Norwich Roofers installs new roofs in Brundall, and we will always explain the honest pros and cons before you commit.
When a new roof is on the cards, the conversation often jumps straight to price. But material choice is where the real decisions get made. The wrong product for a given situation can mean a roof that looks fine for a few years and then causes persistent problems. The right choice, properly installed, can outlast the rest of the building.
Below is a plain account of the main roofing systems used on homes and extensions in Brundall, with an honest look at where each one works well and where it does not.
Clay is a traditional covering for pitched roofs, and it remains one of the best long-term options. A well-laid clay plain tile roof can last well over 60 years. Clay does not fade significantly, does not become porous with age the way concrete can, and looks natural against older brickwork.
Pros: Very long service life. Colour is fired in and does not wash out. Sympathetic appearance on older or period properties. Recyclable at end of life.
Cons: Heavier than concrete or slate alternatives, so the roof structure needs to be capable of carrying the load. More expensive to buy than concrete interlocking tiles. Availability of matching tiles for future repairs can vary depending on the profile.
Concrete tiles have been the most widely used pitched roof covering in the UK since the 1970s. They are cheaper than clay and cover a larger area per tile, which keeps labour costs down. A new concrete tile roof laid on modern underlay is a perfectly sound choice for most domestic properties.
Pros: Lower material cost than clay. Wide range of profiles and colours. Good availability for future matching. Lighter than plain clay tiles in most profiles.
Cons: The surface coating fades over time and older tiles can become porous, which increases moss and lichen growth. Realistic service life is typically 30 to 50 years rather than the 60-plus years achievable with clay. Colour matching becomes harder as the existing tiles weather.
Welsh and Spanish slates are a popular choice for new roofs where appearance matters and the budget allows. Slate is thin and lightweight relative to its strength, sits flat and close to the roof, and gives a clean, sharp look. A quality natural slate properly fixed can last 80 to 100 years.
Pros: Exceptional longevity when well laid. Low maintenance once bedded in. Excellent appearance. Handles wind and rain very well when correctly nailed.
Cons: The highest material cost of the common pitched roof options. Quality varies significantly between sources, so the specification matters. Individual slates can crack if walked on, making future maintenance work more involved. Not appropriate where planning conditions require a tile finish.
Fibre-cement slates are a manufactured alternative to natural slate. They are less expensive and come in consistent sizes and thicknesses, which makes laying straightforward. They are a reasonable mid-range option for extensions or properties where natural slate would be disproportionate in cost.
Pros: Lower cost than natural slate. Consistent dimensions make laying precise. Lighter than clay tiles. Good range of colours.
Cons: Shorter life expectancy than natural slate, typically 30 to 40 years. Does not carry the same visual quality as natural stone. Some ranges have had durability issues in previous decades, though current products are generally reliable.
Torch-on felt (also called built-up felt or SBS-modified bitumen) is the most established flat roof system for extensions, garage roofs and outbuildings. It is applied in layers, each torched down to the one beneath, creating a bonded waterproof surface. A quality three-layer torch-on system typically gives 20 to 25 years of reliable service.
Pros: Well-understood system with a long track record. Straightforward to repair if a section is ever damaged. Suits most domestic flat roof applications. More affordable than EPDM on smaller areas.
Cons: Shorter maximum life than EPDM. The torching process requires care around timber and combustible materials. Joins and upstands need proper attention; poorly finished details are the most common source of failure.
EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) is a synthetic rubber membrane supplied in large sheets that can cover most domestic flat roofs with few joins. It is bonded to the deck using adhesive rather than heat. EPDM has become increasingly common on domestic extensions over the past 15 years because of its flexibility and resistance to UV degradation.
Pros: Very long potential life - well-installed EPDM roofs often perform for 40 years or more. Highly flexible, so it copes well with thermal movement. Fewer joins than felt on most domestic roofs means fewer potential weak points. Lightweight.
Cons: Requires clean, dry conditions during installation. Adhesive bonding has to be done correctly or edges can lift. Not every roofer has experience with EPDM, so ask specifically whether it is a system they work with regularly.
Whatever the outer covering, the underlay and the details are what separate a roof that lasts from one that causes problems within a decade. Modern breathable membrane underlays allow water vapour to escape from the roof space while keeping wind and rain out. Older properties may have been built with bitumen-felt underlay, which does not breathe and can contribute to condensation problems as the building fabric and ventilation standards have changed.
Lead is the standard material for flashings at chimneys, abutments, dormers and valleys. Code 4 and code 5 lead is commonly used in domestic roofing. Where lead is not appropriate (some planning areas restrict its use for theft reasons), code-equivalent alternatives are available. Flashings done in mortar alone, without a proper lead dress, will crack as the building moves and the mortar ages - this is a common source of leaks on otherwise sound roofs.
A new roof that drains into failing or undersized gutters is not fully protected. The gutter size should match the roof area and pitch, and any new roof installation is a sensible point to check or replace fascias, soffits and guttering at the same time. uPVC guttering is standard on most domestic properties; cast iron is sometimes specified on older buildings where original details are being maintained.
When you receive quotes for a new roof in Brundall, check that each one names the specific tile or slate product, the underlay specification, how flashings will be dressed, whether timber work is included, and what happens with waste removal. A quote that does not specify these things may look cheaper but is leaving room to add costs later.
Call Norwich Roofers to discuss which system suits your property and get a clear, itemised view of what a new roof in your situation actually involves.
No obligation · We usually respond within 2 hours
Storm damage, active leak, damaged ridge - we aim to be on-site within 24 hours.
