In the middle of building an extension, and am getting conflicting stories about whether to go for a long life felt, or lead for a small troughed flat roof. We are simply flattening the point of the gable end which is currently being widened, and the flat roof part of this will be 1600mm wide by 2750mm front to back approx. Ideally, this will be slightly 'V' shaped to form a trough and directed to the existing valley tiles which form the angle on the gable. My instinct is to go with lead, any roofers out there who can tell me why I should reconsider? Your input would be appreciated!

Use code 5 lead , much better than any thing else for a flat roof, cheers Alan.

Done professionly you can't beat lead, code 5 is the thickest generally available, but you must get a decent bloke, don't pay cheap, cos you'll get a crap job.
Where abouts are you??

Thanks lads, wondered why anyone would recommend anything else tbh. Ron, I'm in Southampton. :)

I asked where you were cos I had a job done by a guy in Bournemouth, absolutely first class bloke, and more importantly job, guy's name is Barry, you can call him on 01202 548621, the firms called Bournemouth leadwork services.
If the job is worth his while travelling, I'm sure he would, in my opinion, you will not get better.

Ron.

PS, don't try to stroke his dog though, ba5tard bit me!!

Thanks for that, if I get stuck, I'll have a word with this guy. Do you get discount if you let the dog bite you? :)

As said above dont use any lead below code5, would probably use code6 myself for this type of area. Downsides are obvious really No.1 The cost No.2 The weight Possibly have to have a roll or step in with the sizes you say, if you get a traditional lead worker in you should get a superb job.

There are downsides to lead flatroofs,the main one being the limitations of the sizes that the lead can be laid.

code 5-max size 1.5 x .600

code 6-max size 2.25 x .675

code 7 2.5 x .675

code 8 3.0 x .700

Any roofs that need lead joining require broom handle joining,which is taken on by amatures but only a professional lead specialist will get good results that will last.

The other downside is cost,the price of lead has risen a lot in recent months,almost by a third,and a lead specialist wont come cheap...

You could try looking into Epdm rubber membranes,these are one piece systems with 40 year + life expectancies...Chicago airport was re-roofed in 1963 and still has the same membrane 40 years later.They cost only a bit more than felts and in my opinion are one of the best materials on the market .

:)

Rooferman, are these membranes readily available, or are there limited stockists/direct from manufacturer problems to overcome? Also, are they specialist fit only, or is it just a matter of finding a roofer familiar with the method? The costs involved aren't really an overriding consideration...just want to make sure the job's a good 'un first time! :)
Thanks for all the responses so far...keep 'em coming. Looks like I'm going to have a bit more time to decide, as I can't get the building inspector to talk sense now, or have him make an appointment without putting a gun to his head! :(

Rooferman, are these membranes readily available, or are there limited stockists/direct from manufacturer problems to overcome? Also, are they specialist fit only, or is it just a matter of finding a roofer familiar with the method? The costs involved aren't really an overriding consideration...just want to make sure the job's a good 'un first time! :)
Thanks for all the responses so far...keep 'em coming. Looks like I'm going to have a bit more time to decide, as I can't get the building inspector to talk sense now, or have him make an appointment without putting a gun to his head! :(


The rubber membranes that we use are specialist fit only,our suppliers Firestone and Aquagard dont sell the product to roofing merchants,
so you would have to get an authorized fitter to do the job.there are fitters nationwide so wouldn,t be to diffucult to find a source.
From the sizes you have given it wont be possible to construct the roof in one piece in lead,if you used code 8 you could get away with 3 pieces of lead and obviously the less joins the better.

Lead is a good option for the roof you have described,the rubber equaly as good,but the rubber does have some advantages.

1 Its one piece,ie cut to size
2 Its a lot easier and quicker to fit
3 Material is guaranteed
4 Its breathable
5 more pliable
6 Not affected by Uv

and made from old car tyres (beggining to sound like a salesman now :) )


Hope this helps,

Rooferman

Rooferman ( and others who have responded ), thanks for your input, I wouldn't have known about the membrane otherwise....I'll let you know how I get on. :)