What Should a New Roof on a 1930s Semi in Cardiff Include?

Around Heath, Whitchurch, Rhiwbina, Llanishen and Cyncoed, many 1930s semis share the same hipped, tiled roofs with a front bay and a modest overhang. After this long, the original felt is usually perished and the battens are tired. A good new roof replaces everything that keeps the weather out, not just the visible tiles.

Tiles chosen to suit the house

Most semis of this period carry clay or concrete interlocking tiles, often in a plain red or brown. We match the profile and colour as closely as we can, so the house and the pair it shares a roofline with do not clash. If your neighbour has already re-roofed, we look at what they chose. A near match is better than a sharp contrast, and we bring samples so you can compare them against the existing roof in daylight.

What goes underneath

The part nobody sees matters most. New breathable underlay, treated battens and proper eaves support give the tiles a sound base. Original felt from this era has often failed completely, and old battens may be brittle. We also check the rafters and ceiling joists from the loft, and repair any section affected by old leaks before relaying. A new covering on damp timber would only trap the problem inside.

Hips, ridges, verges and the bay

A hipped roof has more joints than a plain gable, and each is a place where water finds a way in. We bed the ridge and hip tiles securely and fix the verges properly. The bay roof at the front is usually lower, with its own lead flashing, which needs renewing, since an old bay often causes damp patches above the window.

Ventilation, fascias and drainage

Insulated lofts need airflow or condensation forms in the roof space. We fit eaves vents and ridge or tile vents so the loft can breathe, which protects the timbers and keeps stored items dry. This is also the time to replace tired fascias, soffits and guttering, because the roof edge is easiest to reach with the scaffold up. A tidy new roof over failing gutters does not last, so we price the two together.

• Breathable underlay and new treated battens throughout.
• Renewed lead to bays, abutments and chimneys.
• Ridge, hip and verge details fixed securely.
• New fascias, soffits and gutters where needed.

Chimneys, extensions and planning the work

Many semis have a shared chimney stack or an extension roof that joins the main one. These junctions are checked and flashed, and any loose brickwork is dealt with first so the lead has something solid to seal against. Some work may need planning or Building Regulations checks — we advise before work starts. We walk through all of this with you at the survey, so there are no surprises once the scaffold is up.

Why Choose T & T Roofing South Wales

We're new roof installation specialists covering South Wales, using premium tile and slate roofing systems and honest advice — not a generic call-out. Every job starts with a free quotation and guaranteed workmanship throughout.