bay window canopy

[seneca]

I have a bay window at the front of the house with a tatty flat lead roof over it. I was wondering whether a canopy of some sort was available for it. The bay has sides that are 45 degree, so I can't buy a readymade made one as they are all for bays with ninety degree sides (hope this makes sense.) The lead is old but does not leak, it's just it looks a bit messy, and I would prefer something with a bit of a slope to it. Anyone know where I could get one from? I presume it woud have to be made to measure. Also, do they have to be GRP, or are other materials available? if so, what?
I was thinking of building a wodden frame over the top of it and then using roofing tiles that match my roofs on it. That may need some thought though...

any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[masona]

The problem of having 45 degree with roof tiles, the tile ridge on the corner look too big and bulky (depending how big the bay window is), I normally make a oversize square finish and use a supporting bracket on each end or carry on with the roof pass the front door or over the porch etc

The GRP are not cheap!

 

[seneca]

the tile ridge on the corner look too big and bulky

if you mean those parts that cover the gap between the straight roof and the 45' sides, i agree. A chap near me built his own, then realised he could not get a waterproof join between the 2 edges and put HUGE ridges on. The ruin the whole look now and all his good work is underdone. How can you cover the gap otherwise? I have seen some people use a strip of lead flashing over the two 45' joins, but that looks just as bad. As the flat lead i already have over the canopy is waterproof, I was thinking of leaving it on there and building on top of it. Hence, it's not that important that I get a water tight join. How about using some sort of flashing underneath the two edges? The problem is I don't know what is available in terms of tiles? might there be an L shaped edge that could blend in with the rest of the roof.

The GRP are not cheap!

I know. I have seen one that is second hand, but it has 90' edges
anyone know where I can get one from (any links etc)

 

[masona]

Ring around for the roofing merchants if they do any smaller narrow ridge tiles if that's any help, I've seen hand made small ridge tiles

 

[Nige F]

Any chance of a picture ? by tatty do you mean white +powdery .....you could clean it off, polish with wire wool and apply patination oil job done in a morning when the weather warms up

 

[seneca]

Can't do a picture at the moment (camera problems... bloody move to digital. )

by tatty I just mean looking worn with a few uneven areas. the lead is sound as there's no leaking. It's more of an aesthetic thing. I think the house would look nicer if there was a pithced canopy of some sort over the bay. Some others in my road have attempted it with a wooden frame, overlayed with roof tiles, but everyone has come stuck on the joins between the front and sides. Nobody has a good solution to it. Ridges look huge and ridiculous, flashing spoils the joins, and that's it. Another house has used a GRP canopy and it looks quite good, but is a bit on the large size. Hence, I was wondering whether anyone knew of any online firms who dealt in this. Or any online company who specialise in roof tiles and has pictures of their stock.

 

[Nige F]

Right cut the tiles with a grinder and have hidden lead soakers under the tiles at each hip forming the bond/weathering the tiles on each row

 

[Nige F]

come to that they don`t need to be lead........just a long life flexible sheet of something

 

[sam8364]

We had our bay window done with smaller ridge tiles which look fine (compared to other in the street with full sized tiles which look very out of proportion. They also look smarter than the neightbours ones done with lead and other done with just cement which have invariably failed.

 

[seneca]

thanks guys, a lot of food for thought there.

I think I need to get some information on roofing, and what terms like"hidden lead soakers" mean. Is there a good online resource? or will I need to visit a bookshop/library. I am considering doing the job myself, as people living near me have tried getting someone to do it, but either can't find someone reliable, or nobody wants to do it.

compared to other in the street with full sized tiles which look very out of proportion.

I know what you mean. Chap 3 doors down from me used full size and they look whacky. He's going to take them off and re-do the whole thing in the spring.

If I were to attempt a job like this I think I would build the thing to size in my garage, chacked it looked ok and functioned as it should, and then dismantle and reassemble the thing on top of the bay. Afterall it's only going to serve as a cosmetic feature, the old flat lead is still watertight.

cheers.

 

[Nige F]

hidden soaker .....i`ll try and explain cuz I cant load jack **** onto this computer .............as the rows of tiles turn the corner of the hip you cut the soaker to form a "bent tile" covering the gap and weathering in the row below ..........easy to do

 

[Nige F]

As a last resort look for my email in my profile and send your house address to me ....I`ll do a small line drawing and post it snail mail

 

[seneca]

I think I understand you Nige F. You mean the lead strip goes over the tiles at the point where the two tile edges join. The problem with this is it does look too brilliant. The actual bay is not too wide or deep, so there aren't many tiles on it. If I have two thick lead strips over the edge joins they do stand out.
Whilst passing a row of houses today I spotted a bay canopy that looked great. The thing is they used lead strips, but somehow placed the strip underneath the tile joins. How did they manage this? They eneded up with a smart looking tile canopy with the tiles joint with no lead strips or ridges. Should have rung their doorbell and asked them about it, but was stuck in traffic.... also they might have thought me odd

 

[Nige F]

Not OVER the tiles , that`s a cover flashing but under like you saw can only be done with small tiles ,obviously

 

[Nige F]

It`d be easier for me to drive up from Sussex and do it for you anywhere near a holiday resort NOT the bloody seaside , I`m near enough to that here