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==Roofing Materials - Weatherproofing overview==
The visible topmost roofing layer determines appearance & life expectancy. It also affects the survival of the timber roof structure. Here are some popular British roof types.


When it comes to weatherproofing, the most important part of a roofing system is the topmost layer. This is the visible surface we see when looking at the roof of a building, which is designed to protect the structure from the elements. It’s not only protection that’s important but also the appearance of such materials, as there’s nothing worse than having to look at an ugly roof!
===Clay Tile===
Clay tiles were most popular before the widespread use of slate. There are the earlier half round (split pipe efectively) and later flatter interlocking types. The most popular colour is the traditional red terra cotta.


We’ve put together five of the most popular roofing materials used that are both good for weatherproofing but also aesthetically pleasing (when done right).  
Rows overlap, and the top is waterproofed with ridge tiles.


===Clay Tile===
===Concrete Tile===
Clay is what has been used for many years to create the traditional roof tile look that we have become so accustomed to throughout the residential streets of the UK. It’s the most popular roofing solutions that can be seen across almost every roofscape in cities, towns and villages. The most popular colour of these tiles is the traditional red, which appears to be a shade of brown/orange. These are designed to be interlocking, meaning that they are placed in a row one overlapping the next, with the next row placed on top until they are sealed at the top, which is known as the ridgeline with specially designed ridge tiles. This allows water to simply flow over one onto the next without the worry of moisture getting in.
Popular & widespread, these are much cheaper than clay or slate. Available in many colour variants. Like any tile they have a minimum slope requirement. Used below this the top surface degrades faster due to freze-thaw cycles, exposing bare concrete covered with biofilm.  
 
Sometimes concrete tiles have been fitted to originally slated roofs, which were never designed to carry the greater weight. Visibly sagging roofs are a warning flag, failing timber is another cause.


===Thatch===
===Thatch===
This attractive alternative to solid roofing has become a symbol of countryside cottages not only in the UK but throughout many other countries as well such as Denmark. It’s the process of layering plant stalks on top of each other to create a weatherproof roof, helping to keep water out and heat in. It’s a very old method of roofing and also convenient if you’re constructing homes in countries where lack of resource or funds may limit the use of hard roofing. The plants used can include rushes, reed and straw, which are then carefully and skillfully installed using age old techniques with excellent results. Thatch can be easily incorporated into new builds, adding a traditional charm that tile just can’t accomplish.
This attractive alternative to solid roofing has become a symbol of countryside cottages not only in the UK. It’s the process of layering plant stalks on top of each other to create a weatherproof roof with good insulation. It’s an ancient method of roofing and still is popular in countries which lack resources or funds for hard roofing. The plants used can include rushes, reed and straw, life expectancy varies fairly widely depending on the material.
 
Maintenance cost is high, a complete rethatch is needed at some point, thatchers are in short supply, thatch is a fire risk, extra electrical precautions such as using MICC cable are wise, and expect high insurance premiums. You will pay for the charm. Thatch is rarely seen on new builds due to the cost & safety issues.
 
Most thatched roof coverings have been replaced with tile. These are easily spotted, as thatch requires a much steeper roof pitch than any hard roof covering.


===Membrane Roofing===
===Felt Roof===
Membrane roofing or felt is mainly used for flat roofs & sheds. It's very light compared to clay tiles or slate, and on flat roofs is sealed across the surface keeping water out. It’s a popular choice for large commercial buildings with flat roofs and also domestic premises. Many older terraced homes have a kitchen or bathroom at the rear with a flat membrane roof. New builds also incorporate it on garages and parts of the home that have only one level.  
Membrane roofing or felt is mainly used for flat roofs & sheds. It's very light compared to clay tiles or slate, and on flat roofs is sealed across the surface keeping water out. It’s a popular choice for large commercial buildings with flat roofs and domestic premises. Many old terraced homes have a kitchen or bathroom at the rear with a flat membrane roof. New builds also incorporate it on garages and parts of the home that have only one level.  


There are various types of membrane materials from the cheapest bitumen & rag to modified bitumen with synthetic fibre, EPDM synthetic rubber etc.
There are various types of membrane materials from the cheapest bitumen & rag to modified bitumen with synthetic fibre, EPDM synthetic rubber etc.


Felt is the shortest lived of domestic roofing options, and failure tends to rot the supporting timber deck. It's easily holed by walking on it. Never tread on felt topped with stones.
Felt is the shortest lived of domestic roofing options, and failure tends to rot the supporting timber deck. It's easily holed by walking on it. Never tread on felt topped with stones.
Only some felt types are permitted to be used on housing, cheaper shorter lived types are permitted for sheds. EPDM is incompatible with bitumen, the deck must be stripped off if bitumen was previously used.


===Slate===
===Slate===
Slate roofing works along the same kind of lines and standard roofing tiles, the main difference being that they are completely flat and not curved for interlocking. This is due to the slate being naturally sourced piece by piece and not forged by hand. The downside to this is that slate can be very expensive but there are many upsides to make up for the price. Slate is naturally fireproof and very low maintenance, as it is 100% naturally formed, so it naturally puts up with the elements. Slate also has a very long life span and of course can be very attractive to look at, making it ideal for modern, traditional and also commercial buildings. It is very fragile, so always seek professional installers to avoid potential wastage.
Slate tiles are completely flat as they are split from blocks of quarried slate. Slate can be expensive. It's natural, fireproof and very low maintenance, it naturally puts up with the elements. Good quality slate has a very long life span, cheap types not so much. It's attractive to look at. It is fragile, load needs to be spread when climbing on the roof. Installion is not complex, but bodgers have made mistakes like fitting narrow slates where there is sideways water movement.
 
Old slate roofs can appear ok to the nonexpert, yet require a lot of work or complete replacement. Fake slates don't last as well and may contain asbestos.
 
===Shingle===
Wood shingles are uncommon on housing, and only occasionally seen on outbuildings. The tiles are split wood, and life expectancy depends on the wood species.
 
Asphalt Shingles are a cheap roofing option most popular in America. The base material is fiberglass or organic. Added materials can include ceramic granules and vitrified brick, which adds to the colour. They perform well against moisture, sunlight and strong winds, but have limited life.
 
===Stone===
Heavy stone roofing (not slate which can be split thin) is primarily used on outhouses where roof span is small enough to be bridged by single stone slabs. It's use on whole houses is uncommon, and requires a very heavy supporting structure.


===Asphalt Shingle===
''The original article was written by:'' our friends at [http://www.topseal.co.uk www.topseal.co.uk]
While we were busy finishing our homes with clay tiles, thatch and slate in the early 20th century, our American friends across the pond were busy inventing a cheaper means to protect their homes. This was eventually invented in the form of Asphalt Shingle, which was a success due to its low production cost. Creation involves one of two bases, one fiberglass and one organic. A number of ingredients are then added to the mix giving each shingle protection from damaging UV light and special treatment, so they don’t stick together. These materials can include ceramic granules and vitrified brick, which also adds to the colour and once attached not only perform well against moisture and sunlight but also very strong winds.


===Copper===
Expensive & vulnerable to theft, copper ages to a showy green or brown. Primarily used on high ticket complex shaped roofs.


''This article was written by:'' our friends at [http://www.topseal.co.uk www.topseal.co.uk]
===Lead===
Much longer lasting than felt, but expensive & vulnerable to theft. Heavy. Mostly used for detailing on slate & tile roofs.


===Corrugated steel===
Not permitted on UK houses, but occasionally seen, this is more popular for outbuildings & industrial buildings. Available in various thicknesses, the thinnest of which are weak & short lived. Fairly tough, good price, and lasts decades. The sting is in the tail, it gets ugly when rusty, and rusted edges at head height are a hazard. Noisy in rain.


==See Also==
==See Also==

Latest revision as of 04:38, 20 February 2025

The visible topmost roofing layer determines appearance & life expectancy. It also affects the survival of the timber roof structure. Here are some popular British roof types.

Clay Tile

Clay tiles were most popular before the widespread use of slate. There are the earlier half round (split pipe efectively) and later flatter interlocking types. The most popular colour is the traditional red terra cotta.

Rows overlap, and the top is waterproofed with ridge tiles.

Concrete Tile

Popular & widespread, these are much cheaper than clay or slate. Available in many colour variants. Like any tile they have a minimum slope requirement. Used below this the top surface degrades faster due to freze-thaw cycles, exposing bare concrete covered with biofilm.

Sometimes concrete tiles have been fitted to originally slated roofs, which were never designed to carry the greater weight. Visibly sagging roofs are a warning flag, failing timber is another cause.

Thatch

This attractive alternative to solid roofing has become a symbol of countryside cottages not only in the UK. It’s the process of layering plant stalks on top of each other to create a weatherproof roof with good insulation. It’s an ancient method of roofing and still is popular in countries which lack resources or funds for hard roofing. The plants used can include rushes, reed and straw, life expectancy varies fairly widely depending on the material.

Maintenance cost is high, a complete rethatch is needed at some point, thatchers are in short supply, thatch is a fire risk, extra electrical precautions such as using MICC cable are wise, and expect high insurance premiums. You will pay for the charm. Thatch is rarely seen on new builds due to the cost & safety issues.

Most thatched roof coverings have been replaced with tile. These are easily spotted, as thatch requires a much steeper roof pitch than any hard roof covering.

Felt Roof

Membrane roofing or felt is mainly used for flat roofs & sheds. It's very light compared to clay tiles or slate, and on flat roofs is sealed across the surface keeping water out. It’s a popular choice for large commercial buildings with flat roofs and domestic premises. Many old terraced homes have a kitchen or bathroom at the rear with a flat membrane roof. New builds also incorporate it on garages and parts of the home that have only one level.

There are various types of membrane materials from the cheapest bitumen & rag to modified bitumen with synthetic fibre, EPDM synthetic rubber etc.

Felt is the shortest lived of domestic roofing options, and failure tends to rot the supporting timber deck. It's easily holed by walking on it. Never tread on felt topped with stones.

Only some felt types are permitted to be used on housing, cheaper shorter lived types are permitted for sheds. EPDM is incompatible with bitumen, the deck must be stripped off if bitumen was previously used.

Slate

Slate tiles are completely flat as they are split from blocks of quarried slate. Slate can be expensive. It's natural, fireproof and very low maintenance, it naturally puts up with the elements. Good quality slate has a very long life span, cheap types not so much. It's attractive to look at. It is fragile, load needs to be spread when climbing on the roof. Installion is not complex, but bodgers have made mistakes like fitting narrow slates where there is sideways water movement.

Old slate roofs can appear ok to the nonexpert, yet require a lot of work or complete replacement. Fake slates don't last as well and may contain asbestos.

Shingle

Wood shingles are uncommon on housing, and only occasionally seen on outbuildings. The tiles are split wood, and life expectancy depends on the wood species.

Asphalt Shingles are a cheap roofing option most popular in America. The base material is fiberglass or organic. Added materials can include ceramic granules and vitrified brick, which adds to the colour. They perform well against moisture, sunlight and strong winds, but have limited life.

Stone

Heavy stone roofing (not slate which can be split thin) is primarily used on outhouses where roof span is small enough to be bridged by single stone slabs. It's use on whole houses is uncommon, and requires a very heavy supporting structure.

The original article was written by: our friends at www.topseal.co.uk

Copper

Expensive & vulnerable to theft, copper ages to a showy green or brown. Primarily used on high ticket complex shaped roofs.

Lead

Much longer lasting than felt, but expensive & vulnerable to theft. Heavy. Mostly used for detailing on slate & tile roofs.

Corrugated steel

Not permitted on UK houses, but occasionally seen, this is more popular for outbuildings & industrial buildings. Available in various thicknesses, the thinnest of which are weak & short lived. Fairly tough, good price, and lasts decades. The sting is in the tail, it gets ugly when rusty, and rusted edges at head height are a hazard. Noisy in rain.

See Also

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