Spend an afternoon walking through Canonbury, and you will quickly understand what makes Islington N1 different. The Georgian terraces aren’t just old — they are alive with 200 years of architectural decisions, each layered upon the last.

Above it all, roofs quietly carry the weight of London’s weather, year after year, mostly unnoticed — until they fail.

We have been working on those roofs since 2009. Obsidian Roofing LTD started as a two-man operation focused almost entirely on leadwork and period property repairs in North London. Over fifteen years, that focus hasn’t shifted; if anything, it has deepened.

This page explains what we do, why period properties in Islington N1 require specialist roofing knowledge, and what to expect when you work with us. Call 07488 777726 — we cover the entire N1 postcode and usually schedule visits within 48 hours.

📍 Also serving: Kensington & Chelsea, Camden, and Kilburn.

📊 Why Georgian Roofs Need Specialist Leadwork

This infographic compares heritage and modern methods — and explains why getting it wrong costs far more in the long run.

✦ Traditional lead (Code 4/5) lasts 60–100 years and is heritage-compliant. Modern synthetics last 15–25 years and are generally rejected by conservation officers.

Georgian properties — roughly built between 1714 and 1830 — weren’t designed with modern roofing contractors in mind. The original roof structures were constructed from green or air-dried timber, laid on relatively shallow pitches, and designed to flex as the building settled over decades.

Modern roofing products often assume the opposite. On a Georgian roof, they can trap moisture inside a permeable structure, accelerating rot in rafters and masonry deterioration.

We have seen beautifully maintained Georgian homes develop serious structural problems because a previous roofer applied modern methods to a building requiring traditional solutions.

Lead flashing is subtle. Most homeowners only notice it when something has gone wrong elsewhere — a damp patch on a bedroom ceiling, a tide mark on the chimney breast, or a smell of mildew after heavy rain.

By the time these symptoms appear, water has usually been infiltrating for weeks or even months. The original entry point and the visible damage are often a metre or more apart.

Our leadwork team is trained in techniques that genuinely matter for heritage properties: bossing, welding for joints on flat work, and careful dressing to follow irregular masonry contours.

These methods produce flashings that last 60 to 100 years. We exclusively work with Code 4 lead for standard flashing applications and Code 5 for heavier-duty work such as valley gutters and parapets.

📖 Georgian Roof Conservation — Full Technical Guide

Compiled by Obsidian Roofing LTD — 12 pages of detailed diagnostics, material science, and heritage conservation guidance for Islington N1 period properties.

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📄 Preserving the Georgian Roofscape of Islington N1 — A Diagnostic Guide to Period Property Water Ingress, Leadwork, and Heritage Conservation

Chimneys on Georgian properties are almost always working hard, acting as structural elements, ventilation systems, and weatherproofing junctions.

The most common issue is failed pointing. On properties in conservation areas, repairs must use natural hydraulic lime mortar and traditional pot designs.

Homeowners reported damp plaster appearing after heavy rain. A previous roofer’s mastic application had merely masked incorrect lead fixings. Our survey uncovered multiple hidden issues, including an aged Code 3 lead valley, a blocked parapet gutter, and rotted fascia boards. Comprehensive replacement dried the ceiling within six weeks.

✓ Real project, Barnsbury Conservation Area, Islington N1

All prices are estimates. A free on-site survey is required for accurate quotation. Call 07488 777726 to arrange your no-obligation inspection within 48 hours.