Aylesford Nib Tiles are a distinctive traditional clay roofing tile associated with the Aylesford area of Kent. Their name comes from the combination of their local association and the characteristic nib fixing on the back of the tile, which allows the tiles to be hung from the roof battens.
Produced from a relatively soft clay, Aylesford Nibs are noticeably lighter than many conventional machine-made clay tiles. At approximately 10 × 6 inches, they are also considerably smaller than many later machine-made roofing tiles. This lightweight construction made them particularly useful where the roof structure required a lighter covering.
The Aylesford area has a long association with the production and use of clay building materials, benefiting from the clay resources found across the wider Kent and Medway area. The Aylesford Nib became one of the more unusual local roofing tile types and was used on buildings throughout the region.
Today, genuine reclaimed Aylesford Nib Tiles are increasingly sought after for period property restoration, extensions and traditional roofing projects. Their small dimensions, lightweight construction and naturally weathered clay finish make them particularly useful where an authentic local roofing material is required.
As with many reclaimed roofing tiles, individual examples can show variations in colour, texture and weathering as a result of their original manufacture and decades of exposure.
Price: 80p each plus VAT