Reclaimed Roof Tiles, Ridge tiles
Reclaimed Ridge Tiles | Your Comprehensive Guide
Feb
Reclaimed Ridge Tiles
Reclaimed ridge tiles are available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and styles, reflecting both the type of roof covering and the architectural status of the building they were originally used on.
This guide provides a practical overview of salvaged ridge tiles, including their common forms, colour variations and how they are typically paired with different roofing materials. Whether you are undertaking a restoration project or sourcing materials for a repair, understanding ridge tile selection is essential to achieving an authentic and technically appropriate finish.
Second Hand Ridge Tiles | The Basics
In most cases, reclaimed ridge tiles fall into three core colour groups:
- Natural Red – traditional terracotta clay, commonly used with plain tiles.
- Blue/Black – typically paired with slate roof coverings.
- Buff – a lighter tone often found on heritage and regional materials.
Additional colour options may be available in glazed clay or concrete to match specific roof tiles, particularly on more modern coverings.
Ridge tiles can broadly be categorised as follows:
Angle capped ridge
Interlocking cap detail reducing exposed mortar.
Angled ridge
Simple angular profile for versatile use.
Clay ridge
Traditional fired clay in multiple forms.
Concrete ridge
Modern alternative, often used with interlocking tiles.
Decorative ridge
Ornamental apex detailing for more characterful roofs.
Flat top ridge
Clean, simple apex detail with a traditional profile.
Half round ridge
Semi-circular profile well suited to profiled tiles.
Roll top ridge
A decorative Victorian-style feature often used with slate roofs.
Stone ridge
Hand-carved stone ridge for traditional and historic buildings.
Baby ridge
Small-format ridge for bays and smaller roof areas.
Block end ridge
Finished end detail eliminating exposed mortar at terminations.
Matching Ridge Tiles to Roof Coverings
While there are no absolute rules, traditional roofing practice provides clear guidance on appropriate combinations. The correct ridge tile is typically selected based on roof covering type, pitch, exposure and architectural character.
As a general principle:
- Slate roofs – commonly paired with blue/black clay ridges such as angle capped or roll top.
- Plain tile roofs – typically use natural red angled or half round ridges.
- Pantiles and profiled tiles – best suited to half round ridge tiles due to their coverage and profile.
- Stone slate roofs – traditionally finished with stone ridge to maintain material consistency.
Colour selection is equally important, ensuring visual harmony across the roofscape while respecting the building’s original character.
Technical Considerations
When using reclaimed ridge tiles, it is important to consider current installation standards. While traditional mortar bedding remains common on heritage projects, modern requirements such as BS 5534 may necessitate mechanical fixing or dry ridge systems, particularly on exposed sites.
Reclaimed materials can be successfully integrated into compliant systems, provided detailing is carefully considered and installation is carried out by competent professionals.
Why Choose Reclaimed Ridge Tiles?
Authenticity
Essential for heritage repairs, conservation work and visually accurate restoration.
Material Quality
Older clay products are often denser, harder fired and visually richer than many modern alternatives.
Sustainability
Reusing roof materials reduces waste and lowers the environmental impact of repair projects.
Visual Character
Natural ageing and weathering create a finish that new ridge tiles rarely replicate convincingly.
Availability & Sourcing
At The Reclaimed Company, we stock a wide and constantly changing range of salvaged ridge tiles, available for collection or nationwide delivery.
If you cannot find the exact match online, we recommend contacting our team directly. Many items are held in yard stock and not yet listed, or can be sourced through our wider network.
Alternatively, explore our:
Ridge Tiles | Video Overview
Many of your reclaimed roofing products are supported by video so customers can see exactly what they are buying. Below is an example video showing Bentley angle capped ridge tiles in more detail.
Prefer to watch on YouTube? View it here: Bentley Angle Capped Ridge Video
Conclusion
Ridge tiles are a critical component of any roof, both functionally and visually. Selecting the correct reclaimed ridge tile ensures not only performance at the apex, but also continuity of architectural character across the entire roof covering.
Whether you are repairing a period property or completing a full restoration, reclaimed ridge tiles provide the most authentic and technically appropriate solution.
Need Help Finding the Right Reclaimed Ridge Tiles?
Our stock changes constantly and many reclaimed ridge tiles never make it onto the website before being sold. If you need help matching an existing roof, sourcing a difficult profile, or finding enough ridge to complete a repair or restoration, get in touch with our team.
