Flat Roofing in Newark: GRP Fibreglass and EPDM

Flat roofs have a reputation for leaking, but a well-laid modern flat roof should give you years of trouble-free service. Our flat roofing in Newark is built around two proven systems: GRP fibreglass and EPDM rubber. Will Hartley qualified in GRP fibreglass roofing over 20 years ago, and flat roofs have been a core part of the job ever since, on extensions, garages, dormers, porches and commercial buildings.

Whether your old felt roof has finally given up, you have a new extension that needs covering, or you just have a leak you cannot track down, you get a free, no-obligation quote with your options explained in plain English.

What is GRP roofing?

GRP stands for glass reinforced plastic, which most people know as fibreglass. On a roof, layers of glass fibre matting are bonded together with resin over a timber deck, then finished with a tough coloured topcoat. Once it cures, the whole roof is one seamless, rigid sheet.

That seamless finish is the big advantage. Most flat roof leaks start at a joint, a lap or a seam, and a GRP roof has none of those across the main area. It also:

• Stands up to foot traffic, so it suits balconies and roofs that need occasional access
• Handles awkward details neatly, such as upstands, roof lights and outlets, because the laminate is formed in place
• Needs very little maintenance, beyond keeping outlets clear and the surface free of debris

GRP roofs are commonly quoted as lasting 25 years or more when they are properly laid. The key words are properly laid: GRP is only as good as the preparation and the conditions on the day, which is why experience matters.

GRP roofing in Newark from a qualified installer

GRP is not forgiving of shortcuts. The deck has to be dry and sound, the resin has to be mixed to suit the temperature, and the laminate has to be laid at the right thickness with no air trapped inside. Get any of those wrong and the roof can crack, blister or delaminate within a few years.

Will qualified in GRP fibreglass roofing over 20 years ago and has been laying GRP roofs ever since. For GRP roofing in Newark and across Nottinghamshire, that means:

• Decks checked and replaced where needed, never covered over
• Laminating only in suitable weather, so the resin cures properly
• Proper edge trims and drainage details, finished to direct water into the gutters
• A tidy, even topcoat that looks as good as it performs

You can see some of our GRP roofs on our recent projects page.

EPDM rubber roofing

EPDM rubber roofing is the other system we fit. EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) is a synthetic rubber membrane, usually laid as a single sheet and bonded to the deck. On many roofs, that means no joints at all.

EPDM is quick to install, stays flexible in cold weather and copes well with the slight movement you get in timber roofs. It is a great choice for garages, outbuildings and larger, simple roofs without many details.

GRP vs EPDM vs felt

We will recommend whichever system suits your roof, your budget and how you use the space. For most house extensions, that is GRP.

Flat roof repairs

Not every flat roof needs replacing. We carry out flat roof repairs across Newark when the problem is local and the rest of the roof is sound. Common problems include:

• Ponding: water sitting in dips after rain, which speeds up wear and eventually finds a way in
• Blistering: bubbles in felt roofs where trapped moisture or air has lifted the layers
• Splits and cracks: usually around edges, upstands and where the roof meets a wall
• Failed flashings and trims: where the covering meets the house, a parapet or the gutter

If the deck is soft underfoot, the roof has been patched several times or ponding covers a large area, replacement is usually better value than another repair. We will tell you honestly which it is. For leaks on pitched roofs, see our roof repairs page, and if water is coming through the ceiling right now, call us or see our emergency roofing service.

Replacing a flat roof, step by step

Many flat roofs that need replacing are old felt roofs that have reached the end of their life. A typical replacement looks like this:

1. Strip the old covering. We remove the felt, or whatever is there, back to the timber deck.
2. Check and replace the deck. Any wet, soft or rotten boards are replaced with new decking so the new roof has a solid base.
3. Set the falls. We make sure the roof drains properly so water runs off rather than ponding.
4. Lay the new roof. GRP is laminated in place and finished with a topcoat, or EPDM is bonded down as a single sheet.
5. Fit trims and drainage. New edge trims, upstands and outlets are fitted, and gutters are checked so the water has somewhere to go.
6. Tidy up. We clear the site and leave everything clean.

We give you a realistic timeline on your quote, and GRP is only laid in suitable weather. If you are adding roof lights or changing the structure, it is worth checking the Planning Portal’s interactive guides and the government’s building regulations guidance, and we are happy to talk you through what applies.

Flat roofs for extensions, garages and dormers

We lay flat roofs on single-storey extensions, garages, dormers, porches, bay window tops and commercial buildings. Where a flat roof meets a pitched roof, we can deal with both, whether that is tiling around a dormer or a full new pitched roof. If you have a lean-to or conservatory that is too hot in summer and cold in winter, have a look at our conservatory roof replacement service.

A new flat roof is also a good time to sort out the edges. We can replace tired fascias, soffits and guttering at the same time, so the whole roofline is finished together.

Flat roofing in Newark and Nottinghamshire

We are based in Balderton and fit GRP and EPDM flat roofs across Newark-on-Trent, the surrounding villages and further afield in Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Cambridgeshire, including Peterborough. We are fully insured, and our work carries guarantees of up to 10 years, confirmed in writing on your quote.

For a free flat roofing quote in Newark, call 01636 499231 or send us the details and we will arrange a visit.