Document the complete pattern as well as small details. Stars, curved shapes and edge pieces work together as one design. Agree which components should remain and which require renewal. Include metal surrounds and ornaments in the proposal. Product descriptions and detail drawings complement photographs, which cannot establish every material or fixing. Keep the design record for later maintenance.
Photograph the pattern before work
Take safe overview photographs that show the pattern, proportions and position of ornaments. Add existing drawings if available. A close-up of one slate is not enough to recreate the overall arrangement.
Distinguish preservation from renewal
Identify which slates and ornaments are intended to remain and which need assessment. Ask how reusable parts are handled and protected. Avoid assuming every existing element can be retained before its condition is established.
Include the metalwork
Ornaments, zinc details and other junctions contribute to both appearance and connections. Ask for a coordinated proposal for slate and metalwork. The material, dimensions and fastening need assessment beyond a photograph alone.
Keep a usable roof record
Save overview images, drawings and chosen materials with the quotation. Identify areas that could not be investigated initially. Record changes during execution so future maintenance can distinguish the original plan from the completed work.
Make the design recognisable
Use several views rather than only decorative close-ups. Mark the start and end of patterns and their relationship to windows and roof edges. Discuss what information is needed to agree the intended result before ordering materials.
Agree a review point
Discuss when a sample, drawing or first completed area can be reviewed. Record any agreed changes before work continues. This is a practical design agreement, not proof of a particular certification or a historic restoration status.
ROOFING IN MOTION
See the detail in motion.
The camera moves past animal figures on a work surface: a dragonfly, owl, scorpion and lizards. The recording shows their shapes and fine details. The exact metal cannot be identified from the images alone.
Read the related guide →The camera moves over a slate roof with roof windows, a chimney and junctions between roof slopes. The overview shows the slate courses and roof shape. This recording has a lower resolution than the detail photographs.
Read the related guide →Recordings are grouped by topic. They do not verify a project location, completion date or result.
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