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Costed: Roofing

David Holmes, associate at AECOM, provides an overview of roofing costs

What type of roof covering to use is influenced by the pitch of the roof. One with a shallow pitch, below 30º of slope, will require ­consideration as to which type of roof covering to use. Commonly, roof tiles allow for a shallower pitch, sometimes as low as 12.5º for certain makes compared to 20 – 22.5º for selected slates.

The most common type of roofing tiles are made from cement or clay and are a popular choice particularly for modern homes. Cement tiles are cheaper, costing around 70p compared to a clay tile which is priced at around £1.20.

The difference in price reflects the durability of the tile. Cement tiles normally last ­bet­ween 40 and 50 years but clay are longer lasting, giving 50-100 years of wear.

Slate is often found on period or traditional homes. Its colour and texture, created by layering, provides an attractive aesthetic. Compared to tile roofs, natural slate has a longer lifespan, lasting 120 years or more. It is also more expensive, as more slates will be needed to cover the roof.

Taking care of any roof generally involves a yearly check-up looking for any damaged or missing tiles. Keeping gutters clear is also important. 

The rates below are a guide to roofing costs as at 2018 Q2.  No allowance is made for sundry or related preliminaries. VAT is excluded.

 

Typical residential roofing costs
Average cost to roof with plain tiles
Two bedroom terrace house £3,600-£5,800
Three bed semi-detached house £4,500-£7,000
Four bed detached house £5,500-£8,750
 
Prices in £/m2
 
Flat roof: Systems
Includes insulation (U-value = 0.25W/m2K) and vapour barriers as necessary; excludes decking
Single layer polymer roofing membrane; insulation £84-100
Single layer polymer roofing membrane; tapered insulation £140-170
20 mm thick polymer modified asphalt roofing including underlay £96-115
High performance bitumen felt roofing system £94-110
High performance polymer modified bitumen membrane £110-130
Kingspan KS1000TD composite single ply roof panels for roof pitches greater than 0.7° (after deflection); 1.5mm single ply external covering, internal
Coating bright white polyester (steel) £63-76
 
Pitched roof: Tiles or slates
Includes reinforced underlay and battens as necessary; excludes roof structure
Natural Welsh slate tiles £196-230 
Natural Spanish slate tiles £120-150 
Synthetic slate tiles £70-90 
Reconstituted stone slate tiles; random slates £190-230 
Clay pantiles £52-60 
Clay tiles; handmade; sand-faced plain tiles £88-150 
Concrete tiles; interlocking; troughed / bold rolled £40-65 
Concrete tiles; plain £38-65
Fibre cement slates £42-60 
Red Cedar sawn shingles; preservative treated; uniform length £75-95
 
Average cost to roof with slates
Two bedroom terrace house £3,900-£6,000
Three bed semi-detached house £4,800-£6,900
Four bed detached house £6,200-£11,000

Pitched roof: Sheet metal
Includes breather membrane, underlay or vapour barrier as necessary; excludes roof structure
Copper sheet; mill finish; flat seam or wood rolled £190-235
Copper standing seam roof; mill finish £180-225
Extra for pre-patinated copper finish £40-70
Aluminium sheet; mill finish; wood roll; insulation (U-value = 0.25WK) £80-135
Aluminium sheet; standing seam; mill finish; insulation (U-value = 0.25WK) £80-140
Extra for Pvf2 aluminium finish £10-20
Stainless steel; terne coated sheet £170-200
Lead roof covering; code 7; welded seam; milled lead; laid flat £160-180
Lead roof covering; code 7; welded seam; milled lead, pitched roof £160-200
Zinc; Natural Bright Rheinzink; pitched £120-150
Extra for pre-weathered zinc £20-30
 

Pitched roof: Fibre-cement sheet
Excludes roof structure
Profile 6 fibre cement; single skin; natural grey finish £28-40 
Insulated system (U-value = 0.25WK); Profile 6 fibre cement 
external skin; metal lining panel internally £55-80
Extra for coloured fibre cement £1.75-2.25
Double skin GRP translucent sheeting £60-75 
Triple skin GRP translucent sheeting £70-90 
 
Landscape roof
Excludes decking
Extensive sedum type flat roof; growing medium; waterproof layer; 
separation layer; low maintenance £240-320 
Extensive rockery type green flat roof for rockery type plants; 
growing medium;  waterproof layer; separation layer; low maintenance £225-350 

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