An exclusive 4,000 square metre new build home located near Henley-in-Arden not only features an impressive natural slate roof, courtesy of SIGA slate from SIG Roofing - the UK’s leading roofing supplier - it boasts a number of bat entry points that have been discreetly positioned at the roof line to offer a secure habitat for this protected species.
Located on the slate roof of this Georgian style house, as well as the garage and outbuildings, a total of five bat entry points have been accommodated. Handmade from lead with a felt underlay, these pockets offer no disruption to the natural slate roofscape, which features SIGA 32 natural slate.
Architect for the project Martin Kennard of Hawkes Edward and Cave explains: “Common in rural areas, these entry points provide the bats with an area enabling them to roost harmlessly away from human predators. Cleverly concealed, they are almost impossible to detect from ground level.”
A total of 500 x 300 natural SIGA slates were supplied by SIG Roofing for this impressive five bedroomed house, which was rebuilt following the demolition of an old farm house on the same site.
In conjunction with the architect and JS Bloor Homes Ltd, the roof was designed specifically to make better use of the volume of the house. Whilst the original farmhouse had a roof pitch of 45°, the new house features a roof pitch of only 22.5°. Specified to blend in with its natural surroundings, the slate tiles were laid in a diminishing course for an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Roofing contractors for the project S M Roofing Contracts Ltd used copper nails together with a breathable underlay and SRT Premium Gold batten when slating the roof.
Situated on a two-acre plot, this impressive development is four times the size of a standard house. In addition to preserving roosting environments for bats, the architects also incorporated a second pond in order to remove and protect newts during the construction of the new house.
