Roofing

People don’t think about their roofs until there are issues. By that time, issues are more advanced and more expensive to correct.

What is a roof made of?

We are currently adding comprehensive roofing information to HomeProphet to answer the questions our users have. Common questions include, “What is my roof worth?” and “What does a new roof cost?”. We have covered basic information about roofs, and now will provide more detailed information, including costs.

Insulation and Conservatory Roofs

Most of the issues people have with their conservatories are related to their roofs. Traditionally, conservatory roofs were constructed with polycarbonate materials. Polycarbonate roofs allow heat to escape and also can magnify the sun’s rays, making the conservatory extremely hot. Replacing a polycarbonate roof with a tiled roof will improve the overall comfort of the conservatory. A tiled roof also can improve the overall usability of the conservatory. From a legal perspective, replacing a polycarbonate roof with a tiled roof would not require planning permission. We will be adding more information about roofs and their costs.

Automatic Opening Vents

We’ve discussed automatic opening vents (AOVs). While they are a nice-to-have feature, they are legally required in some buildings. AOVs help remove smoke and allow occupants to escape and give fire and rescue personnel unobstructed access to the fire compartment. As part of the building’s smoke management system, AOVs are located at the top of a smoke shaft or escape route. Without an AOV, smoke will obstruct the shaft or route and provide no means of smoke removal.

Depending on the building’s smoke management system, AOVs can be manually or automatically operated. Prior to starting a loft conversion, for example, it is good practice to ensure that automatically-operated ventilation units are not required, to avoid delays during the building control process.

We know roofing is not an exciting aspect of home improvement, but getting it right brings peace of mind and gives the best return on investment. We will discuss types of roofing and the costs associated with them.

TILED ROOFS VS. FLAT ROOFS VS. FIBRE GLASS ROOFS AND COSTS

Generally speaking a tiled roof is the best option for a period property and with good reason, Clay tiles look a lot better and typically last 50 years plus. However, they are significantly more expensive than their concrete counterparts which also shorten the lifespan and detract from the appearance of the roof. Slate roofs are the longest lasting and are generally found on the higher end of the market. The national average for a complete re-tiling of a semi-detached property is between 5,000 and 30,000 pounds.

Generally, flat roofs can be found on garages, extensions and lower end housing from the post war years. Flat roofs have a bad reputation from the old felt roofs of that time, however, recent innovations in roofing like fibreglass and single ply membranes have improved the market. Flat roofs are less expensive than pitched roofs, however, they generally do not last as long.

Fibreglass (GRP) roofs are very popular for flat roofs and roofs on conservatories and garden rooms. They are fully waterproof and have seams, like a portable shower tray, to allow water to drain off. They will last a long time with very little maintenance. They cost more than a cheap, everyday roofing felt but less than a tiled roof.

The biggest determiners of cost for a new roof are size and the condition of what is under the roof, particularly the roof structure. The cost of a new roof can easily be underestimated, for example if scaffolding has to be erected around the entire house. The condition of the roof structure can impact the cost of a new roof. If the roof structure needs to be replaced as well, the cost of the roof structure and the new roof need to be considered together.

Get at least two quotes because the quotes may vary widely due to what is included. Ask what is included because the quotes may not include the same things. Scaffolding and disposal may be included in some quotes, but not in others.

A new roof can change the look of a house and, if done nicely, improve a house. However, a new roof can also be a significant financial cost and, if done on a house with an old roof structure that hasn’t been checked, the cost can be wasted if the old, neglected roof structure isn’t also replaced.

Automatic Opening Vents

Proper smoke ventilation in a building is not only essential for saving people’s lives in the event of a fire, but it is also regulated strictly by law. Automated Opening Vents – also known as AOV – are an integral part of this system.

Simply put, automatic opening Vent is a system which is used to vent air or smoke in a building and is used in both natural and smoke ventilation systems. The devices help to avoid smoke build up inside a building, which aids both occupants and fire rescue personnel who have entered the building to put out the fire.

This system is integrated into a complete smoke or natural ventilation system, where components work together to clear the building of smoke in the case of an emergency. These are often positioned at the highest point in a smoke shaft, or at the top of an escape route. This allows a path for the smoke to travel up and out of the building.

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