Fakenham Roofers carry out full roof replacements for homes in and around Burnham Market, helping homeowners choose the right materials for a lasting result.
Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
Once you have decided that a full roof replacement is necessary, the next decision is what to replace it with. The covering you choose affects cost, longevity, appearance and how much maintenance you will need over the life of the roof. There is no single right answer, and every material has genuine trade-offs worth understanding before you commit.
A full replacement is the point at which you get to start fresh, so it is worth taking the time to understand your options rather than defaulting to whatever was there before.
Whatever material you choose, the process is the same. The old covering is stripped back completely to the bare rafters. Every piece of structural timber - rafters, ridge board, hip rafters, battens - is inspected and any rotten or damaged sections are replaced. New breathable membrane underlay goes down across the rafters, new treated battens are fixed over it, and the chosen covering is then hung and fixed into those battens.
Flashings at chimneys, parapet walls and any roof-to-wall junctions are replaced at the same time. Lead is the standard material for flashings and the correct code (thickness) matters. Skimping on flashing detail is one of the most common reasons a replacement roof develops a leak within a few years of being laid.
Soffits and fascias are often replaced at the same time as the roof, since the scaffold is already up and the old boards are frequently rotted or damaged. It is worth discussing this with your roofer at the quoting stage.
Natural slate is one of the longest-lasting roofing materials available. Welsh slate and Spanish slate are the two most common sources used in the UK. Welsh slate, where available, is harder and longer-lasting; Spanish slate is more widely available and typically less expensive, though it varies in quality by quarry.
Pros: Can last 80-150 years in good condition. Looks excellent on period properties. Adds to kerb appeal and resale value. Relatively low maintenance once correctly laid.
Cons: Higher material cost than concrete or fibre cement. Heavier than most alternatives, which can require structural checks on older properties. Requires a roofer experienced in slate work to lay correctly. Sourcing matching slate for future localised repairs can be difficult if the quarry stops production.
Natural slate is a strong choice for older properties where the original covering was slate, or where matching a neighbouring property matters. In conservation areas, it may be the only permitted option.
Traditional clay plain tiles and pantiles have a long history as roofing materials. Plain clay tiles give a neat, close-lapped appearance; pantiles have a distinctive curved profile.
Pros: Extremely long-lasting - well-fired clay tiles can outlast the building they are on. Maintain their colour without fading because it is baked into the body of the tile. Low maintenance. Highly appropriate for older and period properties in this part of Norfolk.
Cons: Expensive. Heavier than most alternatives. Like natural slate, requires experienced fixers who understand the gauge and lapping requirements. Availability of true matching clay pantiles has reduced as fewer manufacturers produce them.
Concrete tiles became the dominant roofing material for new-build housing from the 1960s onwards and remain widely used today. Interlocking profiles require fewer tiles per square metre than plain tiles, which reduces labour time and cost.
Pros: Lower cost than natural materials. Widely available. Quick to lay, which reduces labour costs. Reasonable longevity - 30 to 60 years is typical.
Cons: The factory-applied surface colour fades over time, and older concrete tiles can become porous and prone to moss. Heavier per tile than some alternatives. The profile and appearance do not suit all property types. Not appropriate where planning or conservation conditions require a traditional material.
Concrete tiles make good practical sense on post-war properties where the budget is a priority and planning restrictions do not apply.
Fibre cement slates are a manufactured alternative to natural slate. They are thinner and lighter than natural slate and significantly cheaper. Modern fibre cement products have improved considerably and many carry long manufacturer guarantees on the material itself.
Pros: Much lower cost than natural slate. Lighter weight, which reduces structural loading. Consistent sizing, which makes laying more straightforward. Widely available in a range of colours and profiles.
Cons: Does not have the same lifespan as natural slate - manufacturer claims typically run to 30-40 years, real-world performance varies. The appearance differs from natural slate, which matters on period or conservation properties. Some profiles do not age as gracefully as natural materials.
Fibre cement slate is a sensible option on properties where the look of slate is desired but the budget does not stretch to the natural material, and where planning does not require it.
Many homes have a flat roof element - a porch, a rear extension, a bay window top or a garage. If your replacement includes a flat section, the two most practical options are torch-on felt and EPDM rubber membrane.
Torch-on felt (also called built-up felt) uses layers of bitumen-impregnated felt bonded by heat. It is well proven, straightforward to repair and suited to most flat roof applications. A correctly laid three-layer torch-on system typically performs well for 15-25 years.
EPDM rubber is a single-ply membrane bonded to the deck in one piece with no seams across the main area. It is flexible, handles temperature extremes well and is not prone to the cracking that affects older pour-and-chip finishes. EPDM is increasingly the preferred option for new flat roof work where a long-performing, low-maintenance finish is the priority.
Material choice has a significant impact on the final cost of a roof replacement. As a general guide for a standard three-bedroom house in this part of Norfolk:
These figures are typical UK market ranges and will vary with the size of the roof, the amount of structural timber work required and the complexity of the flashing details. A larger or more complex roof will sit at the higher end or above these ranges. Always get a written breakdown so you can see what materials are specified and compare quotes accurately.
When you are getting prices for a roof replacement in Burnham Market, make sure each quote specifies the tile or slate product by name, the underlay type, whether structural timber replacement is included (and to what scope), and how the flashings and ridge will be finished. A quote that simply says "new roof" does not tell you enough to make a comparison.
If your property is in a conservation area or is listed, confirm the material requirement with your local planning authority before signing anything. Some materials that look similar are not acceptable substitutes under planning conditions, and changing materials after the fact can be costly.
If your home in or near Burnham Market needs a roof replacement and you want straightforward advice on which materials suit your property, call Fakenham Roofers. We will inspect the roof, explain what we find and help you weigh up the options before you decide anything.
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Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
