EPDM Rubber Roofing › Caerphilly › Guide
Flat roofs on garages, kitchen extensions and porches are common across Caerphilly, and the covering is a frequent question. EPDM and felt are the two options most people hear about. They differ in material, in how many joints they need and in how they handle the detail work at the edges.
What each material is
EPDM is a single-ply synthetic rubber membrane. It comes in large sheets, is bonded to a sound deck with adhesive and finished with edge trims, upstands and corner details done by hand. We look at this on site rather than guessing from the road.
Felt is a bitumen-based covering applied in layers or strips, usually lapped and sealed at each join. It has a long history on flat roofs and can be perfectly reasonable when properly laid and maintained. Every roof in the area behaves a little differently.
Joints and where leaks start
Most flat roof leaks start at joints, edges and corners rather than in the middle of a sheet. EPDM can often be laid in one piece where the size allows, so there are fewer joints to go wrong. We explain what we find in plain terms before any work starts.
Felt relies on laps and seams across the roof. Each one is a place where the covering can open as the roof moves, and on a wet hillside town these weaknesses show up over time. It is worth getting it looked at before the next wet spell.
How they suit local roofs
Caerphilly's rear extensions, garage roofs beside post-war semis and small porches suit EPDM well, because they are small enough for one sheet and have simple shapes. Dormer flats are also good candidates. That is the sort of detail we check on every visit.
Very large or complicated roofs may need joins in either material, and we explain this honestly. Our Flat Roofing South Wales section covers other flat roof options if neither suits your building. Local weather makes this more of a concern than people expect.
- Garages and porches with simple shapes
- Rear kitchen and utility extensions
- Dormer flat roofs with simple shapes
- Small and medium flat roofs on terraces
The deck, falls and drainage
Neither covering will rescue a roof with a rotten deck or poor drainage. Water that ponds for long periods stresses any material, and weak boards flex under foot and open up joints in the membrane. We would rather tell you straight than sell you something unnecessary.
We check the boarding, the falls towards the outlet and the gutter or hopper, and replace or adjust things before laying anything. Insulation can be added at this stage too if the roof allows. It does not take long to check, and it saves guesswork.
Choosing for your roof
The honest answer depends on the roof: its size, shape, deck condition and what is wrong with the current covering. For many small and medium flat roofs EPDM is a sensible choice, but we look first. We look at this on site rather than guessing from the road.
Please do not walk on a flat roof you suspect is weak. Call us for a proper look and we will explain what we see. Work may need Building Regulations checks, and we advise before work starts. Every roof in the area behaves a little differently.
Need epdm rubber roofing in Caerphilly? See our epdm rubber roofing in Caerphilly page, or call 07766 547309.
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Common Questions
Is EPDM always better than felt?
Not always. It often suits small and medium flat roofs well because it needs fewer joints, but the deck condition and drainage matter more than the covering. We look at the roof before recommending. We explain what we find in plain terms before any work starts.
Can EPDM go over old felt?
Sometimes, depending on what is underneath. If the old covering and deck are sound it may be possible, otherwise it needs stripping first. We check on site and tell you what is sensible. It is worth getting it looked at before the next wet spell.
Does EPDM suit a Caerphilly extension?
Usually yes. Rear extensions are among the commonest EPDM jobs, thanks to simple shapes and sound decks. The wet climate makes fewer joints and well-formed details worth having. That is the sort of detail we check on every visit.
Get a Quote in Caerphilly
Tell us what the roof is doing in Caerphilly and we will look at it. Call 07766 547309, message us on WhatsApp or use the form below.