Flat Roofing Materials & Uses

Each material has its own strengths and suitability. Take a look at some key points along with real activity from recent quote requests across Wales.

Felt Roofing (Torch-on or Cold-Applied)

A traditional and cost-effective flat roofing solution, available as torch-on or cold-applied systems.

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Affordable	Shorter lifespan than some alternatives
Widely available	Vulnerable to UV damage
Easy to repair	Can crack over time

Common Uses

Garages
Extensions
Sheds

Common Repairs

Patching blistered felt
Replacing damaged laps
Re-bonding loose edges
Applying protective topcoat

DIY Repair Difficulty: Moderate

Safety Advice: Requires working with hot bitumen or adhesives - PPE and fire safety precautions essential.

Recent jobs

Felt Roof Leak — St. Julians, Newport (8 Oct 2025)
Felt Roof Leak — Bigyn, Llanelli (7 Oct 2025)
Felt Edge Reseal — Jersey Marine, Neath (6 Oct 2025)

Popularity: 20% (123 req.)

Lifespan: 10–20 years

Maintenance: Inspect every 12 months

EPDM Rubber Roofing

A durable, synthetic rubber membrane with excellent weather resistance and minimal maintenance needs.

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Long lifespan	Can be punctured by sharp objects
Flexible in cold weather	Edges may lift without correct adhesive
Low maintenance

Common Uses

Extensions
Garden offices
Commercial roofs

Common Repairs

Sealing small punctures
Re-gluing lifted edges
Repairing split seams
Clearing blocked outlets

DIY Repair Difficulty: Easy–Moderate

Safety Advice: Low fire risk; avoid sharp footwear and tools that could puncture membrane.

Recent jobs

EPDM Puncture Repair — Llwydcoed, Aberdare (9 Oct 2025)
EPDM Puncture Repair — Penydarren, Merthyr Tydfil (8 Oct 2025)
EPDM Puncture Repair — Taibach, Port Talbot (6 Oct 2025)

Popularity: 14% (90 req.)

Lifespan: 25–30 years

Maintenance: Inspect every 12–18 months

GRP Fibreglass Roofing

A seamless, hard-wearing surface that is resistant to water and impact, ideal for small–medium roofs.

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Seamless finish	Requires dry, mild installation weather
Strong and impact-resistant	Can crack under movement if not laid properly
Low maintenance

Common Uses

Balconies
Dormer roofs
Garages

Common Repairs

Resin patching of small cracks
Re-coating worn areas
Re-bedding loose trims/flashings
Repairing pinholes

DIY Repair Difficulty: Specialist Required

Safety Advice: Resin fumes can be hazardous - requires PPE and good ventilation during application.

Recent jobs

GRP Topcoat Reseal — Highlight Park, Barry (10 Oct 2025)
GRP Topcoat Reseal — Cathays, Cardiff (5 Oct 2025)
GRP Topcoat Reseal — Mardy, Abergavenny (4 Oct 2025)

Popularity: 15% (93 req.)

Lifespan: 20–30 years

Maintenance: Inspect every 12 months

Single Ply PVC Membranes

Single-ply systems are lightweight and quick to install, often used on large commercial buildings.

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Lightweight	Less impact resistant
Fast installation	Requires specialist tools
Durable in commercial use	Not ideal for heavy foot traffic

Common Uses

Warehouses
Office blocks
Schools

Common Repairs

Puncture patching
Seam re-welding - hot-air gun
Replacing perimeter trims
Fixing membrane shrinkage

DIY Repair Difficulty: Specialist Required

Safety Advice: Requires specialist hot-air welding tools - not suitable for DIY without training.

Recent jobs

PVC Membrane Patch — Upper Bangor, Bangor (9 Oct 2025)
PVC Roof Seam Repair — Capel Dewi, Aberystwyth (8 Oct 2025)
Single Ply Leak Investigation — Merthyr Dyfan, Barry (7 Oct 2025)

Popularity: 11% (67 req.)

Lifespan: 20–35 years

Maintenance: Inspect every 12 months

Mastic Asphalt Roofing

A traditional, durable roofing material offering exceptional waterproofing and longevity.

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Very long lifespan	Heavy
Completely waterproof	Requires skilled application
Can be resurfaced	Can crack with structural movement

Common Uses

Bridges
Podiums
Large commercial roofs

Common Repairs

Filling surface cracks
Re-coating worn areas
Levelling sunken sections
Replacing damaged skirtings

DIY Repair Difficulty: Specialist Required

Safety Advice: Involves handling hot asphalt - high burn risk without correct training.

Recent jobs

Parapet Asphalt Crack — Glynneath, Neath (9 Oct 2025)
Asphalt Roof Leak — Sketty, Swansea (7 Oct 2025)
Parapet Asphalt Crack — Upper Bangor, Bangor (6 Oct 2025)

Popularity: 14% (89 req.)

Lifespan: 30–50 years

Maintenance: Inspect every 18–24 months

Metal Roofing (Aluminium, Zinc, Steel)

Long-lasting and highly weather-resistant roofing, available in several metal types and finishes.

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Extremely durable	Can be noisy in rain
Low maintenance	Higher upfront cost
Lightweight	May dent from impact

Common Uses

Industrial buildings
Modern extensions
Agricultural sheds

Common Repairs

Replacing corroded/dented panels
Sealing loose fixings or rivets
Applying anti-rust treatment
Repairing split seams or joints

DIY Repair Difficulty: Specialist Required

Safety Advice: Risk of sharp edges and working at height - cut-resistant gloves recommended.

Recent jobs

Steel/Aluminium Roof Patch — East Rhyl, Rhyl (7 Oct 2025)
Steel/Aluminium Roof Patch — Aberdulais, Neath (6 Oct 2025)
Steel/Aluminium Roof Patch — Glyntaff, Pontypridd (6 Oct 2025)

Popularity: 13% (84 req.)

Lifespan: 30–60 years

Maintenance: Inspect every 12 months

Corrugated Sheets (Bitumen, Metal, Fibre Cement)

A lightweight, low-cost option for outbuildings, available in bitumen, metal or fibre cement sheets.

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Low cost	Lower durability
Quick to install	Can crack or rust over time
Available in translucent options	Not ideal for large domestic roofs

Common Uses

Sheds
Carports
Workshops

Common Repairs

Replacing cracked/rusted sheets
Re-sealing laps with mastic
Tightening/replacing fixings
Replacement sheets for light

DIY Repair Difficulty: Easy–Moderate

Safety Advice: Fragile roof risk - always use crawling boards when walking on fibre cement.

Recent jobs

Fibre Cement Leak — Nantgaredig, Carmarthen (9 Oct 2025)
Fibre Cement Leak — Velindre, Port Talbot (6 Oct 2025)
Corrugated Sheet Replacement — Johnston, Haverfordwest (6 Oct 2025)

Popularity: 13% (84 req.)

Lifespan: 10–30 years

Maintenance: Inspect every 12 months

Note: Popularity is based on recent quote requests mentioning each material (last 180 days). It’s indicative, not a guarantee of suitability. Always obtain professional advice for your specific roof.