Flat roofs
Flat Roofing in York
New flat roofs for garages, extensions, dormers and porches in EPDM rubber, GRP fibreglass or felt. A single garage from £949.
Prices exclude VAT · fixed written price after a free survey
Flat roof systems compared
- EPDM rubber – a single sheet of synthetic rubber, often with no joints on a small roof, flexible and well suited to garages and extensions.
- GRP fibreglass – a hard, seamless resin and glass-fibre finish, good where the roof gets foot traffic or has awkward details.
- Felt – modern torch-on or cold-applied felt systems remain a cost-effective option on some roofs.
The right choice depends on the roof size and shape, how it will be used, what it joins on to and your budget. We will explain the options during the survey rather than pushing one system for every job.
The deck and the falls matter most
Most flat roof failures come from what is underneath. A deck of chipboard or old boards that has got wet will be soft and will not hold a new membrane properly, and a roof without enough fall will hold puddles that shorten its life. When we strip an old flat roof, we check the deck and replace any rotten boards, and we make sure water runs to a gutter or outlet rather than sitting on the surface. If the deck needs more work than the standard allowance, we show you and price it first.
Edges, upstands and gutters
Where a flat roof meets a wall, an upstand and flashing keep water out; at the edges, trims and a gutter take water away. These details are where leaks often start, so we pay particular attention to them. If the gutter on the flat roof edge is undersized or poorly placed, we can replace it at the same time; see guttering.
Insulation and building regulations
If you are replacing more than a certain proportion of a flat roof on a heated room, such as an extension, building regulations may require the roof to be insulated to current standards. Garages that are not heated are usually treated differently. We will flag this at the survey so it can be priced in, and so you can check with building control where needed.
Prices
A single garage roof in EPDM starts from £949. Larger roofs are priced per square metre after survey. See the price list.
Looking after a flat roof
Flat roofs last longest when water drains off them quickly. Keep outlets and gutters clear of leaves and moss, do not let puddles sit for long after rain, and avoid walking on the roof unless it is designed for foot traffic. A quick look once or twice a year, especially at the edges and where the roof meets a wall, can catch small problems before they become leaks.
Questions about flat roofing
How long does an EPDM flat roof last?
A well-installed EPDM roof on a sound deck is designed to last many years. Lifespan depends on the product, the installation and how the roof is used.
Can you replace my garage roof in a day?
Many single garage roofs can be done in a day or two, depending on the deck and the weather.
Is GRP or EPDM better?
Both are good systems. EPDM is flexible and quick on simple roofs; GRP is hard-wearing and suits roofs with foot traffic or complex details.
Do flat roofs need planning permission?
Replacing a flat roof covering like-for-like does not usually need planning permission. Building regulations can apply to roofs over heated rooms.
Can you fix a leaking flat roof instead of replacing it?
Sometimes. If the leak is local and the rest of the roof is sound, a repair can make sense. We will tell you honestly.