Flat Roofing in Birmingham
We repair and re-cover flat roofs on Birmingham homes, from back extensions to dormers and porches.
- Quotes in writing
- 17 areas covered
Birmingham Roof Pros fits new flat roofs and repairs old ones on houses across Birmingham. We work on flat roofs over kitchen extensions, dormers, porches and bay windows. We also re-cover flat garage roofs.
How a flat roof is built
The Planning Portal says flat roofs are simpler than pitched ones. They are usually joists, the timber beams that run from one wall to the other, with boards laid over them and a waterproof covering on top. We check all three layers when we look for a leak, not just the top one.
Signs your flat roof needs work
Which? lists the warning signs to look out for on a flat roof:
- Cracks or splits round the edges.
- Uneven lumps in the covering.
- Sagging, which may mean water has built up on top.
- Damp patches on the ceiling below, which may mean the covering has a tear.
If you spot a sag, stay off the roof and give us a call.
Repair or re-cover?
We repair a flat roof when the damage is in one spot and the boards under it are still sound. When the covering has failed in lots of places, or the boards have gone soft, we strip it and lay a new one.
We fit three kinds of flat roof covering. Which? groups PVC and rubber EPDM together as modern flat roof products laid on new boards, and we lay EPDM as one large rubber sheet. We also lay torch-on felt in layers, sealed with heat. And we fit fibreglass roofs, where we lay resin and glass matting over new boards and it sets hard.
We'll say which one suits your roof and why, then quote for the one you pick.
Insulation on a flat roof
The Energy Saving Trust says a flat roof is best insulated from above. Rigid insulation boards go on top of the roof deck, and the new waterproof layer goes over them. It says insulating from underneath can cause condensation if it isn't done right.
It also says building regulations generally require a flat roof to be insulated, so a re-cover is the time to do it. And it says flat roof insulation can save about as much on heating bills as loft insulation, depending on how much of your roof is flat.
The Planning Portal adds that some flat roof repairs need no building regulations application at all. But re-covering half the roof or more needs approval, and replacing a roof with insulation built into it may mean upgrading that insulation. We tell you which applies before we price the job.
Older houses and Bournville
Historic England says many older buildings have flat roofs over porches, dormers and extensions, and that lead is the most common metal used on them. It says small holes and splits in lead can be patched. If your house has a lead flat roof, we will tell you whether a patch or a new covering is the better fix.
In the Bournville Village Conservation Area, Birmingham City Council's design guide asks people to avoid flat roofs on extensions, because they do not suit the area. It wants extension roofs to match the shape and materials of the house. If you live there and want an extension, we'll price a pitched roof for it as well.
Questions about flat roofing in Birmingham
How much does a new flat roof cost?
We price it on the size, the covering and whether the boards need replacing. Which? only gives figures for a flat roof on a single garage, which are on our garage roof page. For an extension or dormer, we measure first and give you a written quote.
Can you put a new flat roof over the old one?
Sometimes, if the old boards are dry and firm. If they are soft or wet, we strip back to the joists. We won't lay a new covering on rotten boards.
Can you fix a flat roof in winter?
Yes, we can patch a leak in most weather to keep the water out. We lay a full new covering in a dry spell.
Why does water sit on my flat roof?
We check the fall, which is the slight slope that sends rain to the gutter. If the boards have dipped, we replace them and build the slope back in when we re-cover.
Do you fit roof lights in flat roofs?
Yes, we can. We cover that on our roof windows page.
Do you work on flat roofs over bay windows?
Yes, we can. We repair or re-cover them the same way as a bigger flat roof.
Get a quote for flat roofing
Send the quote form with your postcode and a line about the flat roof, such as where it is and where the water comes in. We'll come and look, then give you a written quote. To see the other roofing work we do, go to the Birmingham Roof Pros home page.
Ready to talk about your roofing job?
Send the quote form with your postcode and what you need. We will get back to you with a written quote.