Flat Roofing Coventry and Warwickshire

A flat roof is never actually flat. It needs a fall built in, usually a minimum of 1 in 40, so rainwater runs off to the outlets or gutter instead of sitting on the surface. When we look at a flat roof, the first thing we check is whether that fall exists and whether it is doing its job. Ponding water is the main reason felt and older systems fail early.

We work with three main coverings: torch on or pour and roll felt, EPDM rubber, and GRP fibreglass. Each has its place. Felt is still a solid option on many garages and outbuildings when laid correctly in the right number of layers. EPDM is a single sheet with very few joints, so it suits larger areas well. GRP gives a hard, seamless surface that copes well with foot traffic on balconies and walkways.

The deck underneath matters as much as the covering on top. Old chipboard decks that have gone soft or delaminated need replacing with OSB3 or marine ply before any new covering goes down. Laying a new roof over a rotten deck just wastes money, because the covering will fail again once the timber moves. We always check the deck before quoting for a full re-roof.

Whether we overlay or strip back to the deck depends on condition. If the existing felt is sound with no blisters, splits or wet insulation underneath, an overlay can be the cheaper route. If there is water trapped under the surface, or the insulation is soaked, a strip off is the only proper fix. We will tell you straight which one your roof needs.

Access affects the price on flat roofs more than people expect. A single storey garage roof is straightforward from a ladder or tower. A flat roof over a two storey extension, or one tucked behind a parapet wall, usually needs scaffolding or edge protection for safe working. We include that in the written quote so there are no surprises.

Upstands, abutments and outlets are where flat roofs usually let go first, so we pay close attention to trims and detailing at every edge. On this hub page we cover flat roofing in general, and we have separate pages going into more depth on EPDM and GRP if you already know which system you want.

Whatever the size of the roof, from a small dormer to a full warehouse, we give a free written quote with the guarantee terms confirmed alongside it. Homeowners and landlords across Coventry, Leamington Spa, Nuneaton and Kenilworth use us for both new flat roofs and repairs to existing ones.