New Roofs in Ely

Expert New Roofs
in Ely

Choosing the right roofing material - an honest guide

When a roof reaches the end of its life, or when you are building something new, the first real decision is what to put on top. Most homeowners are offered a short list of materials without much explanation of what the differences actually mean in practice. This page goes through each option we work with - what it costs, how long it lasts, what it looks like and where it is the right or wrong choice - so you can make an informed decision before anyone starts work.

We work with natural slate, concrete interlocking tiles and clay plain tiles. Each has genuine advantages and genuine drawbacks. The right material depends on your roof pitch, your planning situation, your budget and what you want the finished roof to look like in 30 years' time.

Natural slate

Natural slate is split from quarried rock, most of it now sourced from Spain, Wales or Portugal. It is the material used on the majority of Victorian and Edwardian properties, and it remains one of the best roofing materials available.

Advantages:

• Extremely long working life - good quality natural slate can last 80 to 150 years when properly laid and maintained.
• Thin and light relative to its area, which reduces the structural load on rafters.
• Aesthetically authentic on period properties and widely accepted by planning authorities for conservation areas and listed buildings.
• Low maintenance once installed correctly, because there is no surface coating to fail.

Disadvantages:

• The most expensive option to buy and to lay. Supply and fix costs are higher than for concrete or clay because the slates need to be nailed individually and the skill level required is greater.
• Quality varies significantly between sources. Cheap imported slate from certain regions can delaminate within 20 years. If your roofer is quoting for natural slate, ask specifically where it comes from and what grade it is.
• Requires a minimum pitch of around 25 degrees to perform correctly. Shallower pitches need a different system.
• If individual slates need replacing in the future, matching colour and thickness can be difficult if the original source is no longer available.

Natural slate is worth the extra cost on properties where the roof is a prominent feature, where planning requires it, or where the homeowner wants a roof they will not need to think about for the rest of their ownership of the property.

Concrete interlocking tiles

Concrete tiles have been the standard choice for new builds and re-roofs across the UK since the 1960s. They interlock along their edges, which means each tile covers more area than a plain tile and fewer are needed per square metre.

Advantages:

• The most cost-effective option for a straightforward re-roof. Lower material cost and faster to lay than slate or plain tiles.
• Available in a wide range of profiles, colours and surface finishes, including profiles that replicate the appearance of plain tile or pantile.
• Consistent in size and thickness, which makes laying faster and reduces the risk of variation in the finished roof.
• Can be used on pitches from around 17 degrees, which makes them suitable for shallower-pitched extensions and outbuildings.

Disadvantages:

• Heavier than natural slate, which matters on older properties where the rafter sizes were not designed to carry the extra load. It is worth getting the rafters checked before specifying concrete tiles on a Victorian or Edwardian roof.
• The surface colour is in the concrete, not a glaze, but the outer layer can weather and fade over decades. The tile itself does not fail, but it may look tired earlier than slate or clay.
• Less appropriate for conservation areas or listed buildings, where planning will often require a like-for-like material.
• Working life of around 40 to 60 years in typical conditions, shorter than natural slate.

Concrete tiles are the sensible choice for most standard re-roofs where planning does not restrict the material and where the homeowner's priority is cost-effectiveness and reliability.

Clay plain tiles

Plain clay tiles are smaller than interlocking concrete tiles - typically around 265mm by 165mm - and are laid in a double-lap pattern that gives the roof a characteristic close, even texture.

Advantages:

• Excellent lifespan - well-fired clay tiles can last 100 years or more.
• The warm orange-red colour of traditional clay is widely regarded as aesthetically superior to concrete on period properties, and planning authorities in many areas are more sympathetic to clay than to concrete.
• The colour in clay tiles is inherent to the material, not a surface finish, so it does not fade in the same way as some concrete tiles.
• Good frost resistance in quality-fired tiles.

Disadvantages:

• More expensive than concrete, though typically less expensive than natural slate for supply and fix.
• Heavier per square metre than concrete interlocking tiles when laid in a double-lap pattern, because more tiles are needed per square metre. Structural implications need checking on older buildings.
• Requires a minimum pitch of around 35 to 40 degrees for a plain tile to work correctly without risk of water ingress under the tile. Not suitable for shallow pitches.
• Colour matching can be difficult if repairs are needed in future - old clay tiles acquire a patina that new tiles do not replicate immediately.

Clay plain tiles are the right choice for a pitched roof on a property where period character matters, where planning requires a traditional material, or where the homeowner wants a roof that is likely to outlast their ownership by several decades.

A note on artificial and synthetic slates

Artificial or synthetic slates - made from fibre cement or recycled materials - are sometimes offered as a cheaper alternative to natural slate. They are lighter than natural slate and cheaper to buy. However, their working life is shorter than genuine slate, typically 25 to 40 years, and some products have had problems with delamination and fading. We do not push synthetic products because we believe the customer is better served knowing what they are getting and paying a little more for a material that will genuinely perform.

Flat roof coverings for extensions

If your project includes a flat or very shallow-pitched extension, the tile and slate options above are not appropriate. Flat roofs are typically covered with either traditional built-up felt or EPDM rubber membrane. EPDM is a single-ply rubber sheet that is cold-applied and very resistant to UV and temperature cycling. It has a longer working life than traditional felt and fewer joints where water can track in. Built-up felt systems are less expensive but require more joints and have a shorter typical lifespan. The right choice depends on the area of the roof and what the roof structure is.

What a full re-roof costs in Ely

A full re-roof on a standard semi-detached house in the Ely area typically costs between £5,000 and £12,000. Natural slate sits at the top of that range; concrete tile at the lower end; clay tile in the middle. Larger or more complex roofs with multiple valleys, dormers or chimney stacks will cost more, because those details require skilled leadwork and more time on the scaffold. These are realistic working figures - the actual price for your property depends on what comes off when the roof is stripped, so any roofer should inspect the job before committing to a number.

What a re-roof involves, step by step

A proper re-roof is not a job done over the old materials. Everything comes off. Here is what you should expect:

• Scaffold erected to allow safe access and to protect the property during strip-off.
• All tiles or slates, battens and felt removed and cleared from site.
• Rafters, wall plates and any timber in the roof structure inspected for rot or damage and repaired or replaced where needed.
• New breathable underlay membrane laid across the rafters.
• New treated timber battens fixed at the correct gauge for the chosen tile or slate.
• Tiles or slates laid from eaves to ridge, fixed correctly for the pitch and material.
• Lead or appropriate alternative flashings installed at all abutments, around chimneys and in valleys.
• Ridge and hip detail completed with a dry-fix mechanical system or mortar-bedded tiles, depending on the specification.
• Gutters and fascias checked and replaced if needed.

Questions worth asking before you accept a quote

Any roofer quoting for a new roof should be able to answer these without hesitation:

• What material are you recommending and why?
• Where does the slate or tile come from, and what is its expected working life?
• Are you stripping to bare rafters or going over existing battens?
• What underlay membrane will you use?
• How will the ridge and hips be fixed?
• What happens if damaged timbers are found on strip-off?
• Is scaffold included in the price?

Getting clear answers before work starts saves disagreements later. A roofer who is confident in what they do will not struggle to explain it.

New roofs across Ely and the surrounding area

We carry out new roofs and full re-roofs in Ely and the wider area, including work in Newmarket, Haverhill, Bury St Edmunds and Cambridge. Whether you are replacing a roof that has reached the end of its life, covering a new extension or fitting out a self-build, we can advise on the right material for your property and give you a clear written quote before any work begins.

We are based in Newmarket. To arrange a roof survey in Ely or a nearby town or village, call us directly. We will look at the job, talk through your options honestly and give you a price for the work.