Bay Roof

[Bazile]

Is a lead and timber bay roof for upstairs front bedroom , ok .?

Is lead still being used nowadays ?

[Atheist]

I believe that lead is widely used for flashing and roof coverings. It shouldn't be used for soldering pipework for drinking water. Someone else here is probably a bit more up to date on this sort of stuff.

[The Builder]

Still used all the time, Baz.
Also alternatives..... zinc; fibreglass; aluminium; EPDM (rubber); torched built-up felt etc etc

Lead is still preferable for bay windows. Its substantial weight means that it just lies there. If it's fixed properly, it takes a very strong wind to shift it.
Also, it looks good in a traditional way. It's definitely very long-lasting as well.
I'm talking about pitched roofs here. For "flat" roofs, any of the alternatives would look as good.

Lead can oxidise easily. It's vital to finish it with a rubbed-in coat of "patination oil" to stop this. Untreated lead eventually can look awful. Blotchy with patches of oxide.

[Bazile]

Its a flat bay roof

So you wouldn't use lead , TB ?

[Peter Pedant]

Yeah I have lead on my doo-dah ( porch )
Notre Dames ( paree that is) lasted erm 1100 years innit?

wouldnt dream of changing mine

[The Builder]

No, I'm definitely not saying that, Baz. Just that the alternatives (my opinion only) don't look as good on a traditional pitched roof unless they're very well designed.

Lead on a flat porch/bay roof for sure. It would be my preference.
To be long-lasting, it should be a decent thickness.
Lead thickness is measured in "Codes."

Code 3 is for cheapskates. Best avoided.
Code 4 at the least. Code 5 for an even more pukka job.
Professor P Pedant might like to know that it's common for churches to use code 7. In fact, The National Trust for example specifies it.

[Bazile]

Thanks TB