If your roof is ready for significant repairs or a replacement, you might be wondering what your options are. In this instance, it is worth making sure your home will be able to accommodate your desired style of roof before you call on a roofing and building expert. This will help you to avoid potential disappointment if you have had your heart set on a particular roofing style that will not be right for your home.
Here are some factors that might make certain types of roof unsuitable for your home.
- Building regulations
Have you noticed that on many UK roads, the houses tend to have a similar style? When you see houses located closely together and built in a particular style this tends to have been done on purpose. If you live in one of these areas you may need to look into building regulations if you are wanting to completely change the style and aesthetic of your roof.
In some instances, you can have roof repairs and replacements made without needing planning permission. However, the new roof will need to comply with UK building regulations.
If your plan is to replace a flat roof for a pitched roof then you will most likely need planning permission. According to Professional Building Supplies, to be exempt from planning permission, a new roof must not be any higher than the highest part of the existing roof.
Needing planning permission to get your ideal roof doesn’t automatically mean that you won’t be able to get it. However, whether you are willing to apply for planning permission in order to get it is your call. For further guidance on this make sure you consult a professional roofer.
- You live in a listed building
Historic England estimates there are around 400,000 listed buildings in the UK. If you live in one of these buildings, there may be limitations to your roofing options.
In these situations, you should consult the advice and services of a roofer who is specialised in working with listed buildings. They will have expertise in roofing techniques specific to the style of your home and the era it was built in.
- Your home might not be able to bear the load
If your current roof is a lightweight flat roof it might not be possible to replace it for a pitched style with heavy slate or clay tiles.
This is because the walls of your home may not have been designed to take the weight of a heavier roofing model.
However, there are a wide range of roofing materials available on the market so a qualified roofer may be able to suggest alternatives that will look just as great.
- Climate
What’s the weather like where you are? If you’re in the UK the chances are you sometimes experience frost and snow in the winter along with occasional storms. None of these kinds of weather bode well for your roof, especially if it is not in good nick to begin with.
A professional roofer that is locally based to where you live will understand the climate. This means that they will be able to tell you which roofing materials will give your roof the best chance of withstanding the elements for as long as possible.
They will also be able to tell you about roofing styles and materials which may not be suitable for your home based on the weather conditions your home contends with.
- The practicalities of different roofing types
Some homeowners would like to give their home a more unique roofing such as a thatched or green roof. These roofs may be aesthetically pleasing but they can be difficult and potentially expensive to maintain.
However, more mainstream kinds of roofing might have practical drawbacks of their own if they have been installed by somebody without sufficient roofing experience and qualifications. In these situations, you will see roofing issues develop much sooner than you would typically expect. This leads to you having a type of roofing that is not suitable for your home purely because it does not fulfil its purpose of keeping your home warm and dry.
To avoid this happening, always have your roofing work completed by a reputable and experienced company.
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