Satellite Dishes
An increasing number of West End residents are acquiring satellite TV dishes. The older white dishes, however, look out of place on Victorian buildings. The new black mesh dish is more costly, but far less obtrusive. Also, its higher technical specification is better suited for our marginal satellite reception and is less affected by heavy rainfall.
Select the least noticeable location for your dish, such as the rear slope of your roof, a rear chimney or the back wall of the building. If you live in a subdivided house or tenement, see if your neighbours are interested in erecting a communal dish. It will be cheaper to install and maintain and is a neater and less conspicuous way of serving several flats.
The City Council will not grant Planning Permission for a dish attached to the front wall of any building inside the Conservation Area.
Guttering and Downpipes
Rainwater must be disposed of if a building is to stay dry and rot-free. Sturdy and well-maintained gutters and downpipes are essential for every building. On elevations facing the street, replacement gutters and downpipes should be either cast iron (matching the original in style, fixings and colour), or possibly cast aluminium. Gutters and downpipes in their original locations should be painted black; pipework which has been added to the building should be "painted out" to match the colour of the stonework.
Cast iron, though expensive, is the most attractive material for pipework as well as the most economical in the long term. PVC materials, although cheaper than cast iron, begin to look shabby after a few years and do not have the proven durability for which well-maintained cast iron is renowned. PVC rainwater goods are very brittle and are easily damaged.
Chimneys
Chimney stacks and pots are essential features of the character to the Conservation Area, are inherently practical, and should always be retained. You may not want an open fire, but before having your chimney dismantled, consider these points:
Damp penetration from a chimney usually can be solved with simple maintenance (repointing, renewing flashings) which costs far less than demolition. Reducing the chimney's height is unwise because it impairs the stack's performance as well as detracting from the building's appearance.
If a front or side chimney is still used, keep its original height and repair it. If a rear chimney is truly redundant, remove the whole stack and slate over the spot.
If stone stacks have to be repaired or replaced, treat them as you would the masonry of your walls. Brick is not advised for rebuilding as it looks out of keeping on a stone building. Rendered stacks may look tidy at first, but exposure to the elements will eventually cause cracking and spalling.
Traditional terra cotta chimney pots are a valuable commodity and should always be retained or replaced in kind. Second-hand pots are usually available, and new pots in many traditional designs are now readily available from various manufacturers at reasonable prices.
Slates v. Tiles
Most roofs in the West End are still clad in traditional grey West Highland slates and these should always be retained. Modern concrete tiles should be avoided as they are inappropriate for Victorian buildings. Remember that:
A good slater can re-use most of the existing slates on your roof and second-hand slates are generally available. If the cost of complete re-slating is difficult to meet, consider re-using your own slates on the front roof and the smallest, flattest, most "slate-like" artificial tiles on the rear. Remember that your slates are a valuable commodity; ask your contractor for a rebate for any slates he salvages.
If you are undertaking any work to your roof, always ensure that any decorative features (such as cast iron cresting or finials of iron, lead, stone or terra cotta) are retained, repaired and secured. These embellishments add character to the building.
TV Aerials and Wiring
Avoid letting your building become cluttered with too many TV aerials and wires. In a tenement or subdivided house, it makes good sense to get together with your neighbours to install one communal aerial:
Always ensure that any redundant wires or aerials are removed from the roof or stonework, and ensure that loose wires on the roof are secured to avoid damage to the slates during high winds. Multiple wires running down the building walls should be bundled together and tacked to the masonry.
Neglect and improper alterations can blight a roof and chimney.
Dormer Windows/Rooflights Planning Permission is always required for dormers, whether to the front or rear. Some properties in the West End have original front dormers and the Council will look favourably on proposed replacements if the design and materials match the original.
Many dormers which have been added over the years look out of place, particularly on terraced houses where they can disrupt the smooth roofline and spoil the building's proportions. Consent for new front dormers is unlikely to be granted. Rear dormers are acceptable, provided they:
Rooflights can be a good alternative to dormers as they can provide a similar amount of light, are cheaper to install and maintain, and may not require Planning Permission, but be sure to get advice from the City Council, especially if your building is listed (see Planning Controls for more information on development restrictions.)
For a list of contact numbers and addresses for Glasgow City Council, see Statutory Bodies and Other Organisations.
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