If an ecologist has identified bat roosts on your property, you're legally required to maintain bat access during any building or renovation work. Disturbing or blocking a bat roost is a criminal offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 — carrying an unlimited fine or up to six months imprisonment.
A bat access slate solves this by replacing one or more of your existing roof slates with a specially designed tile that allows bats to reach their roost undisturbed. If you want the finished slate to match your existing roof exactly, the best option is to make your own using one of our DIY Bat Access Tile Kits — cutting and bonding the components to your own slate for a perfect colour match.
This guide walks you through the full process from start to finish.
What is a Bat Access Slate?
A Bat Access Slate provides an access point in your property for bats to reach their roosts in the roof space or batten. Carefully designed to blend into your roof slate, a bat access slate is a roof tile that contains components that allow bats to access their roost in the roof space of a property.
When building and renovation projects are proposed on older properties, you will often find existing bat roosts. And these older properties often have a slate roof.
So because it’s against the law to move, disturb, or damage a bat roost (you could be fined or imprisoned for up to 6 months), you will need to replace some roof slates with bat access slates.
Why do you need a Bat Access Slate?
Bat access slates provide easy access for bats to their roosting spots. The most common place in a property is the roof or attic as it is dry and thermally stable. All 18 bat species in the UK are protected species by law.
So if you're doing building work with bats present, you need to create bat access points and preserve the bat roost.
What kind of roofs can fit Bat Access Tiles?
One of the main benefits of using a bat access tile is that it maintains the aesthetic of your roof with its discreet look. From our experience, as bat access tiles are most commonly used on older roofs during renovations, they are usually lead or slate roofs.
For lead roofs, you can make a bat access tile using the lead, however, this is usually best when working with a plain tile roof. On the other hand, if you have got a slate roof, at Beddoes Products we have designed a complete Bat Access Tile and a DIY Bat Access Tile Kit that are easy to install and blend into your existing slate roof.
Should I Buy a Bat Access Tile or a Bat Access Slate DIY Kit?
At Beddoes Products, we have both premade Bat Access Slates and DIY Bat Access Kits so that you can make your own.
The premade bat access tiles are designed to fit like any other slate roof tile and are straightforward to install when renovating or constructing a roof. They are available in the 2 most popular slate tile sizes of 600 x 300mm and 500 x 250mm, and as standard are finished in a grey Spanish slate colour.
If you are looking for a bat access slate that matches the exact colour of the slate of your roof then you may want to consider our DIY bat access slate kits.
These kits come with everything you need to create a bat access slate with your slate to get an exact colour match. Below is a full guide on how to use our DIY kits to make a matching tile vent access for bats in your roof.
How to Make Your Own Bat Access Slate
If you want your bat access slate to match your existing slates, you can combine your slate with one of our DIY Bat Access Tile Kits from Beddoes Products.
Below is a list of products you'll need for this project:
- Bat Access Tile Kit [opens in new window]
- Your own slate
- CT1 adhesive
- Grinder with slate cutting disk
- Protective equipment (mask, eye protection, gloves)
Cutting and Assembly Instructions
Use the template provided to mark the cutting point for the hole. This is where the bat cowl will fit into the slate.
Make sure you're wearing protective equipment and get your grinder with cutting disk ready.
Taking your time, cut the square hole in your slate using the grinder. Blow or brush off any dust that has collected on the tile so the glue will stick properly.
Place the slate over the bat access component to check that the hole lines up with the bat cowl.
Run your CT1 adhesive down each side of the bat access component, making sure it is within the width of the slate you are using. There are lines on the under-base to represent both the width of a 20 x 10 inch slate and 24 x 12 inch slate.
Carefully place the slate onto the component, lining it up straight with the bottom.
Squeeze around the areas where the glue sits to make sure it has a good contact.
Clamp the slate in place and leave the finished product overnight so the glue can completely set.
Then it's time to install the product on your roof.
Fitting Instructions
Download Bat Access Slate fitting instructions (PDF)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need planning permission to install a bat access slate? In most cases, replacing individual roof slates — including fitting bat access slates — falls under permitted development and does not require planning permission. However, if your property is listed or sits within a conservation area, you should check with your local planning authority before carrying out any roof work.
How do I know if I have bats in my roof? The most common signs are bat droppings (small, dark, and crumbly) around the eaves or on windowsills, squeaking or scratching sounds at dusk, and bats seen entering or leaving the roofline at dusk. If you're planning building work, a qualified ecologist can carry out a bat survey to confirm whether roosts are present.
What happens if I block a bat roost? Blocking or disturbing a bat roost — even unintentionally — is a criminal offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Penalties include an unlimited fine and up to six months imprisonment. If bats are present on your property, you must maintain access points throughout any renovation or construction work.
Do I need an ecologist to install a bat access slate? Not necessarily. If an ecologist has already surveyed your property and specified bat access points, you can install the bat access slate yourself or through your roofer using our DIY kit or ready-made slate. However, if you haven't had a survey and suspect bats may be present, it's worth getting one carried out before starting work.
What size bat access slate do I need? Our ready-made Bat Access Slate is available in the two most common slate sizes — 600 x 300mm and 500 x 250mm. If you're using the DIY kit, it's compatible with both sizes. If you're unsure which fits your roof, check the dimensions of your existing slates or contact us and we'll help.
How many bat access slates do I need? This is typically specified by your ecologist as part of their survey report. The number required depends on the size of the roost and the species present. If you don't have an ecologist's report, one access point per known roost entry is a reasonable starting point.
Ready to Get Started?
Everything you need is available directly from Beddoes Products, manufactured in the UK and delivered free to your door.
- DIY Bat Access Tile Kit — £69.99 — Convert your own slate for an exact colour match
- Ready-Made Bat Access Slate — £89.99 — Pre-assembled and ready to fit straight onto your roof
Not sure which is right for your project? Get in touch and we'll point you in the right direction.