Environmental Considerations

The geography of this region creates some unique challenges. Queensbury’s exposed position at over 1,100 feet above sea level means those roofs take an absolute battering – wind speeds up there can be double what they are down in Bradford city centre. The Aire Valley locations like Bingley and Shipley are more sheltered but have their own issues with damp and limited direct sunlight, leading to moss and algae growth on north-facing roof slopes. The moorland proximity affects many of these areas – that peaty soil gets blown onto roofs and gutters, creating blockages and accelerating the deterioration of roof coverings. You can tell which direction the prevailing wind comes from just by looking at which side of the roof has the most moss growth. Planning restrictions vary dramatically across this patch. The World Heritage status in Saltaire means roofing materials and techniques are tightly controlled, while conservation areas in Baildon, Tong and parts of Bingley also have strict requirements. Even outside these areas, the council’s getting more particular about maintaining the character of traditional buildings. The modern housing estates have their own challenges – the rush to build quickly means some corners were cut in roof construction, particularly in some of the developments from the early 2000s housing boom. We’re already seeing failures in roofs that should have decades of life left in them. We’re seeing more homeowners across all these areas investing in roof insulation when re-roofing, driven by energy costs and environmental concerns. Solar panel installations are becoming more common too, especially in the more affluent areas, which means we’re often having to assess roof structures for additional loading.