Roofing and Roofs

Roofs and Roofing

Picture of dormer with slate covering

A sound roof keeps your house warm and dry.

There are many styles of roof and roofing materials, including roof pitch and roof coverings by e.g.:

• Felt
• Asphalt
• Tiles
• Slates
• Stones
• Glass and Plastic
• Metal: galvanised, corrugated/corrigated
• Tin
• Copper
• Thatched

For more information about roofing materials and services see: K-Roofing.co.uk

Roofing Books

Weatherproofing Roofs

Loft conversions require a structurally sound and weatherproof roof. A survey will identify any roof issues such as damp, leaks, decay or damage needsing repair prior to conversion.

The conversion itself will usually require apertures making within the roof for Velux skylights or dormer windows.

Our qualified roofers use scaffolding to access the roof and remove tiles and cladding as required.

Our experienced roofers are familiar with the individual elements of roofs and will identify and repair any identified roof defects to preserve the integrity of the roof space.

Types of Roof Damage

Roofs with chimney stacks, roof windows and hatches have flashings and pointing exposed to 'the elements' - rain, wind, frost, snow and heat.

Weathering stresses roofing materials and can cause wear, warp, decay and damage. Therefore, while we are on your roof we ensure it is weather proof before more delicate conversion work begins.

Roof Materials

Loft plans usually specify the roofing products and materials to install or use to clad a roof. Dormer windows and extensions are roofing material intensive and our extensive knowledge will provide a close match to existing styles, colours and qualities.

Examples below are of commonly used roof coverings.

Roof Tiles

Roof Tiles

'Plain' tiles are made from either concrete or clay and are hung on and nailed to the batten below. Types of tile:

• Standard - double lap - plain tile
• Eves or top course tile
• Tile and a half tile
• Half round ridge tile
• Curve valley tile
• Bonnet hip tile

Double lap tiles are the traditional tile used on pitched roofs.

Slate Roofs

Slate roof tiles

Slates are formed from slate, a natural and dense material that is split into thin sheets and cut into small units to attach to pitched roofs.

Each slate tile is fixed by nail to the roof. A shallow roof pitch and high winds will make slates susceptible to vibration, which can cause breakage and loose tiles.

Flat Roofs - Felt Roofing

Velux roof picture

Flat roofs are made water and weather proof with layers of asphalt rolled roofing, mastic and a top layer of thicker felt and perhaps protective shingle chippings.

Over time, weathering or decay of the structures below can cause seams to lift, edges to cracks and blistering of the felt.

We replace damaged dormer extensions and install skylight sun tunnels in flat roofs.

Metal Roofs

Metal corrugated roofs unusual used on domestic houses and are generally reserved for commercial properties. Seams and joints can open up because of heat expansion and contraction. Where the metal is bonded to walls the flashing and junction needs to be intact, well bonded and free of any tearing and lifting.

Roof Window Flashings

Velux window flashings

Most loft and dormer conversions have VELUX skylights installed (access and escape) into the roof. They site within a frame fixed to the roof aperture.

VELUX window flashings have been designed to be exceptionally hard wearing made from maintenance free grey aluminium.

The roofing materials overlap the flashings creating a weatherproof seal around the window.

VELUX have designed their flashings to be compatible with most types of roofing material, e.g. tiles, slate, flat or felt, corrugated metal and thatch.

We install windows into the loft between rafters and they can be as single window units, pairs of identical windows or pairs side by side. Roof pitch will influence some choice of flashing used.

Chimneystacks

The chimney stack is common to most homes with a real stone fire surround or central heating. Because a stack breaks the lie of the roof and covering the roof around it needs inspection to ensure it is:

• Exactly vertical
• Metal strips (flashings) intact, tucked into mortar, edges flat
• Pot is not cracked or damaged, or is sealed
• Brick mortar pointing is sound
• Pot mortar is not cracked or lifting
• TV aerial mounting fixed and secure

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