On Sun, 25 Jan 2004 22:06:51 -0000, "Peter Balcombe"
wrote:

OK so I am cheating as I don't like heights and will get the job done for me
but I would still like some advice.

I have a large rear flat roof loft extension (roof circa 22 foot by 18
foot) which was constructed in 1980 making my semi detached bungalow into a
two storey building. It was reroofed about 7-8 years ago and is currently in
good condition. I had left it too long and got leakage so the work involved
replacement of boards, insulation etc. I am anxious not to leave it too long
again and as I have insurance policies due to mature within the next year am
adding recovering the roof to the list of projects.

The roof is currently covered in bitumen felt which I understand to have a
life of 10-15 years. I note that firms installing fibreglass flat roofs talk
of a 25 year life. As I am 57 I am attracted to the prospect of not having
to bother with flat roof repairs again in my life!

My questions are :-

Are fibre glass roofs as durable and problem free as claimed? Are there any
downsides?

What would be a realistic budget cost - I live on the fringes of Norwich?

National company or local roofing contractor?

There is a very slight fall on the roof and to date I have only had problems
when the felt failed rather than from water creep.


We had a flat roof over a garage and part of the house recovered in
fibreglass early in 2000 and I am quite happy with it. But I should
be at the price as it is not cheap when done on behalf of Polyroof.
However they give a 20 year insurance backed guarantee which can be
transferred, subject to inspection, on sale.
Polyroof's HQ is in Flintshire and I think that they have
agencies around the UK. We had a look at some local examples of their
workmanship before placing our order.
As with other types of garage covering, I think the cost
depends significantly on the nature and condition of the existing
roof. Ours was covered in thick waterproof plywood when the previous
felt covering was put on and was only deemed to need a further thin
layer of plywood to provide a suitable foundation for the fibreglass.
A quotation is the only reliable way to get an estimate of price but I
would expect you would be talking about something in the region of £40
per square metre.