Roof Replacement

Things you need to consider when replacing your roof and what to ask your local roofer...

Roofs are very durable and can last a long time, but they don't last forever and at some point your roof will need replacing. At this point you'll need to contact your local roofer to come and look at your roof and provide a quote.

This article will talk you through all the different types of roofs and your replacement options.

Garage roof replacement

When you're storing your car or belongings in your garage, you'll want to ensure the roof is watertight and stays dry to protect your garage contents. If your garage roof is leaking or has damp issues you'll want to contact a local roofing professional to come and assess the roof.

There are different types of roofing materials that can be used for your garage roof and the cost of replacing your garage roof will depend on what roofing materials you choose and what type of roof is above your garage i.e. is it a flat or pitched roof. The cheapest option is felt but other popular roofs include EPDM rubber and GRP fibreglass.

A garage roof replacement in the UK will cost between £750 (for felt) and £3,600.

A professional roofer, like AMH Roofing in Stourbridge will remove old felt and ensure that the timber structure is in good condition. If the wood is rotten, it will need replacing before re-felting or replacing the roof.

The lifespan of a garage roof can be anywhere between 10 and 50 years depending on the materials used, quality of the build and if the roof has been well maintained. Damp patches on the inside of the garage or cracking or brittle felt can all be signs that your roof needs replacing. It's best to get a roofing professional like AMH Roofing in Stourbridge to come and take a look for you to get expert advice.

Flat roof replacement

On average a flat roof will need replacing every 15-20 years. Thankfully the replacement process is straightforward and shouldn't leave you too out of pocket.

Signs that your flat roof needs replacing includes leakages, flooding, pooling or sagging, punctures or splitting. If you are having any of these signs then get your local roofer out to assess the roof and they can let you know if it needs repairing or replacing.

There are different types of roof materials available for your flat roof which includes EPDM Rubber, GRP Fibreglass, Self-Adhesive Felt and Torch on Felt.

EPDM Rubber is a popular roofing choice that should last for up to 20 years and it offers great environmental benefits as its 100% recycled and with the right installation, offers good insulation, retaining heat in the winter and reflecting heat in the summer.

GRP fibreglass roofs are known to last up to 25 years with fantastic durability and long-lasting resistance to weathering. During its lifespan, GRP is easy to maintain, requiring only easy repairs and cleaning when needed.

Self Adhesive Felt is a good budget option as it can be laid easily without the need of a torch. It is the ideal roofing material for smaller scale projects such as domestic flat roofs, garages, sheds, outbuildings and porch canopies and should last about 15 years.

Torch on felt is very durable and reliable and ensures optimum resistance against harsh weather conditions including UV rays, heavy rain and strong winds. The mineral finish helps to break up sunlight, preventing the bitumen from melting and maintaining cool temperatures within the building all through the summer.

Your local roofing professional will work with you to choose the best roof materials for your roof.

Pitched roof replacement

At some stage, a pitched roof is going to need more than minor roof repairs. A well constructed roof should last as long as 50 years, but once a couple of lead valleys have gone, a few ridge tiles have cracked or tiles/slates have slipped and there's leaks or condensation in the roof, it could well be time for a roof replacement.

There's a lot of work involved in replacing a pitched roof from scaffolding and skip hire to removing materials, installing insulation and much more. Your roofer will be able to talk you through the full process, assess how long it will take for the size of your property and provide a full quotation. You may also require some additional roof work doing such as replacing rotten fascias, soffits and bargeboards, painting fascias, soffits and bargeboards (using the scaffolding for access) and replacing guttering.

To give you a rough idea on how long a roof replacement can take, a small terrace roof replacement using concrete tiles can cost £3,470 (approx 1 week) and a large detached property for the same roof would cost around £7,340 (approx 3 weeks). This is very much an estimate based on averages and you'd need to contact a local roofer like AMH Roofing in Stourbridge to assess your roof and provide a full and comprehensive quote.

Conservatory roof replacement

The traditional conservatory roof is becoming less popular due to many conservatories being too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. A popular option to improve your conservatory is to replace the existing roof with a warm conservatory roof. This will enable you to use your conservatory, comfortably all year round.

Tiled conservatory roofs offer the best thermal performance when compared to glass. A solid conservatory roof is a great choice for most conservatories. It provides an extra layer of insulation, keeping the heat in during the winter and shielding from the sun’s glare in the summer. This helps to keep your energy bills down, as well as giving you a versatile space that you can enjoy all year round.

Contact your local roofer to come and visit your conservatory and they can discuss what options are best to improve the efficiency and ambiance of your conservatory within your budget requirements.

Some questions to ask your local roofer before you hire them (as recommended by The Roofing Association):

1. How many years experience do you have?

2. Ask the roofer if they can provider any references or reviews

3. Make sure you ask your roofer for an accurate quote as opposed to a ball park figure

4. Always keep in mind that the cheapest quote isn't always the best

SUMMARY

In summary then, when looking at getting your roof replaced, you'll need to look for signs of it need replacing such as damp, condensation, cracks, splits etc.. and to be sure, speak to your local roofing contractor. You'll then want to decide what materials you'd like to use based on your roof requirements and budget and find a professional roofer in your local area that can answer your questions and provide a quote.

If you live in the Stourbridge area, West Midlands, then AMH Roofing are a professional and experience roofing specialist. Find out more www.amhroofing.co.uk or call them on 07929 145033