries and remains particularly well suited to listed buildings, churches, country houses, period properties and traditional roof structures.

Our heritage leadwork considers the building as well as the roof covering. Existing construction, historic fabric, original detailing and conservation requirements may all influence the appropriate repair.

Work can include:

  • Traditional lead roof coverings
  • Church and ecclesiastical leadwork
  • Heritage box and parapet gutters
  • Traditional chimney weatherings
  • Lead detailing to stone and historic masonry
  • Rolled lead and sand cast lead applications
  • Conservation-led repair and replacement
Explore Heritage Leadwork
sandcast lead spitter
Standards & Workmanship

Proper Leadwork Is More Than a Neat Finish

Lead is remarkably durable, but it is also a material that moves. Long-term performance depends on appropriate sheet sizes, suitable lead codes, correct fixing, properly designed substrates and enough freedom for thermal expansion and contraction.

Our work is informed by recognised leadwork principles and relevant guidance including leadwork standards, BS 6915 and the material requirements applicable to rolled lead sheet manufactured to BS EN 12588.

Explore Leadwork Standards Read Our Leadwork Guides
Our Work

Lead Roofing Projects

The best way to understand specialist leadwork is to see it in practice. Our project archive records completed lead roofs, bay windows, gutters, dormers, chimney details, architectural features and heritage work across projects of different scales.

The archive also provides useful examples of the junctions, substrates, rolls, drips, welds and weathering details involved in real leadwork rather than isolated technical diagrams.

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Residential Leadwork

Bay windows, chimney flashings, valleys, dormers, canopies and complete roof areas on traditional and modern homes.

Heritage Leadwork

Traditional lead roofing and conservation-led detailing to listed buildings, churches and architecturally significant properties.

Commercial & Specialist

Lead roofing and specialist details undertaken directly or as a specialist subcontract package within wider construction works.

Local Leadwork

Find a Leadwork Specialist

The Lead Lads provide specialist leadwork through locally operated service areas. Tell us where your property is and what work is required and we can review the enquiry and direct it to the appropriate local team where coverage is available.

Our Yorkshire service network covers enquiries for lead roofing, bay roofs, chimney flashings, gutters, valleys, dormers, repairs and heritage leadwork, with larger specialist projects considered further afield where appropriate.

York & North Yorkshire

Specialist leadwork enquiries across York and surrounding North Yorkshire locations, including heritage, residential and architectural projects.

Explore our leadwork service areas →

Wakefield & West Yorkshire

Lead Lads® Wakefield provides locally operated specialist leadwork across Wakefield and surrounding West Yorkshire areas.

Contact your local Lead Lads team →

Wider Projects

Substantial heritage, commercial and specialist leadwork projects can be considered beyond our core local service areas depending on scale, access, programme and suitability.

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Find Your Local Leadwork Specialist
Planning a Project?

Leadwork Prices & Quotations

Leadwork should be priced according to the actual detail rather than an arbitrary square-metre rate.

Material code, access, scaffolding, roof build-up, substrate condition, bay sizes, complexity, welding, outlets, interfaces and heritage requirements can all affect the cost.

Our Leadwork Prices & Services hub explains these factors in more detail and provides dedicated information for individual types of leadwork.

Explore Leadwork Prices
Materials

Need Lead Rather Than Installation?

The Lead Lads Shop supplies rolled lead sheet and associated leadwork materials to trade and public throughout the UK.

Use the Lead Flashing Chart to compare lead codes, widths and roll lengths, browse rolled lead sheet, or use our lead weight calculator when planning materials.

Technical information is also available through The Lead Handbook.

Visit The Lead Lads Shop

Leadwork Services FAQ

We undertake specialist lead roofing, lead flashings, bay window roofs, lead gutters, valleys, dormers, chimney leadwork, heritage leadwork, roof repairs and bespoke architectural lead detailing.

Yes. We undertake complete rolled lead sheet roof coverings as well as smaller roof areas, bays, canopies, dormers, gutters and individual weathering details. The substrate, bay sizes, movement allowance, lead code and drainage all form part of the installation.

Yes. We undertake chimney leadwork including front aprons, stepped flashings, cover flashings, soakers, back gutters and saddles. Where existing work is leaking, the detail should be reviewed to establish whether local repair or replacement is the better solution.

Yes. Lead bay roof replacement is one of our core services. Replacement may also provide an opportunity to improve the supporting substrate, insulation, falls, rolls, drips and abutment flashings where required.

Yes. We undertake lead box gutters, parapet gutters, valley gutters, secret gutters, back gutters, sumps and welded outlets. Correct falls, drainage capacity and allowance for thermal movement are particularly important in gutter work.

Yes. Local repairs can be appropriate where the surrounding leadwork remains serviceable. Where failure results from incorrect bay sizing, restricted movement, defective substrates or widespread fatigue, more substantial replacement may provide a better long-term solution.

Yes. We undertake heritage leadwork to listed buildings, churches, period properties and traditional structures. The repair approach should consider the existing building fabric, original details and any conservation requirements alongside the performance of the new leadwork.

Leadwork should take account of recognised industry standards and guidance covering rolled lead sheet, bay sizing, movement, substrates, fixings and workmanship. Our technical library includes further information on BS 6915, BS EN 12588, BS 6229 and wider leadwork guidance.

Send us the property location, photographs and a description of the work required. Approximate dimensions, drawings, specifications and information about access or scaffolding are also useful. We can then review the enquiry and advise whether further information or a site visit is required.

Yes. Rolled lead sheet, leadwork fixings, underlays and associated materials are available through The Lead Lads Shop for trade and public customers throughout the UK.

Start Your Project

Need Specialist Leadwork?

Send us photographs, the property location and a brief description of the work. Whether you need a chimney flashing replaced, a lead bay renewed, a box gutter installed or a complete specialist lead roof, we can review the project and advise on the next step.

Request a Leadwork Quote View Leadwork Projects
The Lead Lads

#ProperLeadwork

Specialist leadwork for trade and public.

Our focus is simple: proper leadwork, correctly detailed and installed with an understanding of how lead behaves over the long term.

From individual roof repairs and chimney flashings to complete lead roofs, box gutters, heritage projects and complex architectural details, we approach each project according to the building and the work required.

Explore our technical guides, review our completed projects or send us your project information for review.

Get a Leadwork Quote
leadwork

Lead Lads® Wakefield
Operated by Penman Leadwork & Roofing Ltd
12 Woodside, Wrenthorpe
Wakefield, WF2 0LE
United Kingdom

hello@theleadlads.co.uk

All rights reserved

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