Flat Roofing in Birmingham
If you're planning a new extension, replacing a tired garage roof, or just want a flat roof that won't let you down for the next couple of decades, it pays to get it right first time. Flat roofing has come a long way from the old tar-and-felt jobs that gave it a bad name, and there are now some genuinely good options depending on what you're building and what budget you're working with.
Midlands Roofing has been fitting flat roofs across Birmingham and the West Midlands for 18 years. We're a family-run team of 15 roofers, no subcontractors, so the people who quote the job are the people who turn up and do it. Whether it's a small porch roof or a full extension in Solihull or Sutton Coldfield, we'll talk you through GRP, EPDM and felt honestly, no jargon, no pushing you towards whatever's easiest for us.
18 years
Trading in Birmingham
15
Experienced roofers
Up to
20 years
Workmanship warranty
Fully insured
What our flat roofing service includes
We design, supply and fit flat roofs for all sorts of projects, including:
- New flat roof extensions
- kitchen extensions, side returns and rear extensions are everywhere in Birmingham's terraced and semi-detached streets, and most of them end up with a flat or low-pitch roof
- Garage and outbuilding roofs
- often the first part of the roof to fail because it's the one nobody thinks about until it's leaking
- Dormer roofs
- the flat sections that top off loft conversions
- Porch and canopy roofs
- small but exposed, so they need proper detailing around edges and joins
- Full flat roof replacements
- stripping back an old felt or asphalt roof and replacing it with a modern GRP or EPDM system
- Commercial flat roofs
- shop fronts, small industrial units and warehouse sections
We work with three main materials, and we'll always explain which one suits your project rather than just fitting whatever's cheapest to buy in.
GRP (fibreglass) roofing is a single, seamless layer of glass-reinforced plastic laid over a timber deck. It's tough, looks smart with a clean finish, and doesn't have the seams or joints that other systems rely on, which is one less place for water to get in over time. It tends to sit at the higher end price-wise, but it's a solid long-term choice for extensions and areas you want to look good as well as perform well.
EPDM (rubber membrane) roofing is a rubber sheet, often installed in one or two large pieces with very few joins. It's flexible, copes well with the roof deck expanding and contracting in different weather, and is generally a cost-effective middle-ground option. It's a popular choice for garages, extensions and dormers where you want something reliable without the GRP price tag.
Felt (built-up) roofing is the traditional option, laid in overlapping layers and torched or bonded down. Modern high-performance felt systems are a big step up from the old-style felt roofs that gave flat roofs a poor reputation, and they remain one of the more budget-friendly choices, particularly for garages, sheds and smaller roofs where a shorter lifespan is an acceptable trade-off for lower cost.
Signs your flat roof needs replacing
Flat roofs don't last forever, and knowing when to replace rather than patch can save you money down the line. Look out for:
- Ponding water that sits for more than 48 hours after rain, rather than draining away
- Cracking, bubbling or blistering on the surface, especially on older felt roofs
- Sagging or dipping areas, which can point to problems with the deck underneath
- A roof that's simply old felt typically has the shortest lifespan of the three materials, so if yours is coming up to 15-20 years old, it's worth having it looked at
- Discolouration or a chalky surface, a sign the material is breaking down with UV exposure
- You're planning building work nearby, such as an extension, and want to replace an old roof rather than build around it
If you're dealing with an active leak rather than planning a new roof or a full replacement, our roof waterproofing service covers repairs and protective treatments too.
Our process
Free survey and quote.
We come out, look at the roof (or the plans if it's a new extension), and talk through your options honestly, including which material makes sense for your budget and the job.
Straightforward quote, no pressure.
We'll explain what's driving the price and won't try to upsell you on something you don't need.
Scheduled work, on time.
We agree a date and turn up when we say we will.
Proper installation.
Deck checked and prepared, insulation added where it's needed, and the chosen system (GRP, EPDM or felt) fitted correctly, including all the detailing around edges, upstands and drainage that stops problems later.
Tidy finish and sign-off.
We clear up after ourselves and talk you through the finished roof and its warranty before we leave.
Why choose Midlands Roofing for flat roofing in Birmingham
Choosing a roofer can feel like a bit of a gamble, especially with flat roofs, where a poor installation can cause problems for years without being obvious straight away. We get why people are cautious.
We're a local, family-run business, and we've been trading in Birmingham and the West Midlands for 18 years. That's not an accident. We turn up when we say we will, we do the job properly, and we treat every customer the way we'd want to be treated ourselves. Our 15-strong team are our own roofers, not subcontractors, so the standard of work is consistent from job to job.
We're fully insured and experienced, working to current industry and safety standards, and we back our flat roofing work with a workmanship warranty of up to 20 years, depending on the material and scope of the job. Quotes are free and no-obligation, and if a smaller job is all you actually need, we'll tell you that rather than talking you into more than necessary.
What affects the cost
There's no single price for a flat roof, since so much depends on the specifics of your job. The main factors are:
- Material chosen
- GRP, EPDM and felt sit at different price points, roughly reflecting their lifespan and finish
- Size of the roof
- a garage roof and a full extension roof are very different jobs
- Condition of the existing deck
- if the timber underneath needs repairing or replacing, that adds time and materials
- Insulation requirements
- building regulations may require a certain level of insulation, particularly on new extensions
- Access
- how easy it is to get materials and equipment to the roof
- Additional detailing
- roof lights, drainage outlets, upstands and edge trims all take extra time to do properly
The best way to get an accurate figure is a free, no-obligation quote, where we look at your specific roof and talk you through the options.
Areas We Cover
As well as flat roofing across Birmingham, we cover the wider West Midlands, including Solihull, Sutton Coldfield, West Bromwich, Walsall, Dudley, Wolverhampton, Halesowen, Stourbridge and Wednesbury. Wherever you are in the area, our team can usually get to you quickly, with same-day emergency callouts available when you need us most.
Related roofing services
FAQs
It depends on your priorities. GRP gives a seamless, smart finish and tends to last the longest, EPDM is a durable, flexible option at a more moderate price, and felt is the most budget-friendly, particularly for garages and smaller structures. We'll recommend one based on your roof and budget rather than a one-size-fits-all answer.
It varies by material and how well it's installed and maintained. Felt roofs generally have the shortest lifespan of the three, while GRP and EPDM tend to last considerably longer when fitted correctly. Our workmanship warranty runs up to 20 years depending on the material and scope of the job.
Yes, and they're extremely common on Birmingham's rear and side-return extensions, particularly on the city's many Victorian and Edwardian terraces and semis. A well-installed flat roof with good insulation and drainage is a practical, cost-effective option for single-storey extensions.
Straight replacements of an existing flat roof, like-for-like, don't usually need planning permission, but new extensions or changes to the roofline can involve different rules. We're happy to talk through what applies to your specific project during your free quote.
Yes, this is one of the jobs we do most often. Garage roofs take a battering from the weather and are usually the first flat roof on a property to fail, so upgrading to GRP or EPDM at replacement time is a popular choice for extra durability.
They benefit from an occasional check, mainly keeping drainage points clear of leaves and debris so water doesn't sit on the surface. Beyond that, a properly installed flat roof shouldn't need constant attention.
Whether you're planning a new extension or replacing a roof that's had its day, get in touch for an honest look at your options. Call us now on 07735 424741 or get a free quote, no pressure, no jargon, just a straight answer on what your flat roof needs.
9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Same day response when your roof needs urgent attention.