Garage roof replacement and repairs
Most garage roofs we replace are old felt on a chipboard deck that has gone soft, or corrugated cement sheets that have cracked and leak. We strip them, replace rotten timbers, and put on a new roof in GRP, EPDM rubber or modern sheeting. If a roof might contain asbestos, it is tested before anyone touches it.
Asbestos in garage roofs
Many garages built before 2000 have roof sheets made of asbestos cement, the grey corrugated sheets common on prefabricated garages. Asbestos cement in good condition is low risk while left alone, but cutting, breaking or jet-washing it releases fibres.
If your garage roof might be asbestos cement, we have a sample tested first. If it is, the sheets are removed carefully by people trained to the Health and Safety Executive's guidance, wrapped and taken to a site licensed to accept asbestos, before we fit the new roof. Some asbestos materials need a licensed contractor; the test result tells us which applies.
Choosing the new garage roof
- EPDM rubber: one sheet on a new deck, quick to lay and ideal on a simple rectangular garage
- GRP fibreglass: a seamless, hard surface if the roof is overlooked or gets walked on
- Torch-on felt: a traditional choice on larger garage blocks
- Profiled sheeting: for concrete sectional garages, new steel or fibre cement sheets on the existing frame
Garages attached to the house
An integral or attached garage roof often has a wall abutment with the house, and the detail where the two meet, the upstand and flashing, is where most leaks start. If there is a room above or behind the garage, the roof may also need insulating to a higher standard. We check both before quoting.
Garage roofs: questions people ask
How do I know if my garage roof is asbestos?
You cannot tell for certain by looking. Grey corrugated or flat cement sheets on a garage built before 2000 may contain asbestos. A sample sent to an accredited laboratory is the only way to know, so do not drill, cut or break the sheets in the meantime.
Can a garage roof be replaced in a day?
A single garage with a simple flat roof can often be stripped and re-roofed in one or two days, weather permitting. Asbestos removal, rotten joists or a larger roof add time.
Do I need planning permission to replace a garage roof?
Like-for-like replacement usually does not. Changing a flat roof to pitched, raising the height or converting the garage into a room may need permission and Building Regulations approval.
Is it worth insulating a garage roof?
If the garage is only used for storage, insulation is optional. If it is a workshop, gym or utility, or there is a heated room beside it, insulating as a warm roof is worth it and avoids condensation dripping inside.
Tell us what is happening with your roof
Call, or send a few details and a photo if you have one. We will come back to you, arrange a visit and give you a written quote before any work starts.