Roofing Experts

If you own or are thinking of buying an older property the roof is possibly the most important part of the house to keep in good repair. If the roof is left to deteriorate the resulting repairs can be extremely costly. The things to look out for are broken tiles on the roof or on the ground around the property, damaged or missing flashing from under the tiles and from the inside damp and mould on surfaces or even seeing daylight through parts of the roof.

Many older houses do not have felt under the roof tiles so any broken tiles will allow rainwater to enter the loft space. A good tip is to use a pair of binoculars to examine the roof from the ground. It may be necessary to ask a neighbour whether you could view the roof from their garden so that you can get a clear view. Ridge and hip tiles are very often damaged during high winds as the cement that held them in place deteriorates. It is usually obvious if these tiles are missing.

The underside of the roof can be seen from the loft however if loft insulation is in place this may have to be pulled back to get a better view. Beams and rafters should be inspected to check that there is no evidence of rot and woodworm an unfortunately common issue in older properties so that remedial work can be carried out.

Flat roofing gets mixed reviews, but in reality, there are lots of benefits and, with modern, high quality roofing, few of the negatives. These are important to know if considering flat roofing in Cambridge and will help you to make an informed decision about your roofing. Learn more about all of the benefits high quality flat roofing can bring, and why it can be an excellent option for a property in Cambridge.

Four Key Advantages of Flat Roofing

These are some of the most important advantages to know about when considering flat roofing:

• Flat roofing is lower cost. The materials used in flat roofing are generally cheaper so this keeps the cost of the roofing down. If the roof needs to be repaired in future, which is usually will as all roofs sustain wear and tear, then this will be simpler and cheaper. This makes flat roofing a good option for all environments.
• Rooflights can be installed. This will help you to incorporate natural light in your property, making spaces lighter. Many people choose flat roofs on extensions and conversions because they can easily be used with rooflights, so the newly built part of the property will be significantly lighter. Most types of rooflight can be fitted into a flat roof, giving you more choice, including fixed flat glass rooflights (one of the most common types), roof lanterns, and hinged rooflights that will open up for ventilation – these are good for kitchens and bathrooms.
• Flat roofs can be used for storage. They can have air conditioning units fitted to them, or they can even become walk on terraces if there is the right planning permission and enough space. Mostly, though, they are more functional because of being flat.
• They are easier to repair. It is easier for a roofer to gain access to the roof to inspect it due to it being flat and accessible. It is then also usually quicker and easier for the flat roofing contractor to fix the roof, because of the types of materials that the roofing is made from. These can be patched up, rather than the whole of the roof having to be replaced.

If you live in Cambridge, have a business in Cambridge, or own/manage any other type of property, and flat roofing is an option you are considering, find a local company that can apply the roofing for you. Enquire about the types of roofing they offer which might include bitumen roofing, EPDM rubber flooring, spray polyurethane foam, and PVC/TPO. All are good options in their own right and it will depend on what you are looking for, the type of property, your budget, whether you have an existing flat roof, and many other factors. If the company also offers a type of roofing that can be easily repaired and they can carry out the repairs as well should these be needed in future, this is the best kind of company to choose. They will deliver cost savings and quality roofiing for you.

The majority of homeowners would jump at the chance to reduce their energy bills if they could as after mortgage or rental costs, energy costs are the next biggest outlay for everyone. The good news is that energy bills can be reduced if homeowners invest in installing solar panels or solar tiles on the roofs of their properties.

Many people feel strongly about saving energy and using renewable energy sources therefore solar panels have become a more common sight on roofs across the length and breadth of the UK. The money that can be saved during the year is significant and some smart export guarantee schemes not only allow you to use the electricity you produce but pay you an amount for the electricity that you put back into the grid.

The only option up until recently was to have solar panels attached to the roof of the house using a bolt and rail system, but new technology has enabled solar panels to be incorporated into roof tiles making them less obvious to passers-by.

Although the cost of solar roof tiles is more expensive than the cost of traditional style solar panels, the price is reducing as the technology becomes more commonplace and the savings they generate mean that the payback time is about six years on average.

For many homeowners, the task of replacing a flat roof on a garage is likely if the property is more than a few years old. Flat roofs are renown for leaking in and if not addressed problems and damage escalate requiring even more remedial work to be carried out. The options open to people needing to replace a flat roof used to be limited and felt roofing was really the only choice but in recent years as a wider variety of roofing materials have become available the options are more varied.

Re-felting is still an option and is seen as a good, relatively cheap, solution to the problem of a leaking roof. The downside to using this material is that it is affected by the elements and so does deteriorate over time meaning that it will probably need replacing in about ten years.

 A roofing material that many people are turning to is rubber roofing. Sheets of a rubberised material are glued to the stripped roof of the garage and edged appropriately to ensure it is watertight. Although more expensive the life of this type of roof is upwards of twenty-five years so for many people it will only need to be done once. Unlike felt it is not affected by the elements so should not deteriorate in the same way.

Any home improvement project is a big undertaking, no more so than roofing. Whenever you are having roofing replaced or repaired, it is important to know that the company doing the work is going to do so in the best way possible for you. A tiled conservatory roof in Milton Keynes is an increasingly popular option for many people, for many reasons: the more aesthetically pleasing elements of the roofing, the better insulation, the fact that the roof will be lower maintenance in the future. There are many factors that will mean a new tiled roof will be a good choice. But how do you find a good contractor? Are there many in the Milton Keynes area who will be able to do a good job for you?

If you are looking to have your conservatory roof replaced or repaired in Milton Keynes, you are not alone. Many of the properties in the area are relatively modern and have had conservatories added additionally, following their initial build. As these conservatories have got older, they are starting to be less energy efficient – and also less appealing spaces to use. This is never acceptable for something that is an integral part of your home. Having the roof replaced can make an enormous difference to a conservatory’s usability, especially for modern homes in Milton Keynes that will benefit from the improved aesthetic, energy efficiency and functionality. Whilst it might at first seem appealing to patch up the existing roof and make it more useable, this is simply not a long term solution. Even if you manage to fix the roof, you will almost certainly not be able to make the space feel pleasant, inviting and welcoming.

When you consider replacing the roof, a tiled roof is the most modern, effective and attractive option. Here is a brief guide to replacing your current roof with a tiled alternative:

• Locate a company that is an expert in conservatory roofing. It is a job for a specialist and conservatory roofs are not like other roofs. The company you choose should be able to do everything, including taking down the old roof, replacing it with a new one, and dealing with the ceiling inside the conservatory as well.
• Decide on exactly what you want your roof to look like. In general you will have a normal plastered ceiling inside, and tiles on the outside. You can often find tiles that are similar to your other roof tiles.
• Get a quote from the roofing company. Make sure you know what costs are involved.
• Book in the work. Find out from the company how long the work will take – it might be the case that they cannot do certain parts of the job if it is raining, or if it is windy.

Now all that is left is to enjoy your new, beautiful, energy efficient conservatory. You can have rooflights installed if you want more natural light, or you can enjoy having protection from the glare of the sun overhead.