New Roofs in March - Materials and Your Options Explained

Expert New Roofs
in March

Why the Material Choice Matters So Much

When a roof reaches the end of its life, it is tempting to focus on price alone. But the material you choose affects everything that follows: how long the roof lasts, how it looks against your property, how much the structure needs to support, and what maintenance it will need over the years. This page sets out the real options available for pitched and flat roofs, with honest notes on the strengths and weaknesses of each.

Concrete Interlocking Tiles

Concrete interlocking tiles are a widely used material on new and replacement roofs, and for good reason. They are manufactured to consistent dimensions, lock together along their edges and at their tails, and sit on relatively wide gauge battens - which means the job goes on faster than plain tiling.

Pros:

• Lower cost than clay or slate - typically among the most affordable pitched roof options
• Available in a range of profiles and colours, including low-profile tiles that suit modern builds
• Consistent quality from batch to batch
• Widely available, so replacements are easy to source if one cracks years later

Cons:

• Heavier than many other options - around 40 to 50 kg per square metre depending on profile, so the structure must be adequate
• Concrete fades over time as the surface coating weathers; the tile itself remains sound but the appearance changes
• Not suitable where a planning condition or conservation area requires clay or natural slate

Clay Plain Tiles

Clay plain tiles are a traditional roofing material. They are smaller than concrete interlocking tiles - roughly 265 mm by 165 mm - and require a steeper pitch and a closer batten gauge, which means more tiles and more labour per square metre.

Pros:

• Excellent longevity - a well-fired clay tile can last 80 to 100 years or more
• Age well and blend naturally with older properties
• Often required by planners on listed buildings or in conservation areas
• Relatively light compared with concrete interlocking tiles at similar coverage

Cons:

• Higher material and labour cost than concrete tiles
• Specific pitch requirements - not suitable for roofs below around 35 degrees without engineering review
• Matching existing clay tiles on a partial replacement can be difficult, as old stock varies in colour and size

Natural Slate

Welsh or Spanish natural slate is a premium option used on both traditional and contemporary properties. Slate is thin and light relative to its strength, which makes it suitable for roofs where the rafter structure cannot carry heavier tiles.

Pros:

• Long service life - quality Welsh slate can last well over a century
• Aesthetically versatile, suits both period and modern properties
• Lighter than concrete tiles
• Very low water absorption when properly dressed and fixed

Cons:

• Higher material cost, particularly for Welsh slate
• Requires skilled fixing - each slate is individually nailed and the gauge must be precise to maintain correct headlap
• Brittle if walked on; access for future maintenance needs care
• Spanish slate varies in quality; not all grades perform equally over time

Fibre Cement and Artificial Slate

Fibre cement slates are manufactured to replicate the appearance of natural slate at a lower price point. They are consistent in size and thickness, which can make laying slightly faster than natural slate.

Pros:

• Lower cost than natural slate
• Uniform dimensions make for straightforward laying
• Available in a range of colours

Cons:

• Shorter lifespan than natural slate - typically 30 to 40 years before they begin to degrade
• Do not replicate the texture of natural slate convincingly at close range
• May not be accepted by planners where natural materials are required

Flat Roof Systems

Flat roofs are common on extensions, outbuildings and some bungalow sections. The two systems we use most are layered felt and EPDM rubber.

Layered mineral felt - typically three layers with a mineral-faced cap sheet - is the long-established standard. When properly installed with adequate falls and correctly sealed upstands, it performs reliably and is straightforward to repair. A well-laid three-layer felt roof can be expected to last around 15 to 20 years before it needs attention, though this varies with the quality of the installation and the exposure of the roof.

EPDM rubber is now the preferred option on many new flat roof jobs. It is a single-ply membrane that is fully adhered to the deck, with very few seams and those that exist are bonded with contact adhesive rather than heat. It is highly resistant to UV degradation and remains flexible in cold weather, which prevents the cracking that affects older felt in frost. A properly installed EPDM roof can last 30 years or more. The material cost is higher than felt, but the longer service life and lower maintenance requirement often make it better value overall.

Underlay and Battens - the Parts You Cannot See

Whatever tile or slate goes on top, the underlay and battens beneath are critical. Modern breathable membrane underlay allows moisture vapour to pass out of the roof space while keeping wind-driven rain out. It is a significant improvement on the old bitumen felt that becomes brittle within 20 to 30 years. Specify a breathable underlay on any new roof - it is standard practice and any roofer using old-style bitumen felt on a new installation needs to explain why.

Batten quality matters too. Graded tiling batten to BS 5534 is the standard for new work. Under-specified batten can warp or split, which lifts tiles and creates gaps. Ask your roofer what standard the batten meets.

What Affects the Cost of Materials?

Material costs shift with supply and demand, but as a general guide, concrete interlocking tiles are the most economical pitched roof option, clay plain tiles sit in the middle, and natural Welsh slate is the most expensive per square metre of coverage. EPDM rubber costs more than felt per metre but requires less frequent replacement.

The choice of ridge and hip system also affects cost. Mechanically fixed dry-ridge systems cost more upfront than mortar bedding but do not need re-pointing after 10 to 15 years. On a new roof, dry-fix is nearly always the better long-term choice.

We Cover March and the Surrounding Area

We install new roofs across March and the nearby area, as well as serving customers in Swaffham, Shouldham, Shouldham Thorpe, Stoke Ferry, Southery, Stradsett, Watlington, West Walton, Walpole, West Acre, Wormegay and South Wootton. If you are trying to decide what material is right for your property, call us to arrange a roof survey in March and we will give you a clear written assessment and the options that genuinely suit your building.