Flat Roofing
At Roofing Supplies 4u we offer information for a large range of flat roofing waterproofing materials, including Roll and Pour, Torch on roofing, Fibre Glass Roofing, Liquid Rubber, EPDM, Torch safe felt and Enviroflex, all of which are supplied by top UK brand suppliers.
Flat roofs aren’t what they used to be – the old felt that bubbled and cracked after a few years has been replaced by materials that’ll last decades if fitted correctly. Each type works better for different jobs, whether you’re covering a domestic garage, an extension, or a commercial building.
EPDM rubber membrane is popular with DIYers and professionals. It’s straightforward to install, comes in large sheets that cut down on seams, and handles British weather well. Liquid rubber systems work brilliantly for awkward shapes or roofs with lots of penetrations – you paint it on, so there’s no heat needed.
The main thing with any flat roof is good preparation and making sure water drains away. Even a “flat” roof needs a slight fall, or ponding water will cause problems.
Pitched Roofing
We supply all forms of roofing products throughout the UK. We also have a wealth of knowledge in low Pitched Roofing which is becoming more and more prevelant with extensions and conversions nowadays.
Slate and tile roofing still covers most UK houses – done right, these roofs last a century or more. Whether you’re restoring a period property with natural slate or fitting modern concrete tiles on a new build, the specification matters.
Natural slate has that classic look, though it costs more than most alternatives. Spanish and Welsh slate are common, each with their own character. Concrete tiles have improved a lot – some modern interlocking systems keep water out well whilst being cheaper.
Clay tiles sit in the middle, offering an authentic look with good longevity. They’re common in certain regions as part of the local building style.
Low-pitched roofing is becoming more common with modern extensions where people want maximum ceiling height inside whilst keeping the external profile low. These roofs need careful waterproofing – you can’t use standard tiles below a certain pitch, so you need specific low-pitch tiles or move into flat roofing territory. Getting the detailing right around valleys, abutments, and flashings makes the difference between a roof that performs well and one that’s a constant headache.
Roofing Insulation
We supply a wide range insulation products including Earthwool Fibre Glass, Pitched Roof Boards and Flat Roof Boards with thickness’s varying from 12mm to 200mm from trusted manufacturers.
Insulation isn’t just about heating bills – it’s required under current Building Regulations. The standards keep getting tougher, which is good for comfort and running costs, but means you need thicker insulation than you might have used a decade ago.
For pitched roofs, you install insulation between and over the rafters for a warm roof, or lay it across the ceiling joists for a cold roof. Earthwool is popular because it’s easier to handle than traditional fibreglass – no itching, less irritating – whilst giving decent thermal performance.
Flat roofs need rigid insulation boards that sit above the deck and support the waterproofing layer. PIR (polyisocyanurate) boards give you the best thermal performance for the thickness, which helps when you’re tight on height. You need to get the U-value right – that’s the measure of how much heat passes through – and you’re aiming for 0.18 W/m²K or better for most applications.
The thickness depends on what you’re trying to achieve and what else is in the build-up. Sometimes you need multiple layers, and it’s worth getting someone to run the calculations rather than guessing. Getting it wrong means either failing Building Control or spending more than needed on thicker boards.