Period Roof Repairs: How to Source & Match Kent Peg Tiles

To us, a roof covered in Kent peg tiles is like magic. That patchwork quilt of history draped over a building, glowing with warm, earthy tones and textures. A Kent peg roof tells the story of the building – and our shared heritage. It’s beautiful, and meaningful.

But when one of those old tiles cracks, slips, or finally stops hanging on, all that charm can quickly turn into a huge pain.

How do you find a replacement for something that was probably made over a century ago?

The recipe for success, as with most things in the world of period roofing, is a little bit more pain on top… in the form of rigorous detective work with a dash of knowing the right people, and a heaping dollop of patience.

But it’s not an impossible quest – and finding the right tiles for period tile roof repairs is well worth taking on for the sake of your property.

The truth about finding matching tiles? They shouldn’t actually match!

A common worry we hear is, “Will new tiles look out of place?”

The brilliant news is, no, they almost certainly won’t – because the perfection of a traditional clay tile roof is all about its imperfection.

All those years ago, each batch of tiles from a local brickworks would have varied slightly in colour and shape, depending on the exact clay used, the temperature of the kiln, and the hands that moulded them.

This means a roof built with mismatched tiles is actually the most authentic look possible. It’s what architects, planners and conservation officers often seek to recreate, because it’s the signature of a genuinely old, handcrafted roof. The cobbled together look of mismatched tiling is what makes the roof look so good in the first place.

The real skill in Kent peg tile roof repairs isn’t about finding a perfect clone – it’s about finding tiles that “speak the same language” as the rest of your roof. The variations in colour and texture just add to the authentic, rich character, and it also gives you a bit more flexibility in your search!

So, where can you get your hands on some “imperfectly perfect” tiles?

Sourcing reclaimed tiles

The gold standard for any period restoration is to use reclaimed tiles. These are tiles that have been salvaged from other old buildings that were being demolished or re-roofed. Reclaimed Kent peg tiles have a genuine patina forged by time, as well as the right weight and feel. You simply can’t get that with a brand new tile, made the modern way.

You can find them at specialist reclamation yards – the treasure troves of the period building restoration world. Suppliers across the South East build up vast stocks of reclaimed materials, not just limited to Kent peg tiles. But it’s all still a balancing act. They won’t always have everything you need in stock, and you might not find an exact fit for your roof.

Kent peg tiles were typically made to a regional size of 10” x 6” – a little smaller than the royal standard of 10.5” x 6.25”. A small act of rebellion that now makes sourcing regional tiling all the more difficult. Other regions had their own variations too, so the right size is your first and most important obstacle to tackle. A good reclamation yard will know this and can guide you. They can also connect you with other suppliers if they don’t have exactly what you need on the day.

The art of new old stock

What if the salvage yards don’t have enough tiles of the right colour or size? This is where artisan tile crafters can help.

The South East is still home to some of the country’s leading handmade tile manufacturers. These companies value traditional skills, passed down through generations, and are still alive and well. They know that a modern tile just won’t cut it for a period property – and they can craft new batches of Kent peg tiles using the same local clays and traditional methods that have been used for centuries.

Wadhurst clay from the Sussex pits can achieve those signature warm reds and oranges, but varies with anything from tan to brown. After being hand-moulded, sand-faced, and batch fired, the clay will never yield two of the same tile. These little details give new old stock tiles that authentic “Olde English” look.

These traditionally made tiles can be moulded to the exact 10” x 6” size, and can even be artificially weathered to help them blend in better with the older tiles on your roof. This option is a lifesaver, especially for larger repairs or when a roof is being re-tiled and needs a lot of matching material.

A good tilemaker will offer a guarantee of quality, which you don’t always get with salvage. It’s the best of both worlds, but naturally comes at a higher cost than reclaimed tiles.

Tying it all together – with a period roof repair specialist

Sourcing the right tiles is a huge part of the puzzle, but it’s only half the story. The expertise of the roofer you choose is just as important.

A specialist period roofer who knows the quirks of Kent peg tiles will know whether to use traditional wooden pegs (usually made from durable oak or chestnut), which are historically correct for a like-for-like restoration, or if modern but invisible stainless steel fixings are a better choice. They will know how to properly cut and fit the tiles, and how to install a discreet but effective breathable membrane if moisture is a problem – all while preserving the authentic look of your roof.

If you need a period roofer with a proven track record on period properties in Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex or Surrey, talk to Tenterden Roofing.