Why choose dry ridge over mortar?

It lasts longer, won't crack in cold weather, won't lift in high winds, and ventilates the roof. Modern new-builds use it as standard for these reasons.

How long does a dry ridge install take?

Most standard houses are completed in a day. Larger or more complex roofs one to two days.

Will my existing ridge tiles be reused?

Where they're sound, yes - we save you the cost. Cracked or damaged tiles are replaced with matching ones.

Is dry ridge guaranteed?

Yes - the system carries a manufacturer warranty, plus our written workmanship guarantee on the install.

Will it stop my leaks at the ridge?

If the leaks are caused by failed mortar or lifted ridge tiles, yes - dry ridge cures the cause rather than patching it.

Will a dry ridge look different from the street?

Barely. You keep the same ridge tiles and profile; the only visible difference is a thin ventilated strip at the tile edge instead of a band of mortar.

Is it required on a new roof?

Current British Standard practice for new and replacement roofs is mechanical fixing of ridge and verge, so yes - every full re-roof we do includes it as standard.

Does the ventilation make my loft colder?

No. It ventilates the air above the insulation, which is exactly where the moisture that causes condensation and rotten timbers sits.

DRY RIDGE SYSTEM INSTALLATION

Mechanical dry ridge replacing traditional mortar - long lasting, ventilated and maintenance free.

Dry Ridge

About This Service

Traditional mortar-bedded ridges fail. They crack, crumble, lift in high winds and need repointing every 10 to 15 years. A modern dry ridge system fixes the problem permanently.

Dry ridge replaces the mortar with mechanical clamps and weatherproof unions that fix ridge tiles directly to the roof timbers. The result is a stronger, longer-lasting ridge that also ventilates the roof space underneath.

We install dry ridge to current British Standards across the full North East, backed by a manufacturer warranty on the system plus our written workmanship guarantee.

BOOK FREE INSPECTION 0191 637 5999

What's Included

EVERY JOB COVERS

Removal of existing mortar ridge bedding
Strip and inspection of every ridge tile
New dry ridge battens and brackets installed
Mechanical fixings into roof timbers
Weatherproof union strip between every tile
Reuse of existing tiles where sound, new where cracked
Improved roof ventilation built in as standard
Full clean-down and waste removal
Manufacturer warranty on the dry ridge system
Our written workmanship guarantee on top

How We Work

THREE STEPS. NO SURPRISES.

INSPECT & QUOTE

Free roof inspection, fixed written quote covering the full dry ridge install - no surprise costs.

STRIP & PREPARE

Existing mortar removed cleanly, every ridge tile inspected, new battens fitted ready for mechanical fixing.

INSTALL & SEAL

Dry ridge units clamped down, union strips sealed between tiles, final walk-round before sign-off.

Why Choose Us

WHY HOMEOWNERS PICK A CLASS

BUILT TO BS 5534

Installed to the British Standard for mechanical roof fixings - the same spec used on new-builds.

NO MORE REPOINTING

No mortar to crack or fail. Once it's done, you're not paying for repointing every decade.

BETTER VENTILATION

Dry ridge ventilates the roof space, reducing condensation and protecting timbers.

Warning Signs

SIGNS YOU NEED THIS

Spotted any of these? Book a free inspection - better to know now than after the next storm.

Mortar-bedded ridges cracked or crumbling

Ridge tiles lifted or moved in high winds

Repeated repointing that keeps failing

Condensation or damp in the loft

Old roof being re-covered and needing a permanent ridge solution

Insurance request for a compliant ridge fixing

The Job Itself

WHAT THE WORK ACTUALLY INVOLVES

01
Strip the old ridge
Existing ridge tiles are lifted and the old bedding mortar chipped off the tile edges beneath. Sound ridge tiles are reused where you want to keep the original look; cracked ones are replaced to match.
02
Fit the ridge roll and batten
A ventilated ridge roll is dressed over the apex and down onto the top course either side. It seals against wind-driven rain and insects while still letting the loft breathe - a mortared ridge does neither.
03
Mechanically fix every tile
Each ridge tile is screwed through a unifix clip into the ridge batten. Nothing relies on adhesion, so nothing fails when the mortar would have shrunk. Union pieces and end caps finish the run.
04
Check the whole apex line
While we are up there we check the top course of tiles, the hip ends and the abutments, because a failed ridge has usually let water sit somewhere it should not have.

Honest Pricing

WHAT IT'S LIKELY TO COST

Dry ridge is priced by linear metre and complexity of the roof. Most semi-detached and terraced houses fall within a clear price band; bungalows are cheaper, large detached and unusual rooflines cost more. Every quote is a fixed written price including disposal of the old mortar.

A standard semi with roughly 8 to 10 metres of ridge is typically £550 to £950. Adding hips or a longer detached run usually brings it to £1,000 to £1,800.

WHAT MOVES THE PRICE

Metres of ridge and whether hips are converted at the same time
Whether existing ridge tiles can be reused or new ones must be sourced to match
System choice - Manthorpe, Klober and Marley kits vary in price and appearance
Access and roof pitch; steep and three-storey roofs need more equipment
Whether the top course of tiles has also been disturbed and needs re-fixing

NOT INCLUDED

Full re-roofing or battening below the top course
Chimney and abutment flashing work
Verge conversion, which is priced as dry verge
Scaffold where the pitch or height requires it

GET A FIXED-PRICE QUOTE 0191 637 5999

Timescales

HOW LONG IT TAKES - AND IF THE WEATHER TURNS

Most dry ridge conversions are a single day.
Ridge plus both hips is usually one and a half to two days.
Dry ridge has a real advantage here: because nothing needs to cure, we can fit it in cold weather that would stop repointing. We still stop for high winds - handling ridge tiles at the apex in a gale is not sensible.

FAQ