Domestic Flat Roofing
• Garage Roofs • Dormer Roofs • Extension Flat Roof • Conservatory Roof • Wet Rooms • Balconies • Terraces
Domestic flat roofs are normally covered with felt and have been for many years, some also have stone chippings or gravel in addition to help shield the felt from the sun, many people complain that it fills the gutter and gives moss a good place to grow and looks un-slightly. Over the years the felt becomes brittle with the sun and cold weather and makes it harder for the felt to cope with the expansion and contraction that takes place on the roof and then Cracks and Leaks. Sometimes these roofs can leak for a long period of time without any trace inside the property, this is because they are often laid over chipboard and it acts like a sponge soaking up the water and drying out again, this action can sometimes cause damage structural timbers. Insurance company statistics state that a felt roof has a average life span of 10-12 years, we feel that this factor alone makes traditional flat roof coverings a very short unpredictable lifespan, needing frequent repair or replacement.
Residential Roofing Contractors
Over the years many good alternative systems have become available for flat roof replacement, we offer 3 tried and tested systems, Fibreglass Roofing System, we recommended for use on domestic properties, ideal for balconies as it can cope with a lot of regular foot traffic, Single Ply Roofing Membrane can also be used as a good alternative, Kemper Waterproofing Systems can sometimes be installed without the need to remove the existing covering depending on the condition of the roof decking.
When replacing a flat roof and its over living accommodation ie the room below the roof is heated it is an ideal time to upgrade the insulation to current requirements, please see section on insulation on home page for more info. More details are given on all 3 systems at the bottom of the home page. So if you're looking for residential roofing contractors for your property, get in touch with Avant Garde Roofing today. We are specialists for Flat Roofs for all requirements. Give us a call today on 0800 456 1104.
The Hidden Problems We Discover on Domestic Flat Roofs
Over twenty years of working on house extensions, garages, and conservatories across the Midlands, we've seen the same issues crop up repeatedly. Last month alone, Paul found three different properties in Wellingborough where felt roofs had been leaking silently for years. Homeowners had no idea until we lifted the old covering and found rotted joists underneath.
The worst case was a 1990s extension in Kettering where the original builders had skimped on the fall. Water had been pooling for fifteen years, slowly destroying the deck. What started as a simple roof replacement became a major structural repair. That's why we always strip back to the joists on older felt roofs – you never know what's hiding underneath.
Why Domestic Properties Need Different Thinking
House flat roofs get treated differently than commercial ones, but they shouldn't. Garages take just as much punishment from weather as warehouse roofs. Extensions face the same thermal movement problems as factory buildings. Yet many roofers approach domestic work like it's somehow less important.
We've learned that homeowners need systems that last decades, not years. Mrs Patterson in Rushden has had the same fibreglass roof on her conservatory since 2006 – seventeen years without a single problem. Compare that to her neighbour who's had felt replaced three times in the same period.
The key difference is understanding how people actually use these spaces. Conservatories that double as home offices need proper insulation and ventilation. Garage roofs that take foot traffic from solar panel maintenance need robust surfaces. Dormer windows that face southwest get hammered by afternoon sun and need UV-resistant systems.
Planning Permission Reality for Homeowners
This catches people out constantly. Ring the council before starting any domestic flat roof work – even "like for like" replacements sometimes need approval now. We've seen homeowners forced to rebuild perfectly good roofs because someone didn't check the rules first.
In conservation areas around Northampton and Wellingborough, the planners can be particularly fussy about materials and finishes. We keep samples of approved systems that match local requirements. Saves months of back-and-forth with building control.
Green roof requirements are becoming more common too, especially for larger extensions. We've installed living roofs on houses in Daventry where planning demanded ecological enhancements. Sounds complicated, but the technology's proven and the energy savings are real.
What We've Learned About Homeowner Priorities
Domestic customers care about different things than commercial clients. Noise during installation matters when people are working from home. Dust protection is crucial when family life continues below. Access routes through gardens need careful planning to avoid damage.
Maurice has perfected the art of keeping disruption minimal. We've completed full garage roof replacements while homeowners barely noticed we were there. Proper preparation and consideration make all the difference.
Cost transparency matters hugely too. Unlike commercial clients with big budgets, homeowners need to know exactly what they're paying and why. We break down every element – materials, labour, disposal, extras. No surprises, no hidden charges.
Most importantly, we explain what we're doing and why. Many homeowners have been burned by cowboys who take shortcuts they can't see. We show customers the problems, explain the solutions, and prove why our methods work long-term.
The satisfaction of solving a family's roofing problems properly – knowing their home is protected for decades – never gets old.
