Older brick and render flats

Flat and pitched roofs, gutters, and chimneys

1920s – 1930s flats had roofs like those on older tenements. Tiling is more common than slate.

External brick, block, and render walls

Early types have solid brick walls, but cavity walls started to be used. Block walls were often rendered.

Non-traditional wall types

It may be hard to detect your building type since many of these buildings have now been overclad.

Estate landscaping

It looks like public space, but some owners have to pay to maintain these areas.

Windows

Poor repairs can affect the floor joists (part of the structure) and lead to noise problems.

Balconies

May be a cause of cold and damp, especially if the rest of the building has been overclad.

Drainage and drainpipes

Cracked, blocked, and leaking drainpipes saturate walls leading to cold, damp, and rot.

Services

Gas, water, electricity and communal aerials – when do they become your responsibility?

Render and harling

Renders of various kinds are applied to walls to help protect them from the weather.

Flat and pitched roofs, gutters, and chimneys

1920s – 1930s flats had roofs like those on older tenements. Tiling is more common than slate.

External brick, block, and render walls

Early types have solid brick walls, but cavity walls started to be used. Block walls were often rendered.

Non-traditional wall types

It may be hard to detect your building type since many of these buildings have now been overclad.

Estate landscaping

It looks like public space, but some owners have to pay to maintain these areas.

Windows

Poor repairs can affect the floor joists (part of the structure) and lead to noise problems.

Balconies

May be a cause of cold and damp, especially if the rest of the building has been overclad.

Drainage and drainpipes

Cracked, blocked, and leaking drainpipes saturate walls leading to cold, damp, and rot.

Services

Gas, water, electricity and communal aerials – when do they become your responsibility?

Render and harling

Renders of various kinds are applied to walls to help protect them from the weather.

Explore all our older brick and render flats articles

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Stone in Scotland: Past, Present and Future, A Seminar with Historic Environment Scotland

The first short talk of the day was delivered by architect Ingvar Maxwell, who explored the history of stone in Scottish buildings from the prehistoric age until the 20th century. He explained how…

1729 1257 Under One Roof

Buying and selling flats with cladding

Mortgage lenders now require that those buying flats with cladding to provide…

406 305 Under One Roof

Below ground level

Your tenement may have a basement, sometimes used for living accommodation or…

905 800 Under One Roof

Guide to energy efficiency improvements

Insulation, draught-proofing and improved glazing can save money, improve comfort and reduce…

2560 1707 Under One Roof

Insulating traditional solid walls

Recent research suggests that traditional solid stone or brick walls provide better…

2560 1707 Under One Roof

Attendance to Navigating tenement building repairs with East Lothian Council Event on 5th September

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5th September - Navigating tenement building repairs
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Attendance to Preserving our tenements with East Lothian Council and Dunbar CARS on 12th September

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12th September - Preserving our tenements
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