Which flat roof system is best?

GRP fibreglass is our most recommended - seamless, durable and the longest lasting. EPDM is a great mid-range option. Felt is fine for smaller jobs on a budget.

How long will a flat roof last?

GRP: 25–30 years. EPDM: 20–25 years. Torch-on felt: 10–15 years. All assume correct installation and falls.

Can you repair an existing flat roof?

Yes - if the deck is sound and the issue is localised, we can repair rather than replace.

Do you fit roof lights?

Yes - roof lights and access hatches can be installed at the same time as a new flat roof.

Why does my flat roof keep leaking?

Almost always because of poor falls causing ponding, or failed edge detailing. We fix the cause, not just the symptom.

There is a puddle on my flat roof two days after rain. Is that a fault?

Standing water more than 48 hours after rain means the falls are wrong or the deck has dipped. It is not fatal on EPDM but it shortens the life of any system and it is the first thing we design out.

Can you lay a new flat roof over the old one?

We generally refuse. Overlaying traps moisture between the layers, hides rotten deck, and no manufacturer will guarantee it. The saving is small and the risk is entirely yours.

Which system would you pick for a dormer?

EPDM, usually. The sheet can be dressed up the cheeks in one piece, so there are no joints in the places dormers normally fail.

FLAT ROOFING THAT ACTUALLY LASTS

GRP fibreglass, EPDM rubber and torch-on felt - installed by flat roofing specialists.

Flat Roofing

About This Service

Flat roofs get a bad reputation because most of them are installed cheaply or with the wrong system for the property. Done properly, a modern flat roof should last 20 to 30 years with no leaks and minimal maintenance.

We install GRP fibreglass, EPDM rubber and torch-on felt systems on extensions, garages, bay windows, dormers and commercial buildings. Every install is laid to a proper fall so water actually drains, with fully sealed edges and the right detailing around upstands.

GRP installations come with a 20-year manufacturer warranty on the membrane, on top of our own workmanship guarantee.

BOOK FREE INSPECTION 0191 637 5999

What's Included

EVERY JOB COVERS

Full strip of existing flat roof down to deck
Inspection and replacement of damaged deck boards
Correct drainage falls installed where they don't exist
GRP fibreglass - premium, seamless, 25+ year lifespan
EPDM rubber - flexible, durable, low maintenance
Torch-on felt - reliable and cost-effective
Fully sealed edges and proper upstand detailing
New trims, drip edges and outlet fittings
Roof lights and access hatches installed if needed
20-year GRP manufacturer warranty + our workmanship guarantee

How We Work

THREE STEPS. NO SURPRISES.

ASSESS & RECOMMEND

We inspect the existing roof, check the deck, and recommend the right system for your property - not the cheapest one.

PREP & FALLS

Strip back to deck, replace anything rotten, and build in proper drainage falls so water can't pool.

INSTALL & SEAL

Lay the chosen system with full edge detailing, trims and outlets. You get a written warranty when we're done.

Why Choose Us

WHY HOMEOWNERS PICK A CLASS

RIGHT SYSTEM FOR THE JOB

Not every flat roof needs GRP. We recommend what suits your property and budget - honestly.

PROPER DRAINAGE

Most flat roof failures are caused by ponding. We build in correct falls so water always runs away.

20-YEAR GRP WARRANTY

Manufacturer-backed warranty on GRP, plus our written workmanship guarantee on top.

Warning Signs

SIGNS YOU NEED THIS

Spotted any of these? Book a free inspection - better to know now than after the next storm.

Pools of standing water on the roof after rain

Blistering, cracking or bubbling on the surface

Damp patches on the ceiling below the flat roof

Cracked or torn felt visible on the roof

Edge trim lifting or coming away from the building

Repeated repairs that no longer seem to hold

The Job Itself

WHAT THE WORK ACTUALLY INVOLVES

01
We check the falls first
Nine out of ten failed flat roofs in the North East failed because the deck was laid dead level and the water sat there. Before quoting we put a level across it and look for staining rings. If the falls are wrong, firrings go in - otherwise you are buying the same problem in a nicer colour.
02
Strip back to a sound deck
Old felt comes off and the deck is checked board by board. Soft, spongy or delaminated OSB is replaced. Nothing is laid over a deck we would not stand on with confidence.
03
System build-up
GRP goes down as trims, then 450g chopped strand matting wetted out in resin, then a pigmented topcoat - one continuous skin with no seams. EPDM is a single rubber sheet bonded to the deck with welded corners. Torch-on is two or three layers, staggered, with a mineral cap sheet.
04
Edges, upstands and outlets
This is where flat roofs leak. Upstands are taken 150mm up the wall and tucked into a chased flashing, not just stuck to the render. Outlets get proper leaf guards and the drip trim overhangs the gutter rather than dribbling down the fascia.

Honest Pricing

WHAT IT'S LIKELY TO COST

Flat roofing is priced by area, system chosen and condition of the deck underneath. EPDM and torch-on felt are typically the most affordable; GRP fibreglass costs more but lasts the longest. We always give a fixed written price, and if we find rotten deck when we strip back, we tell you the cost before replacing it.

A typical single garage or small extension roof runs £1,600 to £2,800 in GRP or EPDM. Larger extensions and dormers with multiple upstands are usually £3,000 to £5,500.

WHAT MOVES THE PRICE

Area, and how many corners, upstands and penetrations break up the surface
System chosen - EPDM is quickest, GRP the hardest wearing underfoot, torch-on the cheapest per square metre
Whether the existing deck survives or needs full board replacement
New firrings to create fall where the original roof was laid flat
Access: a back-yard dormer with no side gate takes longer than a driveway garage

NOT INCLUDED

New rainwater goods, unless the quote says so
Structural work to the deck joists themselves
Rooflight or lantern supply, though we will form and weather the kerb
Walkway pads for roofs you intend to use as a terrace

GET A FIXED-PRICE QUOTE 0191 637 5999

Timescales

HOW LONG IT TAKES - AND IF THE WEATHER TURNS

A garage roof is usually one to two days start to finish.
Extension and dormer roofs take two to four days including deck work.
GRP will not cure below about 5°C or on a damp deck, and rain during cure ruins the topcoat. We watch the forecast and will postpone a start date rather than lay resin we would not put on our own house. EPDM is more forgiving in cold weather, which is why we sometimes recommend it in winter.

FAQ