Heritage Roof Renewal Hampton Court | The Orangery at Garrick’s Villa
Project Overview
Maguire Brothers was appointed to carry out a heritage roof renewal at The Orangery, part of Garrick’s Villa in Hampton Court. The Grade II listed building needed repairs to its pitched and adjoining flat roofs that would address their condition while respecting the historic fabric.
The Challenge
The works brought several connected issues together within one historic roof: asbestos-containing cement slates, deteriorated roof timbers, vulnerable junctions between pitched and flat areas, and the need to improve fire separation within the loft. Each element had to be planned alongside the others to avoid unnecessary disturbance to the building.
The Solution
The existing pitched roof coverings were stripped and the asbestos-containing cement slates removed under specialist controlled conditions. The roof structure was then repaired and renewed as required — including works to rafters, counter battens, box gutter timbers, and other structural elements — providing a sound and lasting base for the new roof coverings.
The adjoining flat roof and box gutter areas were comprehensively refurbished, with structural timber repairs, insulation upgrades, and the installation of a new high-performance waterproofing system. Particular attention was given to the interfaces between the pitched roofs, flat roofs, box gutters, parapets, and abutments — the junctions where historic roofs most often fail — to provide effective, long-term weather protection.
As part of the wider refurbishment, new fire compartment walls were constructed within the loft space to improve fire separation and bring the building in line with current Building Regulations, with appropriate fire-rated access and detailing incorporated to maintain the integrity of the new compartmentation. Chimney repointing, parapet repairs, loft insulation upgrades, and a range of localised structural and weathering improvements completed the scope.
Throughout, we worked closely with the client and project team to coordinate specialist contractors and maintain progress, while minimising disturbance to the historic building fabric at every stage.
The Outcome
The completed heritage roof renewal delivered a comprehensive overhaul of The Orangery’s roof envelope — resolving structural repairs, removing asbestos-containing materials, improving fire compartmentation, and upgrading insulation and waterproofing throughout. The result is a Grade II listed building with a sound, weathertight, and compliant roof structure that respects and preserves its 18th-century character.
It’s a project that demonstrates exactly what heritage refurbishment demands: specialist roofing expertise, careful coordination across multiple trades, and complete respect for a building of genuine historical importance.
Contact us today
Planning heritage roofing works in Hampton Court or elsewhere in London and the South East? Get in touch with Maguire Brothers to discuss your project.