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Felt flat roofs: replacements, overlays and repairs
Modern torch-on felt is nothing like the felt of forty years ago. Laid as a two or three layer system with a mineral cap, it is tough, easy to repair and often the best answer on larger roofs and roofs with lots of details.
The felt jobs we do
Recent felt work includes a full replacement on a new timber deck and a felt overlay on a sound extension roof:
- Full felt roof replacement: strip, new timber frame and decking where needed, then a multi-layer felt system
- Felt overlays: a new cap sheet bonded over an old roof that is dry and sound underneath
- Felt flashings over parapet walls and coping stones to stop water getting into the wall
- Repairs to splits, blisters and failed edges on existing felt roofs
- New edge trims, upstands and outlets
Replace or overlay?
An overlay can be very good value when the old roof is dry underneath and the falls are right. If the deck is wet, soft or holding water, an overlay seals the problem in and fails early. We check before recommending one, and the quote says which you are getting and why.
Building a felt roof properly
When a deck has gone we rebuild it: new timber framing and firrings to give the roof a proper fall, new OSB decking, then the felt layers torched down with upstands turned well up walls and under flashings. The extra work at the edges is what makes the difference between a roof that lasts and one that leaks at the first wall.
Questions
Is felt better than EPDM?
Neither is better everywhere. Felt suits larger roofs with lots of details; EPDM suits smaller roofs and anything that moves. We recommend one at the visit and explain why.
Is torch-on safe on my house?
Yes, with the proper precautions in place. Where a flame is not appropriate, at timber edges for example, we finish the detail without one.
How long does a felt roof take?
Most domestic felt roofs are one to three days, longer if the deck is being rebuilt.