Advice on replacing an flat roof

[Rubickscubed]

Have a 20ish year old flat roof and want to replace it before we experience problems. We’ve never owned a house with a flat roof and don’t know where to start with the different types of flat roof. Any advice would be welcomed!

Don't use Checkatrade.
Is there actually anything wrong with the roof currently or are you just worried about something going wrong?
What type of roof is it currently? A good roofer should advise the correct type for you, as not all roof types work depending on your building.
Is it an extension? Or been there with the building from the off?
Make sure you get 3 quotes, from recommended roofers (not roof maintenance companies, actual roofing companies) ask people locally who they've used, and if you know any tradespeople they may have a recommendation for you.
Don't just go for the cheapest one especially if one is massively different to the other two, and ensure the roofer gets up on the roof, they shouldn't really encourage you to replace it if there isn't anything wrong but you can't see that from the ground so ask them to take photos of anything they feel needs work so you can see it for yourself what they are explaining.

Thanks for the advice. The roof is on a single storey extension and is felt. The joins seem like they are much more prominent than they were and water pools on one part of the roof when it rains. The wooden fascias around the extension are rotten. I’ve read about rubber / fibreglass roofs etc, but not sure if they are best options.

The expression if it ain’t broke don’t fix it springs to mind.

Water will always pool of flat roofs, even brand new ones. The roof is flat so it can’t run off anywhere.

If you do want to replace though EPDM rubber roofing is the best option. It has a 50+ year lifespan.

I always ask for recommendations on a local Facebook group (if you have one), you're more likely to get honest Independents, in my experience at least.

Pick three who are most recommended, by real customers not their friends/family, for quotes

As above EPDM rubber is the best way to go but sounds kike you'll also need new fascias/soffits too

@Doris86 That’s not correct. Ponding water shortens the life of the roof, but good design can prevent this.
@Rubickscubed Make sure the roof has a fall to it. Never have totally flat. There are various views on which materials to use but you need to ensure the design gets water off the roof as quickly as possible.

We are just fiberglassing our flat roof on our single story extension . It was originally felt. The roof was in bad condition and part of it fell in the bath. So it had to be done. We decided to do it our self.

Firstinarchitecture.co.uk has decent advice on designing a flat roof. Or a nearly flat roof. 1:40 fall is required as a minimum. Don’t use cold roof construction. Spend the money and it will last!

Can you replace it with a pitched roof, even a small pitch will be better than flat?