Dry ridge conversions
Old mortar stripped off, ridge tiles mechanically fixed to a ridge batten with a ventilated, weatherproof dry ridge system.
Dry verge & dry ridge Swindon
Dry verge & dry ridge
systems in Swindon
Mortar-bedded ridge and verge tiles crack and work loose after a few winters. We convert them to mechanically fixed dry systems that stay put, with no mortar to fail and a 15-year written guarantee.
What we fit
Dry fix systems
Dry verge conversions
Interlocking dry verge units fitted to gable ends, replacing cracked mortar and holding the edge tiles securely in place.
Dry hip systems
Hip tiles fixed mechanically with a dry hip system, ideal on hipped roofs where mortar has failed.
Built-in ventilation
Dry ridge systems let the roof breathe at the top, helping to prevent condensation in the loft.
Why switch from mortar to dry fix?
Ridge and verge tiles were traditionally bedded in sand and cement. Mortar is rigid, and as the roof moves with temperature changes and frost gets into it, it cracks. Water then gets in, pieces drop into the gutter, and eventually tiles loosen or blow off in high winds.
Since the 2014 update to BS 5534, the British Standard for slating and tiling, ridge, hip and verge tiles must be mechanically fixed rather than relying on mortar alone. A dry fix system does exactly that: every tile is screwed or clipped down, and there's no mortar left to crack.
What a conversion involves
- Old mortar and loose ridge or verge tiles carefully removed
- New ridge batten and brackets fitted where needed
- Your existing ridge tiles re-used where they're sound, or new matching ones fitted
- Dry ridge roll and unions, or dry verge units, colour-matched to your roof
- Every tile mechanically fixed, with a 15-year written guarantee
Most conversions don't need a full re-roof, so it's a cost-effective way to stop recurring ridge and verge problems. It pairs well with new fascias and guttering, since the same access does both jobs.
Dry fix questions
Dry verge & ridge: your questions
Is a dry ridge better than a mortar ridge?
Yes. It's mechanically fixed and ventilated, so it won't crack, wash out or work loose like mortar does. It's also what the current British Standard requires on new work.
Can you convert my ridge without replacing the whole roof?
Yes. In most cases we strip the old mortar, re-fix the existing ridge tiles with a dry system and leave the rest of the roof as it is.
Will dry verge match my roof?
Dry verge units come in colours to suit most tiles, including grey, brown, terracotta and black, and they finish the gable end neatly.
How long does a dry ridge or verge conversion take?
A typical house is usually done in a day or two, depending on access and the length of ridge and verge.
Related services
Dry verge & ridge Swindon
Mortar falling into
your gutters?
Free survey and a written quote with a 15-year guarantee.