Beaumont Street, Oxford — Specialist Leadwork Installation
Silk Leadwork completed a specialist leadwork installation as part of a major refurbishment project on Beaumont Street, Oxford. The works included approximately 50 tonnes of lead across roofing, gutters, dormers, cladding, and architectural detailing, delivered in coordination with the wider construction programme.
Project Overview
Location: Beaumont Street, Oxford
Project Type: Commercial Refurbishment
Client: Main Contractor
Scope: Full Leadwork Installation Package
Lead Codes: Code 6 & Code 7
Project Scale: Approx. 50 tonnes of lead installed
Services Provided: Roofing, Gutters, Cladding, Dormers & Flashings
Status: Completed
The Challenge
The Beaumont Street refurbishment required extensive renewal and installation of leadwork across complex roof structures incorporating slate roofing, dormers, parapets, and architectural features. Existing lead installations had reached the end of their service life and required replacement while maintaining weather protection throughout the construction programme.
The works demanded careful coordination with adjoining trades and precise detailing to ensure compatibility between roofing systems, drainage elements, and masonry interfaces within a constrained city-centre environment.
Scope of Works
Silk Leadwork delivered a comprehensive specialist leadwork package across multiple phases of the Beaumont Street refurbishment, incorporating roofing, drainage systems, cladding, and architectural detailing elements.
Lead Roofing Installations
-
Installation of Code 7 sheet lead roofing
-
Flat and sloping lead roof coverings
-
Wood-cored roll joints formed in direction of falls
-
Waterproof underlay systems
-
Renewal of existing lead roof areas
Box Gutters & Drainage
-
Removal of existing lead gutters
-
Installation of new Code 7 lead box gutters
-
Integration with slate roofing systems
-
Formation of weatherproof drainage junctions
Parapets, Cornices & Cappings
-
Code 6 and Code 7 parapet cappings
-
Welted drip edge detailing
-
Internal parapet linings
-
Cornice lead dressings and weatherings
-
Replacement and renewal of existing cappings
Flashings & Weathering Details
-
Code 6 flashings wedged into masonry chases
-
Stepped chimney flashings
-
Aprons and cover flashings
-
Lime mortar pointing to junctions
-
Lead wedge fixing at specified centres
Dormers & Lead Cladding
-
Strip and replacement of existing dormer leadwork
-
New Code 7 dormer roofs
-
Vertical lead cladding to dormer cheeks
-
Integration with surrounding slate coverings
Specialist Architectural Detailing
-
Leadwork around fall-protection anchors
-
Rooflight perimeter flashings
-
Portico and canopy lead detailing
-
Formation of bespoke rainwater channels
-
Integration with structural and façade elements
Technical Standards
All leadwork installations were carried out in accordance with recognised UK industry standards and best practice, including BS EN 12588 — Rolled lead sheet for building purposes. Installation methods followed accepted detailing principles promoted through the Lead Sheet Training Academy (LSTA), ensuring appropriate allowance for thermal movement, durability, and long-term weather performance.
The Result
The Beaumont Street project delivered a durable and visually consistent lead roofing system integrated across multiple architectural elements.
Key outcomes included:
-
Long-life weatherproof roofing and drainage system
-
Consistent detailing across complex roof geometry
-
Improved building performance and water management
-
Seamless integration with wider refurbishment works
-
Delivery aligned with programme requirements
The project demonstrates Silk Leadwork’s capability in delivering large-scale specialist leadwork installations on technically demanding commercial refurbishments.
Project gallery
Planning a Similar Project?
If you are planning a commercial refurbishment or heritage project requiring specialist leadwork, Silk Leadwork can provide experienced installation and technical expertise from early planning through to completion.