This article provides an excellent and comprehensive guide to different roofing materials, covering key aspects like cost, longevity, and appearance. However, the cost information is presented in USD and the context is the UK. To make this information more relevant and accurate for a UK audience, I will primarily focus on:
- Converting all costs to GBP (£): I will use approximate conversion rates and recent UK roofing cost data from reliable sources to provide relevant price ranges per square metre (m²), which is the standard unit in the UK.
- Adjusting terminology: Where necessary, I will ensure the language and common material names align with UK usage.
- Updating average roof replacement cost: Provide a UK-specific average cost for roof replacement.
Here’s the refined version of the article, tailored for a UK audience:
Choosing Your Home’s Crown: A Guide to Top Roofing Materials
There’s a vast array of roofing materials available, from traditional asphalt composite shingles to modern metal, classic wood shakes, and elegant clay tiles. Rather than simply defaulting to your previous choice, it’s worth exploring options that might offer enhanced longevity, a more contemporary look, or better performance for your specific needs. Choosing the right roofing material involves carefully weighing appearance, expected lifespan, material prices, and potential structural considerations. Here are various types of roofing materials to consider when it’s time to replace your roof.
How Much Does Replacing a Roof Cost in the UK?
The cost of a roof replacement in the UK can vary significantly. The three main factors influencing the price are the type of roofing material you choose, labour costs, and the size and complexity of your roof.
The average cost of a roof replacement nationwide in the UK typically falls between £12,000 and £15,000. While a small flat roof might cost around £3,000, a large roof using premium materials could reach £22,000 or more. This includes the removal and disposal of your old roof, which can add £800-£1,400. Scaffolding costs, often around £2,280 for a typical project, may also be factored into the overall quote.
01. Rolled Roofing
Average cost of rolled roofing: £20 – £55 per square metre
Rolled roofing material is a common choice for low-slope residential roofs, as well as outbuildings like garden sheds, workshops, and other utilitarian structures. This basic type of roofing consists of long rolls of mineral- and asphalt-impregnated material topped with mineral granules. Each roll typically covers about 10 square metres and is approximately 1 metre wide.
You can expect rolled roofing to be one of the cheapest roofing materials, but it offers limited aesthetic appeal. The large, thin strips provide a fast and convenient way to cover a low-slope building where appearances aren’t the primary concern. It can be applied either with the torch-down method or with roofing nails.
On average, rolled roofing lasts about 5 to 8 years before it typically needs to be replaced.
02. Built-Up Roofing (BUR)
Average cost of built-up roofing: £25 – £50 per square metre
Built-up roofing (BUR) is one of the oldest types of roofing materials for flat roofs or very low-pitch roofs. BUR systems are constructed with several layers of roofing felt impregnated with hot asphalt (bitumen).
The felt is applied in overlapping layers to form a robust barrier, typically two to four layers thick. Finally, a layer of finely crushed stone (gravel) is embedded in hot tar over the top to create a very durable and impenetrable roof.
A properly installed BUR roof can last 20 to 30 years.
03. Membrane Roofing
Average cost of membrane roofing: £40 – £80 per square metre (installed, depending on type)
Another popular type of roofing material for flat roofs or very low-pitch roofs is a membrane roof. Several types of membranes can be used, including:
- Neoprene (polychloroprene)
- EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer): Often referred to as “rubber roofing.”
- PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
- Chlorinated polyethylene and chlorosulfonated polyethylene sheets
- Polymer-modified bitumens
One of the most common and effective membranes in the UK is EPDM. EPDM is a synthetic rubber roofing material that, similar to rolled asphalt roofing, is applied in large sheets, which limits the number of seams where water could potentially infiltrate.
The lifespan of a properly maintained membrane roof is typically 20 to 35 years or more.
04. Asphalt Composite Shingles
Average cost of asphalt composite shingles: £15 – £45+ per square metre
Asphalt composite shingles are one of the most popular roofing materials in North America and increasingly common in the UK. Made from a fiberglass base topped with asphalt and mineral granules (or cellulose covered with asphalt), these shingles are an all-around good choice for most residential roofing needs. Fiberglass asphalt shingles are relatively lightweight but durable, while organic asphalt shingles are heavier but also robust. Composite shingles are excellent at flexing and adapting to a roof’s movements due to expansion and contraction.
They typically come with a 20- to 30-year warranty, and replacing individual damaged shingles is a fairly easy job. Moreover, most roofing companies in the UK are familiar with installing these shingles.
Depending on the quality of the shingles and the local weather conditions, the lifespan of the roof can range from 12 to 30 years.
05. Standing Seam Metal Roofing
Average cost of standing seam metal roofing: £40 – £110 per square metre (depending on metal type)
The most common type of metal roof is the standing seam roof, so named because the aluminium, steel, zinc, or copper roofing panels meet in raised seams that interlock to keep moisture out. Metal roofs of all kinds are increasingly popular in regions with heavy snowfall or where there is a danger of wildfires, as this durable roofing material is fireproof.
Metal is also a long-lasting type of roof, and it’s recyclable when it eventually wears out. However, installation requires special skills, and not every roofing company is equipped to install a standing seam metal roof.
Metal roofs commonly last 30 to 50 years, but some have been known to last 75 years or more.
06. Metal Shingles/Shakes
Average cost of metal shingles: £80 – £160 per square metre
For homeowners who appreciate the benefits of metal roofing but prefer a more traditional aesthetic, steel or aluminium shingles or shakes are an excellent alternative to standing seam.
Made from stamped metal and finished with either a high-quality baked-on coating or mineral granules, metal shingles can be fabricated to look very much like traditional asphalt shingles, wooden shakes, or even slate or clay tiles. They are an excellent choice where appearance is a critical concern, but you still want a durable and long-lasting roofing material.
Metal shingles and shakes can last 30 to 50 years.
07. Wood Shingles/Shakes
Average cost of wood shingles/shakes: £45 – £90 per square metre (shingles); £65 – £140 per square metre (shakes)
Wood roofs are exceptionally attractive, but they are also quite expensive and have certain limitations. They are not as long-lived as some other roofing materials and are a poor choice in areas that experience a lot of moisture or where wildfires are a danger. Still, their natural beauty makes them a popular choice for luxury homes, particularly those in a Cape Cod-style or rustic aesthetic.
Although both are made from natural wood, usually cedar or redwood, there is a difference between wood shakes and shingles. Shingles are typically thin, wedge-shaped slabs of wood produced by precise sawing. Shakes are produced by splitting wood, resulting in thicker wedges with a rougher, more textured appearance.
Longevity depends heavily on circumstances and maintenance. In relatively dry climates, a wood shingle or shake roof can last up to 60 years; however, in damp conditions, you might only get 20 to 30 years from the roof.
08. Clay Tile
Average cost of clay tile: £100 – £180 per square metre (more uncommon ceramic tiles can be £300+ per square metre)
Clay tile is made from earthen clays molded into rolled or interlocking shapes and fired for hardness. It is often left unglazed, retaining its characteristic reddish-orange colour, or it can be glazed and fired to form ceramic roofing tiles.
This is an excellent roofing material option for hot climates or where salt air is present, which is why these roofs are often seen in Mediterranean-style homes or coastal regions.
Clay is one of the longest-lasting roof materials, thanks to its exceptional durability. You can expect more than a century from a well-maintained clay tile roof.
09. Concrete Tile
Average cost of concrete tile: £100 – £200+ per square metre
Concrete tile is a popular alternative to clay tile, offering similar installation techniques and advantages but often at a slightly lower cost.
Molded from standard sand-mix concrete, concrete tiles are coloured to desired hues. A variety of profiles are available, some resembling rolled clay tiles and others with a low-profile look, similar to wood shakes. Concrete tile is sometimes finished with a decorative coating.
It is a very heavy and durable roofing material, making it a good choice in high-wind regions due to its inherent stability. Life expectancy is 50 years or longer.
10. Slate Shingles
Average cost of slate shingles: £100 – £300 per square metre, depending on hard or soft slate
A slate roof is an exceptionally attractive and luxurious roofing material, commonly seen on high-end homes and historic buildings. Slate is also arguably the type of roof that lasts the longest. There are slate roofs hundreds of years old that are still fully functional.
True slate roofing is authentic, thin sheets of real stone. Because slate tends to cleave off in thin sheets, it is relatively easy to quarry, making it ideal for roofing. However, installing slate is a highly specialized skill, and qualified installers can be hard to find, contributing to its higher cost.
If you opt for a slate roof, it will likely be the last roof replacement you’ll ever need to do. A natural slate tile roof often lasts 75 to 150 years or more.
11. Synthetic (Rubber) Slate Tile
Average cost of synthetic (rubber) slate tile: £90 – £120 per square metre
Synthetic slate shingles offer a surprisingly convincing stand-in for natural slate. This is a more lightweight roofing material, constructed from engineered polymers combined with recycled plastic and rubber.
From the ground, it can be virtually impossible to distinguish this engineered roofing from natural slate. Crucially, the lighter synthetic material is a viable option for houses that cannot support the significant weight of natural slate without costly structural reinforcement.
Although not as durable as true stone, synthetic slate usually comes with a very good warranty—up to 50 years.
12. Living Roof (Green Roof)
Average cost of a living roof: Varies widely, typically £60 – £200 per square metre
While moss is usually regarded as a bad sign on a traditional roof, when properly planned for, moss and other living plant materials provide an effective and environmentally beneficial roofing solution.
A truly unorthodox type of roofing material, a green or living roof nevertheless holds much promise. It can remove pollutants from the air, provide thermal insulation to your house, absorb rainwater, and even allow you to grow plants.
To create a green roof, you first install a layer of waterproof membrane and provide adequate drainage. A green roof can be “intensive,” meaning capable of supporting larger plants, shrubs, and even foot traffic, or “extensive,” meaning it is thin and intended only for lightweight growth such as sedum or moss. Either way, living roofs will require regular maintenance to keep them healthy and lasting for a long time.
Tip: Some building codes may not allow this type of roof, or may have specific requirements. Always check with your local building department before committing to a green or living roof.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best material to use for roofing in the UK?
For UK conditions, asphalt shingles are a popular choice due to their strong performance against various weather conditions and reasonable longevity. For superior durability and longevity, slate or metal roofing materials are ideal, although they come at a higher cost.
What is the most commonly used type of roofing material in the UK?
Asphalt shingles (also known as felt shingles) are widely used as a roofing material in the UK due to their low price, relatively easy installation process, and durability against various weather types.
What is the most affordable roof?
Rolled roofing is generally the cheapest material per square metre, but it’s not commonly used for main residential roofs due to its limited lifespan and aesthetics. For a pitched roof, concrete roof tiles often offer the best value for money, balancing cost with a good lifespan. For flat roofs, bitumen sheets can be very cheap, but EPDM membranes offer better long-term value.
Which roof is the easiest to install?
While all roof installations require professional skill, for pitched roofs, asphalt shingles are generally considered among the easiest and fastest to install due to their modular nature. For flat roofs, EPDM membrane can also be relatively quick to install in large sheets.
How do I know if I need a new roof?
There are several key signs indicating the need for a new roof. Look for curling, cupped, cracked, damaged, or missing shingles/tiles. Granules of your roof material in the gutters are another red flag. If your roof is over 25 years old (for asphalt shingles), or you notice daylight showing through the attic, or water stains on your ceilings or walls, it’s definitely time to consider a replacement and get a professional inspection.