If you’re about to raise a roof, or refurbish an existing one, Gleeds’ James Garner and Nicola Sharkey have costs of the different options to help you
A wide choice of roofing materials is available to meet different project requirements. Factors influencing design decisions include structure and pitch of the roof, appearance, planning considerations, durability, maintainability, weight, sustainability requirements and cost.
Generally, tiling covers pitched roofs and the number of materials available shows the importance of those various considerations. Options for tiles include clay, concrete, natural slate, fibre-reinforced concrete, cedar and metal. Natural slate is the typical choice for historical properties and those with a long design life. Clay tiles are common, with concrete tiles being a more economical option, but both need their weight to be factored in.
Metal roofs of zinc, copper, aluminium and galvanised steel are increasingly popular due to their durability, energy efficiency and sustainability properties. A long life span, high recycled content, total recyclability and an excellent ability to reflect radiant heat make them attractive in this regard.
However, metal roofs can be significantly more expensive than other options and recently, commodities have seen considerable volatility. Shingle roofs can be a more cost effective, green option if produced from sustainable wood or recycled plastic, wood fibre and rubber content. Green and brown roofs can offer environmental benefits such as supporting rainwater management, improving thermal performance, and enhancing biodiversity.
Aside from the residential sector, there is also a major challenge ahead for the upgrading of non-domestic buildings. Mace published its report ‘Transform & renew: Making nondomestic buildings in the UK fit for a low carbon future’ in June 2023, which highlighted that 87% of non-domestic buildings would need upgrading in some way and is recommending that demolition be justified at planning stage – which would involve a ‘consideration of retrofit’ for every major application.
Key considerations during specification are, therefore, thermal efficiency (U value), solar gain (G value) and air leakage (L value). In addition to these factors, acoustic performance and aesthetics are also important.
The following rates are based on the UK average and represent typical prices at 3Q 2023. Please note that prices can vary significantly depending on the exact specification.
Flat roof systems, including insulation and vapour barriers as necessary; excluding decking or similar
Single layer polymer roofing membrane; insulation: £180–215/m²
Single layer polymer roofing membrane; tapered insulation: £265–£300/m²
20 mm thick polymer modified asphalt roofing including underlay: £190–£225/m²
High performance bitumen felt roofing system: £190–£225/m²
High performance polymer modified bitumen membrane: £200–£235/m²
Pitched roof tiles or slates, including reinforced underlay and battens as necessary; excluding roof structure
Natural Welsh slate tiles: £250–280/m²
Natural Spanish slate tiles: £170–200/m²
Synthetic slate tiles: £115–150/m²
Reconstituted stone slate tiles; random slates: £240–275/m²
Clay pantiles: £95–125/m²
Clay tiles; handmade; sand-faced plain tiles: £125–160/m²
Concrete tiles; interlocking; troughed/bold rolled: £85–115/m²
Concrete tiles; plain: £65–95/m²
Fibre cement slates: £70–100/m²
Red Cedar sawn shingles; preservative treated; uniform length: £115–150/m²
Pitched roof sheet metal, including breather membrane, underlay or vapour barrier as necessary; excluding roof structure
Copper sheet; mill finish; flat seam or wood rolled: £375–425/m²
Copper standing seam roof; mill finish: £375–425/m²
Extra for pre-patinated copper finish: £75–125/m²
Aluminium sheet; mill finish; wood roll; insulation: £275–325/m²
Aluminium sheet; standing seam; mill finish; insulation: £275–325/m²
Extra for Pvf2 aluminium finish: £25–50/m²
Stainless steel; terne coated sheet: £350–375/m²
Lead roof covering; code 7; welded seam; milled lead; laid flat: £275–325/m²
Lead roof covering; code 7; welded seam; milled lead, pitched roof: £275–325/m²
Zinc; Natural Bright Rheinzink; pitched: £350–400/m²
Extra for pre-weathered zinc: £50–100/m²
Landscaped roof, excluding decking
Green flat roof - extensive type; growing medium; waterproof layer; separation layer; low maintenance: £300–350/m²
Green flat roof - intensive type; growing medium; waterproof layer; separation layer; low maintenance: £350–400/m²
Brown flat roof; growing medium; waterproof layer; separation layer; low maintenance: £375–425/m²