Roofing Experts

Self cleaning glass rooflights are now rather popular and while it’s not the cheapest rooflight systems, it will guarantee a nice clean look for years. You won’t have to continuously call out the window cleaner to get your roof looking sparkly clean, you can sit back and relax, and watch the window clean itself.

The system uses a coating which breaks down natural dirt, while rain simply washes the dirt away. It’s a clever system and it’s rather simple too, which is why many manufacturers have engaging incorporating it into their products.

They work for windows, skylight and complete glass roofs, and it’s something you must consider if you’re going to have a large expanse covered with glass – perhaps a large bespoke rooflight for your home. Of course, if you’re not worried about having to go up and clean your rooflight every few months, than this system is probably not worth the extra money.

Slate shingles can give a property a cottage like feel, and it can make your home can look like something out of the Harry Potter films.

You don’t usually get too many colour variations to choose between with slate, but you’re guaranteed reliability and some slate roofs can last for more than a century. There may be times when different areas need tiles replacing, but if the roof has been put together by a professional, then it could be decades before you need to carry out any maintenance works.

Slate shingles are usually cut into rectangles and recently many properties use metals to resemble slate, and this is a much cheaper option, but it doesn’t provide the same level of strength and durability. Slate is will always be quality roofing material and it oozes a classical style.

At one point in time, it looked as though thatched roofing was going to die out. You’d really have to head deep into the countryside to find a building with a thatched roof, but they seem to be back in abundance.

Old and new cottages and houses have been fitted with thatched roofs and it’s great news for roofers who still use traditional techniques. What some people fail to remember, until recently, is how dependable thatched roofs are. The main concerns came about in the 90’s and people were worried about having expense insurance, but that’s all fizzled out.

The ancient British roofing seems to be back and it hasn’t been modernised in the slightest. You do need to get an experienced thatched roofer though, and make sure you’ve seen their previous work.

Insulating a roof can be done through one of two methods; either by building a cavity between the roof and the ceiling of the rooms below, which can then have insulating materials added to, or you can use insulating roof panels.

Both of these options have their advantages and their limitations, such as with cavity filling, you need a cavity, and with roof panels, you don’t get as much insulation, so it’s important that you carefully consider your options.

Insulating roof panels are a great option for those homes which don’t have a cavity between the higher most room’s ceiling and the roof, as it will provide some insulation for a home which would otherwise have none. It can also be used to supplement a cavity insulated home with additional insulation. They come in various widths, giving you different specifications for the quality of insulation you want.

Doing cavity insulation for your roof also presents some options, usually pertaining to the material used for insulation. Different materials provide different levels of insulation, and depending upon the weight of the materials, you may be limited on which type and the quantity of insulation you can place below your roof.

Firstly, they come in two types: Venting – which can open or Fixed – which can’t. Secondly, you don’t usually need planning permission to install a skylight – which is good news!
Skylights can come in a huge range of sizes, however if you opt for a larger skylight, but this will mean that the installer may need to cut one or more the rafters in your roof. This is perfectly ok for conventionally framed roofs. HOWEVER, a truss style is engineered to carry load, cutting the roof members could affect the structural integrity of the roof.
Skylights are available in different materials; however we do suggest that you chose glass. This may be the more expensive option, but it is much more durable than plastic and has often been made specifically to offer more strength and resistance to UV rays.  Plastic must be coated in a special film to protect against UV rays, but it doesn’t stop the plastic from potentially warping.