R&R Final PDF's November '17 cc

Article
History in the making
Discover how Keymer’s handmade tiles have been used for two challenging restoration projects.
If you care about preserving heritage then
you’ll want to know more about Keymer,
one of the UK’s oldest established roofing
brands. For four and a half centuries it has
manufactured every clay roof tile through
traditional handmade techniques, passed
down through generations.
These handmade tiles are soft and durable
clay products that offer variations in colour,
texture and shape that cannot be replicated
anywhere else. They’ve been relied upon for
some of the country’s most challenging
heritage projects: in May 2016 over 90,000
Keymer Handmade Traditional Plain Tiles (all
handmade!) had been fitted for the roof
restoration of Loseley House, a historical
attraction located near Guildford, Surrey.
It’s a high profile building - drawing
thousands of visitors every year. Not only
that, but it’s used as a prime filming location
for national TV shows such as Midsummer
Murders and The Crown. As such, the
pressure to do a good job was high. Michael
is a direct descendant of original owner Sir
William More and in over 500 years of the
house’s history, very little has been changed
to the exterior of the property – providing an
accurate depiction of the house when first
completed.
So when the time came to replace Loseley
House’s roof – only the second roof in the
history of the home – it was vital that the
product used reflected the property’s rich
heritage and traditional architecture. Michael
More-Molyneux was dissatisfied with the
house’s current slate tile, which replaced the
roof’s original Horsham slab in 1856, and so
sought a softer tile that would be more
reflective of the home’s 16th century origins.
Keymer was the obvious solution when the
family sought to undertake repairs on
Loseley’s roof. The premium handmade tiles
are produced using the original clays of the
South Weald, and perfectly complemented
the heritage look and feel the More-Molyneux
family wished to replicate.
The tiles unique design means that they
weather naturally, and look better with each
year that passes, vital in a heritage project
such as Loseley House. The Keymer
Handmade Traditional Plain Tiles design
contrasts with the house’s hand-made brick.
It results in a country home which flawlessly
preserves its unique heritage and, thanks to
the roof replacement, can be enjoyed for
another 100 years to come. Indeed, the 16th
century building remains beautifully
authentic - vindicating Loseley House owner
Michael More-Molyneux’s choice of Keymer
for the project.
The Keymer brand forms a strong foundation
for the heritage industry in the UK. Even
though it has moved base several times it has
always stuck to its artisan approach. The
handmade process is mesmerising to watch.
Every tile is mixed, moulded, cut and shaped
by hand. The makers use unique
combinations of sand and clay to bring out
special variations of colour and texture. Take
the Keymer Handmade Traditional Plain Tiles
“Keymer handmade clay
tiles are a perfect fit with
the historic property and
its nearby surroundings.
The finished project looks
truly incredible and has
been much admired by
the local community”
for example: to get the vibrant, warmth of
colour they once used the specific local, rich
Wealden red clay. Furthermore, every Keymer
tile is uniquely marked by its maker - the
impression of their hand is left on every tile.
Before we tell you about another project let’s
take a quick glance at the Keymer range,
looking at two products in particular. We’ve
10 Refurb retrofit
magazine
November 2017 R6