Choosing the right roofing material for your home in Harleston is one of the most important decisions you will make about the property, and it pays to understand what each option actually delivers.
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A new roof is not just about stopping leaks. The material you choose affects how the roof looks, how long it lasts, what it weighs, how much maintenance it needs and what it costs. No single material suits every property or every budget, and any roofer who recommends the same product for every job is not thinking about your specific situation.
Below is an honest breakdown of the main options we work with for both pitched and flat roofs, including the practical trade-offs on each one.
Concrete tiles are a widely used material on pitched roofs. They are manufactured to consistent dimensions, which makes them straightforward to lay and relatively quick to replace if a tile is damaged later.
Pros: Lower cost than natural slate or clay. Wide range of profiles and colours. Readily available, so matching a tile if one breaks in future is usually possible. Durable under normal conditions.
Cons: Heavier than some alternatives, which matters if the roof structure is already carrying a load. They can absorb moisture over decades, which leads to surface breakdown and moss growth. The colour fades over time. A concrete tile roof generally looks modern rather than traditional.
Concrete tiles are a sound, practical choice for most post-war houses. On an older property where appearance matters, clay or slate usually fits better.
Natural slate has been used on roofs in Britain for centuries. Spanish, Welsh and Portuguese slates are all used today, and they vary in quality and price. Welsh slate is generally considered the best but commands a premium. Spanish slate is more affordable and widely used.
Pros: Long lifespan - natural slate can last 80 to 100 years when correctly fixed and when the supporting timbers and underlay are maintained. Thin and relatively light compared to concrete tiles. Looks right on period properties. Does not absorb moisture in the way concrete does.
Cons: Higher material and labour cost than concrete tile - a natural slate re-roof typically costs 30 to 50 percent more than an equivalent concrete tile job. Slate can be brittle if walked on incorrectly. Finding a close match for repairs in future depends on the original source, which may no longer be available. Quality varies between suppliers, and cheap imported slate can delaminate within 20 years.
If your property had a slate roof originally, restoring it with slate is nearly always the right call aesthetically and structurally. On a modern extension, it may not be worth the additional cost.
Plain clay tiles are a traditional covering on many older roofs. They are smaller than interlocking tiles, which means each tile overlaps the two below it, giving a roof with more depth and texture.
Pros: Authentic look on older properties. Clay does not fade or absorb moisture the way concrete does. Long-lasting when well maintained.
Cons: More tiles needed per square metre than interlocking profiles, which increases both material cost and labour time. Weight per square metre is higher than slate. The double-lap fixing method means any repair involves lifting more tiles to access the problem area.
Plain clay tiles are a good match for cottages and older farmhouses where the appearance of the roof is important to the character of the building. For a standard suburban house, they are usually more cost than the situation calls for.
EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) is a synthetic rubber membrane used on flat and very low-pitch roofs. It has largely replaced traditional mineral felt on new flat roof installations because of its longer expected lifespan and resistance to cracking.
Pros: EPDM flat roofs typically last 20 to 30 years or more when the seams and edges are correctly installed and periodically checked. The membrane handles temperature changes well without cracking or blistering. Lightweight. Can be fitted quickly on an extension or outbuilding roof with minimal disruption.
Cons: Joins and edges are the weak points. A poorly fitted EPDM roof can fail at the upstands and perimeter within a few years. The membrane itself is straightforward; the quality of installation, particularly the bonding and edge detailing, determines how long it lasts. Not all roofers who offer EPDM are equally skilled at the detailing.
For garage roofs, kitchen and utility extensions and single-storey additions, EPDM is currently the most practical flat roof option available without moving into specialist systems.
Traditional three-layer mineral felt is still used on flat roofs and is a legitimate option where budget is the primary concern. The top layer is finished with mineral chips that reflect some of the sun's heat and protect the layers beneath.
Pros: Lower upfront cost than EPDM. Widely understood by roofers, so repairs are straightforward. Suitable for outbuildings, garden rooms and garages where longevity is less critical.
Cons: A felt flat roof typically lasts 10 to 15 years before it begins to blister and crack. It is more susceptible to extreme temperatures than rubber. When it fails, it usually needs to be stripped and replaced rather than repaired.
For a main house extension that you intend to keep for decades, EPDM is worth the additional cost. For a garden shed or a garage you may redevelop later, felt may be all you need.
Whatever tile or slate you choose for a pitched roof, the underlay beneath it matters just as much. Old bitumen felt, which was standard until the late 1990s, becomes brittle and tears. Modern breathable membranes allow moisture vapour to escape from the roof space without letting liquid water through. This reduces the risk of condensation building up on the timbers and extends the life of the whole roof.
When getting quotes, ask specifically what underlay is being used. A breathable membrane costs a little more but is now considered best practice on any new pitched roof installation.
Costs vary significantly depending on the size of the roof, the pitch, the access and the materials. As a broad guide for this area:
These are indicative ranges only. A roof with a steep pitch, difficult access or complex hips and valleys will cost more than a simple gable-ended roof of the same footprint. Any quote should specify the material, the underlay, what happens if rotten timbers are found and whether gutters, fascias and soffits are included.
We work with homeowners in Harleston and the surrounding villages, and we are based in nearby Diss. If you are not sure which material suits your roof, call us to arrange a survey. We will look at the existing structure, the property's age and your budget, and give you a straight recommendation rather than just quoting for the most expensive option.
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Call any time. Calls are answered day and night and passed straight to our roofers.
