Hipped and valley roofs
Complex shapes with sloped ends or intersecting pitches. Set out on site so every rafter and valley meets cleanly.
Bristol cut roofs
A carpenter's roof, not a truss.
A trussed rafter roof is prefabricated, cheap, and quick. It works fine on a modern estate but it fills your loft with a web of timber that can’t be converted later. A cut roof is different. Every rafter, purlin and ridge is measured, cut and fixed on site by our team. Ollie is a second-generation roofer with a carpentry background, and every cut roof we build is set out by hand.
Cut roofs suit the Victorian and Edwardian terraces you see across St George, Easton, Bedminster, Bishopston, Redland and Clifton. They handle complex shapes (hips, valleys, dormers) that trussed rafters cannot. And they leave usable space in the loft, whether you want to convert it now or in ten years’ time.
Common cut roof jobs in Bristol.
Every cut roof is one of a kind. These are the shapes we build most often.
Loft-ready structures
Built to leave clear headroom and floor space in the loft, so a future conversion is straightforward rather than a rebuild.
Dormers and extensions
New dormer construction, hip-to-gable conversions, and roof structures for rear extensions or loft conversions.
Why a cut roof is worth it.
Trussed rafters are cheaper for a reason. If you plan to stay in your home, or convert the loft in future, cut is usually the better call.
- Usable loft space, not a web of prefabricated timber.
- Suits period Bristol homes and conservation areas.
- Handles hips, valleys, dormers and irregular shapes.
- Individual rafters can be replaced without stripping the whole roof.
- Long lifespan when properly built and ventilated.
- Scaffolding organised, and the site left tidy every day.
What our team brings to a cut roof.
A cut roof lives or dies on the carpentry. This is the experience we bring to yours.
- Ollie is second-generation with a carpentry background.
- Over 40 years of combined team experience.
- We work with structural steel where a longer span needs it.
- Dormer construction handled end to end by the same crew.
- Experience with Bristol conservation areas and period stock.
- Written, itemised quote before any work starts.
Recent cut roofs across Bristol.
Bristol cut roof questions, answered.
What's the difference between a cut roof and trussed rafters?
A cut roof is built on site from individual lengths of timber, cut and joined by hand. Trussed rafters are made in a factory and delivered as pre-assembled triangles. Trusses are quicker to fit and cheaper, but they fill the loft. A cut roof leaves you with a usable space.
Can I still convert my loft if I have trussed rafters?
Yes, but it's harder. The trusses have to be structurally replaced or reinforced, which adds cost. If your existing roof is a cut roof, a conversion is much more straightforward.
Are cut roofs more expensive than trussed rafters?
The labour cost is higher because more of the work happens on your roof rather than in a factory. On the other hand, materials are often similar and the finished result is more flexible. For anyone who might convert the loft later, or for period properties where trusses look wrong, cut is normally the better value over time.
Do Bristol conservation areas prefer cut roofs?
Cut roofs are a better visual and structural fit for the Victorian and Edwardian stock in Clifton, Cotham, Redland and elsewhere. If planning conditions apply to your property, we work to whatever the local authority specifies.
How long does a cut roof take to build?
For a typical Bristol terrace, a full re-roof with a new cut structure usually takes one to two weeks on site, weather depending. Larger properties or complex shapes take longer. We give you a clear timeline in the quote.
Do you offer a guarantee?
Yes. As Confederation of Roofing Contractors members (No. 8523), we can offer a 10-year Insurance-Backed Guarantee on all new roofing work. It covers the full contract value and stays valid even in the unlikely event we're no longer trading, and it transfers if you sell the house. Ask for it to be added to your quote.
Planning a new roof or a loft conversion?
Tell us about your property and we'll come out for a look. Written quote within a few days, no obligation.