Who makes roof finials?

[Bouledogue]

I'm not looking for a specific supplier as I am in France, but more wondering what sort of tradesman to approach about making some custom roof finials.

This thing blew off the roof recently. The ball is about 12" in diameter. Prima facie, they appear to be copper or brass, but I haven't cleaned back to see whether that is true.

There's a few others looking worse for wear that will also need replacing at some point.

PS they all have holes from both shotgun and .22lr impacts. Please ignore that fact...

PPS I don't want to make them myself as sheet metalwork makes me sad.

All advice welcome.

 

[gaz1]

thats copper there easy enough to make

K

Thread 'copper roof - opinions?'

Aug 1, 2025

bay window on the front room, it has a lead roof fits with the rest of the house ok

but... at some point we'd like to change it, inside the room it's not full high, there's a decent step down in ceiling height going into it.


I remember watching a tv program about copper sheet roofs years ago, a sheet of copper with a profile bent into the edge so it fits in with the next sheet, slide a tool along and it crimps them together

I remember really liking how it looked, once it got old and green I think it would fit in with our older house quite well


anyone have any experience with them...

• knighty
• Replies: 28
• forum: Projects

 

[More Amps]

It appears you need to be seeking a "fileuse en métal" (a metal spinner). Should be a quick and easy job for someone who knows what they're doing - and has the right equipment. Or have a nosey down your local plumbers merchant...

 

[Bouledogue]

It appears you need to be seeking a "fileuse en métal" (a metal spinner). Should be a quick and easy job for someone who knows what they're doing - and has the right equipment. Or have a nosey down your local plumbers merchant...

Thank you. I have also come across the profession of "dinandier", but I am not sure whether they only do posh stuff...rather than what is essentially just a big ball on a stick...!

My dad used to spin copper at home with a homemade attachment on his lathe (similar to the link provided by @gaz1 ), but I am not interested in doing it myself. The artistic side of metalwork is not my forte: I am rather dull, preferring straight lines and uncompromising metrology.

 

[dobbslc]

Are you Dick Strawbridge?

 

[Cobbler]

View attachment 538535

Are you Dick Strawbridge?

Has he got the newspaper tucked under his arm, ask for your fiver

 

[Bouledogue]

View attachment 538535

Are you Dick Strawbridge?

Just a farmer with too many roofs.