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Original poster

Flat roof - not keen on felt. Any other options?

14 replies

amillionusernameslater · 15/09/2015 17:42

I have some large flat roof areas and at the moment they are covered in solar reflective silver paint. This looks nicer to me than felt and they are visible from upstairs windows/ one is on a balcony.

I'm not keen on the look of felt - what other options are there?

OP posts:
exexpat · 15/09/2015 17:47

I was recommended (by several different roofers/builders) to have fibreglass to replace the very dodgy but less than a decade old roofing felt on the flat roof of my kitchen, so that is what I did. I can't say it looks amazinging attractive - grey and slightly shiny - but it is watertight and should last much longer than the felt.

What I would really like is a green (i.e. living - turfed/planted) roof which would look much better, but that wasn't feasible without major reconstruction.

Aftershock15 · 15/09/2015 17:55

Various metals - lead, copper. Not cheap.

bookbook · 15/09/2015 21:47

we have a fibreglass roof on our flat roof garage, and chose green from a colour swatch - we had to ask, as they would have just gone for silver. 20 year guarantee. Pleased with it

regretsihaveafew · 15/09/2015 22:37

I have EPDM a synthetic rubber roofing system which is very long lasting and a roof can be done with no seams. It's very commonly used.

Meandyouandyouandme · 16/09/2015 12:43

We are current extending our house, and have gone for a green roof. It's a large expanse, and I didn't want to be looking at a lot of grey metal/fibreglass from the bedroom windows. The wooden structure is supposed to be finished today, with the green roof company starting next week, adding the membrane and soil, my DH is going to sow suitable wildflower seeds in October. Looking forward to lots of flowers next year hopefully Smile

herethereandeverywhere · 16/09/2015 13:48

We've just had our felt/bitumen replaced with fibreglass

Titsywoo · 16/09/2015 14:11

We have fibreglass. It has been fine except one patch where it wasn't applied thickly enough and we got a couple of leaks but that was user error on our roofers part and after adding some more on top it is fine. No idea what it looks like as we live in a bungalow and this is just a single storey extension. You can choose a colour too - we went for slate grey.

Original poster
amillionusernameslater · 16/09/2015 20:34

Sorry not to have come back to the thread for so long. Will read now but thanks for your replies.

OP posts:
TrevaronGirl · 17/09/2015 00:22

If the roof is not leaking, why do you want to replace?

If you must replace, a built up HT felt system by someone reputable such as Erisco Bauder is by far the best choice - but expensive.

Fibreglass / EPDM / single ply / various non ferrous metals are other options but each has their advantages and disadvantages.

Green roofs are somewhat of a passe gimmick these days but still popular with some people They have, as their waterproofing membrane a variety of materials: HT felt / asphalt / EPDM / single ply / liquid (e.g. polyurethane / SWEPCO) etc.

The big disadvantage of a green roof is, if a leak happens it an absolute nightmare to track and repair.

Talk to a Chartered Building Surveyor or a Chartered Architect for advice.

Original poster
amillionusernameslater · 17/09/2015 14:14

It has lots of surface cracking and pooled rainwater and is just a matter of time before it starts leaking.

Green roof would look out of place - period house - wouldn't work much as a nice idea.

OP posts:
Original poster
amillionusernameslater · 23/09/2015 13:38

Still struggling a bit and stalling as most of the roofers I have been recommended only seem to do felt...

OP posts:
cressetmama · 23/09/2015 15:19

We had to have a fibreglass roof replaced soon after moving in (17 years ago now). I asked a friend who was a surveyor what and who to use, and he suggested a company fairly locally who were excellent, and not too expensive. They used a three-layer system of felting and bitumen to waterproof, followed by concrete tiles ( there was a choice of colours, we chose a light grey) because the roof is also a patio. It has been a big success all round. We pressure wash it annually as it greens up in our waterlogged climate and apart from the evening we lit a firepit on it, which made the reasonable bitumen bubble through (we peeled it off when it cooled) it hasn't been touched since. There was a 10-year guarantee, but that has long since expired.

TrevaronGirl · 23/09/2015 23:04

OK, my 'advice' would be, contact Erisco Bauder...

Original poster
amillionusernameslater · 25/09/2015 23:58

That sounds interesting Cresset as one of our roof spaces is also a balcony. Can you post a pic of the roof?! Would be great to see it.

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