Flat roofing materials?

gromituk

I've just had an estimate for replacing a small area of flat roof - on a first floor bay window. At present it has the standard green felt on it, which hasn't been replaced since I moved in nearly 12 years ago, and although it isn't leaking (being north-facing helps), I'm having a bit of other work done, too, and thought it would be a good idea as the room below has just had an expensive makeover.

The materials to be used are "three layers of high-performance felt". I'm assuming this is no more sophisticated than what's there at the moment, and it worries me a bit. Would a better alternative be "torch-on" felt, EPDM or something? Yes, they'd cost more, but the biggest cost is labour so I'd prefer to increase the time to next replacement. Is it just inertia that roofers still use this stuff routinely, or is having anything else going to be phenominally expensive?

Thanks.

a-builder-A1

a 3 layer built up roof mineral on the last layer should last 20yrs

gromituk

Thanks - perhaps I'm prejudiced against good old mouldy old felt!

paul_h

I don't like felt either, but there seems to be a general reluctance for builders to use different materials. 3 layer felt is tried and tested though, and it does work.

I like the look of EPDM, I have several outbuildings and I am considering experimenting with a bonded rubber roof on one of them. I had considered fibreglass, but I'm told that you can have problems with it cracking in certain situations.

http://www.flat-roof-repair.co.uk/

http://www.diyroofing.com/

http://www.aquaroof.fsbusiness.co.uk/

EPDM looks easier to DIY, and can 'alledgedly' last 50 years plus...

...got to be worth a try.;)

gromituk

Thanks - yes, I too am intrigued by EPDM. I looked into it a while back when thinking of making a sedum roof for my shed. The shed roof system in http://www.diyroofing.com/ is very good value, but naughty to use on a house. However, it's possible my bay roof can be done with the 1m wide Self-Adhesive system, so shouldn't be too expensive.

I've messed about with gutters a lot (changing their gradient to drain to water storage) but I'm not really so keen on doing this myself. One complication is that tiles need to be removed behind the bay. Another complication that would be simplified if I DIY is that there aren't suitable fixings for curtains/blinds in the bay, so while the roof is opened up I'd like to put some bits of wood in for this.

Someone I spoke to this morning who is working next door said they'd paint something on to the existing roof. I should have asked what it was. I'm dubious about this.

paul_h

gromituk wrote:

Someone I spoke to this morning who is working next door said they'd paint something on to the existing roof. I should have asked what it was. I'm dubious about this.

It could be something like Flexacryl - it's actually an amazing product, and is brilliant for making emergency repairs. Its like a grey/black goob which sticks to absolutely everything, it even adheres to surfaces under water.

It sets into a pliable semi-solid, and is very waterproof - but its only meant as a temporary repair and I can't see it lasting for ever...

plumb1_2

paul_h wrote:

It could be something like Flexacryl - it's actually an amazing product, and is brilliant for making emergency repairs. Its like a grey/black goob which sticks to absolutely everything, it even adheres to surfaces under water.

It sets into a pliable semi-solid, and is very waterproof - but its only meant as a temporary repair and I can't see it lasting for ever...

yep it is good stuff, it has flakes of fibreglass in it. Sold at travis perkins approx £45 a tin.

BobProperty

gromituk wrote:

.... or is having anything else going to be phenominally expensive?

Do you mean it should be done in lead really? Then yes, it is the right thing to do, but it will be expensive and you won't easily find someone with the necessary skills.
Have a look at the pictures at the start of this thread http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/forum1/viewtopic.php?t=564

Mr_Meanie

I would think that 'high-performance felt' would be the polyester based type felt which as a-builder-A1 says should last at least 20 years.