Flat Roofing London — Installation, Repairs & Replacement
Covers Of London provides flat roofing across the capital — from single-storey kitchen extensions in Hackney to large commercial buildings in the City. We install, repair and replace every type of flat roof using EPDM rubber, GRP fibreglass, torch-on felt and single-ply membrane systems. All work is carried out by our own tradespeople, guaranteed for up to 10 years, and backed by full public liability insurance.
30+
YEARS IN THE TRADE
3,500+
PROJECTS COMPLETED
24hr
EMERGENCY CALL-OUT
10yr
WORK GUARANTEE
Flat roofs are everywhere in London. They sit on top of rear extensions, above garages and porches, on bay windows, dormers, balconies and commercial units from Hackney to Hammersmith. And the majority of them will need attention at some point — because flat roofs, by their nature, take a hammering from the weather and have nowhere to shed water quickly.
The trouble is, a lot of flat roofs across London were installed using outdated materials or poor workmanship. We regularly strip back roofs that were laid with a single layer of felt over rotten timber, or find EPDM membranes that were never properly bonded at the edges. These are the roofs that leak within a few years and leave homeowners frustrated.
We do things differently. Every flat roof we install starts with a proper structural assessment. We check the timber deck, verify the falls are adequate for drainage, and specify the right system for the building and the budget. Then we carry out the work ourselves — no sub-contractors, no agency labour.
FLAT ROOFING SYSTEMS
Flat Roofing Systems We Install
We work with every major flat roofing system on the market. The right choice depends on your property, how the roof will be used, and what you want to spend.
EPDM Rubber Roofing
EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) is a synthetic rubber membrane that has become the go-to system for residential flat roofs in the UK. It arrives in large sheets — often big enough to cover an entire roof in one piece — which means fewer joints and fewer potential leak points. A properly installed EPDM roof can last 30 years or more with virtually no maintenance required.
We use branded EPDM systems from established manufacturers and fully adhere the membrane to the timber deck rather than simply laying it loose. This matters. A loose-laid membrane can shift in high winds, wrinkle over time, and trap moisture beneath it. Full adhesion eliminates those risks. EPDM is the system we recommend most often for extensions, garages and porches across Islington, Stoke Newington, Walthamstow and the surrounding boroughs.
GRP Fibreglass Roofing
GRP (glass reinforced polyester) creates a hard, seamless shell over the entire roof surface. It is applied as a liquid resin over layers of glass fibre matting, then cured to form a single waterproof membrane with no joints whatsoever. Once cured, GRP is strong enough to walk on regularly, which makes it the preferred choice for balconies, roof terraces and any flat roof that needs to bear foot traffic.
GRP needs to be applied in dry, mild conditions — it will not cure properly in damp or cold weather. That is one reason it costs more than EPDM. But the finished surface is extremely tough, resistant to UV and impact damage, and carries manufacturer guarantees of 20 to 25 years. We install GRP systems on properties across London, from Victorian terraces in Camden and Dalston to new-build developments in Stratford and Romford.
Torch-On Felt & Built-Up Felt Systems
Modern torch-on felt bears little resemblance to the three-layer felt systems that gave flat roofing a bad name in the 1980s and 1990s. Today’s modified bitumen felts are robust, UV-stable and come with manufacturer-backed guarantees of 15 to 20 years when installed correctly. We use two and three-layer torch-on systems with polyester reinforcement — not the cheap single-layer products that some contractors still offer. Felt remains a cost-effective solution for garage roofs and outbuildings, and performs well on larger commercial roofs where budget is a factor. It is also the only system that can be applied in colder temperatures, which makes it useful for winter projects when GRP is not an option.
Single-Ply Membrane & Liquid Applied Systems
Single-ply membranes — typically PVC or TPO — are mechanically fastened or fully adhered to the roof deck and heat-welded at the seams. They are widely specified on commercial flat roofs and larger residential projects where speed of installation matters. We also install liquid-applied waterproofing systems, which are brushed or rolled on and cure to form a seamless, flexible membrane. These are particularly useful on roofs with complex shapes, multiple penetrations, or difficult detailing where sheet membranes would require extensive cutting and welding. We will always advise on the most appropriate system for your property rather than default to whichever product we happen to stock.
Flat Roof Repairs Across London
Not every flat roof needs stripping and replacing. In many cases, a targeted repair is all that is required — provided the underlying structure and the bulk of the membrane are still in good condition. We carry out flat roof repairs on all system types, including patch repairs to torn or punctured membranes, re-sealing of failed seams and laps, treatment of blistering and cracking, clearance of blocked outlets causing ponding water, and replacement of damaged or degraded edge trims. Where the cause of the problem is not immediately visible, we use drone surveys and, where necessary, internal inspection of the roof void to trace the water path accurately before quoting.
Warm Roof Upgrades & Flat Roof Insulation
If you are having a flat roof replaced, current Building Regulations (Approved Document Part L) require that insulation is upgraded to meet modern thermal performance standards. This is not optional — it is a legal requirement and must be signed off by Building Control. We install warm roof systems where the insulation sits above the timber deck, beneath the waterproof membrane. This approach keeps the deck warm, eliminates condensation risk within the roof structure, and can noticeably reduce heating bills — particularly on older London properties where the original flat roof had little or no insulation at all. We handle Building Control notifications and sign-off as part of the project.
APPLICATIONS
Where We Install Flat Roofs in London
Flat roofs serve a wide range of purposes across London properties. The applications we handle most frequently include:
House extensions — rear extensions, side returns, wrap-arounds and kitchen extensions. The most common flat roofing job in London by a considerable margin.
Garages & outbuildings — single and double garages, garden rooms, workshops. Often the first flat roof on a property to fail.
Balconies & roof terraces — GRP fibreglass systems with anti-slip finishes for accessible walkable roof areas.
Dormer roofs & bay windows — smaller but critical areas that often require lead or GRP detailing to prevent water ingress.
Commercial buildings — offices, schools, retail units and warehouse roofs across London and into Essex and Hertfordshire.
WHY LONDON PROPERTIES NEED SPECIALIST FLAT ROOFING
Why London Properties Need Specialist Flat Roofing
London throws particular challenges at flat roofs that other parts of the country simply do not face to the same degree. The sheer density of the housing stock means many flat roofs sit between party walls, behind parapets, or tucked into awkward junctions with neighbouring properties — all of which make access difficult and drainage critical. Victorian and Edwardian terraces across Hackney, Islington, Southwark and Lambeth were never designed with flat-roofed extensions in mind, but generations of homeowners have added them. The structural timbers in these older properties often need reinforcing before a new roof can be installed. We understand these buildings because we work on them every week.
Access is another factor. Terraced houses with narrow side returns, properties fronting busy roads in Tottenham or Lewisham, or buildings hemmed in by scaffolding restrictions in conservation areas — all require planning and experience that a general roofer may not have. We deal with these constraints routinely and factor them into our quotes upfront, not as extras afterwards.
Emergency Flat Roof Repairs — 24-Hour Call-Out Across London
A flat roof failure rarely happens at a convenient time. Storm damage, sudden membrane splits, blocked outlets causing flooding — these situations need dealing with immediately, not next Tuesday.
We operate a 24-hour emergency flat roof repair service covering all London boroughs, plus Enfield, Barking, Ilford, Cheshunt, Hertford and surrounding areas. When you call, we will get a team to your property as fast as possible — typically within the hour. The first priority is always to stop the water and make the roof safe. We then arrange a full survey and permanent repair at a time that works for you.
If you need to claim on your buildings insurance, we provide a written damage report with photographic and drone evidence, along with a detailed quotation for the works. We deal with insurers and loss adjusters on a regular basis and know what documentation they require.
Customer Reviews
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FAQS
Flat Roofing London — Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a new flat roof cost in London?
Costs depend on the size of the roof, the system you choose, and how straightforward access is. As a rough guide, EPDM rubber roofing typically costs £50 to £90 per square metre, GRP fibreglass runs £80 to £130 per square metre, and felt systems sit at £40 to £70 per square metre. A typical London kitchen extension roof of around 20 to 25 square metres might cost between £1,800 and £3,200 including materials, labour and VAT. We provide detailed, itemised quotes after a free survey — the price we agree is the price you pay.
What is the best flat roofing material?
There is no single best material — it depends on the application. EPDM rubber is the most popular choice for residential flat roofs because it offers excellent durability at a reasonable cost. GRP fibreglass is stronger and better suited to walkable areas like balconies and roof terraces. Felt is the most affordable option and works well on garages and outbuildings. We will assess your property and recommend the most suitable system rather than push whatever happens to be cheapest or most profitable for us.
How long does a flat roof last?
A well-installed EPDM flat roof should last 30 years or more. GRP fibreglass systems typically last 25 to 30 years. Modern torch-on felt can last 15 to 20 years. Cheaper single-layer felt may only last 8 to 12 years. The quality of installation matters as much as the material itself — a premium membrane installed badly will fail far sooner than a standard membrane installed correctly.
Do I need Building Regulations approval for a flat roof replacement?
If you are replacing more than 25% of the roof covering, or if the replacement involves any structural changes, you will need to comply with Building Regulations — particularly Part L, which sets thermal performance standards. In practice, most full flat roof replacements in London now require an insulation upgrade. We handle the Building Control notification and ensure the work is signed off correctly as part of the project.
Can you repair my existing flat roof rather than replace it?
In many cases, yes. If the membrane is in reasonable overall condition and the damage is localised — a split seam, a puncture, a small area of blistering — a targeted repair can extend the roof’s life by several years. However, if the membrane is degraded across large areas, or if the underlying timber deck has rotted, a full replacement is the more sensible long-term investment. We will always be upfront about which option makes more sense for your situation.
What areas of London do you cover for flat roofing?
We are based in Hackney and cover every London borough. We also work regularly in areas just outside the M25 including Romford, Ilford, Barking and Dagenham in Essex, and Cheshunt, Hertford and Hoddesdon in Hertfordshire. If you are unsure whether we cover your area, call us and we will confirm.
How quickly can you respond to an emergency flat roof leak?
We aim to have someone on site within the hour for genuine emergencies across London. The first visit focuses on stopping the water and securing the roof. We then arrange a full inspection and permanent repair within a few days. Our emergency line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 0208 0643801.
Get a free flat roofing quote
Whether you need an emergency flat roof repair tonight or you are planning a new flat roof for an extension next year, we are ready to talk. Leave your details and we will be back in touch within the hour during working hours.
