Roofing Materials

The JB Western Red Cedar Shingles from Marley are a lightweight roofing and cladding solution with a high degree of natural thermal insulation. Treated with MicroPro® clear preservative to retain the natural look of Cedar, they weather beautifully to blend into the natural environment. Cedar shingles are becoming an increasingly popular energy efficient roofing material due to their sustainability advantages and natural... Slate is a natural material with unmatched technical features that will last well over 100 years. In fact, it’s usually the fixings and the supporting timbers that deteriorate before the slate tiles themselves.
How do you insulate a loft and slash your heating bills? Our experts explain what you need to know, the pitfalls to avoid, and offer tips on hiring a trusted builder. Your gutters should be sized according to local rainfall and roof area demands, with larger half-round or deepflow profiles increasing capacity. Maintain steeps falls towards the downpipes, adding extra outlets on long runs and using leaf guards or hoppers near trees, to keep gullies clear. Well-detailed eaves keep water away from the fabric of your home and protect the roof edge from wind and wildlife. Good choices reduce maintenance, prevent damp, and improve kerb appeal.
Our guide covers everything you need to know, including cost breakdowns and key factors to consider. Experienced roofers and builders use safe access, harnesses and the correct ladders or scaffolds. They can deploy drone surveys to capture close-up images of ridges, valleys and chimneys without foot traffic that could damage coverings. Unless you have the proper experience and equipment, you should avoid climbing on roofs. Steel is light and versatile, often supplied as ridged sheets. It goes on quickly, works well over long spans, and suits modern extensions and outbuildings.
Choose a tough protective finish for coastal or windy areas, and add an underlayer to soften rain noise. How to choose the right loft hatch and ladder Whether you use your loft space regularly or not, it’s important to have a safe point of entry. A proper loft hatch, as opposed to a simple board, offers much greater convenience and ease of access to the loft, especially when fitted with a loft ladder. Approached by our customer P Pope to provide a Velux roof window donation for the charity St George’s Crypt, we were happy to assist. It's helped to create a ‘working workshop’ facility to be used by up to 20 people in Leeds. Mention St George’s Crypt to anyone in Leeds and they’ll probably know who you’re talking about.
Natural slate roof tiles are made from fine-grained, foliated, homogeneous metamorphic rock derived from shale-type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash. The fact that they don’t absorb water makes it unaffected by freezing temperatures. Installing a felt roof is an easy and cost effective way to protect a shed, garage, or flat roof. Roof felt is pliable and can be fitted nicely against pitched and curved roofs, it’s applied in layers and covered with a waterproof material which should give you upwards of 20 years protection. If you’ve got VELUX roof windows in your bedroom, you’ll know how great they are at making the room bright and airy. But of course, there are times of day when you want to adjust the incoming light or block it out completely ready for sleep.
Everything should be clean and tidy before being handed over. To fix your materials to the roof, use corrosion-resistant nails or specified clips and graded battens, with a quality breathable underlay laid with proper laps and sealing. Green roofs are typically covered in sedum – a self-propagating succulent, or meadow flowers, which are grown in modular trays. They offer aesthetic appeal, aid biodiversity, and are sustainable. Green roofs may require structural checks due to their weight. Fibre-cement slates are a cheaper and lighter option that provide the same look.
Search for a vetted and inspected roofer in your local area. Pairing insulation with an effective VCL, airtight detailing, compatible membranes, and flashings means the whole system works as one.