Flat roofing
Flat roofing is the design, repair and replacement of waterproof systems — EPDM rubber, GRP fibreglass, single-ply membrane, liquid-applied and modern warm-roof felt — on the flat and low-pitch roofs of homes and businesses.
The right flat roof system for your roof
"Flat roof" used to mean pour-and-roll felt that failed within a decade. Modern flat roofing is a different world, and there's no single best system — it depends on the roof. We install EPDM rubber for a tough, single-piece cover on garages, extensions and smaller roofs; GRP fibreglass for a hard, seamless, walk-on finish on balconies and dormers; single-ply membranes (Bauder, IKO) on larger roofs; and liquid-applied systems for complex, heavily detailed roofs or for over-coating an existing roof without a full strip. We survey first and recommend the system that fits.
Repairs, over-coats and full warm-roof replacements
A localised split, a failed upstand or a blocked outlet is a repair, not a re-roof. Where the membrane is at the end of its life or the insulation below is wet, a full replacement is the honest call — and we build it back as a modern warm roof, with upgraded insulation and a vapour control layer so it's warmer, drier and lasts decades. Where the deck is sound but the surface is tired, a liquid over-coat can add years for a fraction of the cost. We'll tell you plainly which you need.
What's included
- EPDM rubber flat roofs (extensions, garages, smaller roofs)
- GRP fibreglass (balconies, dormers, walk-on finishes)
- Single-ply membrane systems (Bauder, IKO) for larger roofs
- Liquid-applied waterproofing and over-coating
- Warm-roof felt replacement with upgraded insulation
- Flat-roof repairs, leak tracing and storm-damage make-safe
- Tenement box and flat roofs, dormers, bay windows and outriggers
- Rooflights, outlets and detailing done properly to stop ponding
Flat roofs in Edinburgh
Across Edinburgh and the Lothians we work on rear extensions, dormers, garages, bay windows and tenement box and flat roofs every week. Many shared tenement flat roofs mean communal repairs and statutory notices — we coordinate between owners, quote the shared cost clearly and carry out the work. For larger premises, see our commercial flat roofing service, or read our guides on single-ply systems and the benefits of a flat roof. Ready to go? Book a free survey or try the free AI roof report.
From the survey to the finished roof, everything was on time, tidy and exactly what we were quoted. You can tell it's a proper family firm that cares about the work.
Get a free survey for your roof
No obligation, no pushy sales — just an honest look and a clear written quote.
Book a free survey 0800 234 3243Common questions
What's the best flat roof system?
There's no single answer — it depends on the roof's size, falls, foot traffic and budget. EPDM rubber gives a tough, single-piece cover that's ideal for garages, extensions and smaller roofs. GRP fibreglass gives a hard, seamless, walk-on finish that suits balconies and dormers. Single-ply membranes (Bauder, IKO) suit larger roofs. Liquid-applied systems are perfect for complex, heavily detailed roofs or for over-coating an existing roof without a full strip. We survey first and specify the system that fits your roof.
How long does a flat roof last?
A modern, correctly installed flat roof typically lasts 25–30 years or more — a world away from the old pour-and-roll felt that gave flat roofs a bad name. The big factors are the detailing at upstands and outlets, falls that don't pond, and the quality of the install. Most flat-roof failures start at a junction or a blocked outlet, not the membrane itself, which is where we put the care.
Can my flat roof be repaired, or does it need replacing?
Often it can be repaired — a localised split, a failed upstand or a blocked outlet is a repair, not a re-roof. Where the membrane has reached the end of its life or the insulation below is wet, a full replacement is the honest call. If the deck is sound but the surface is tired, a liquid over-coat can add years for a fraction of the cost. We tell you plainly which situation you're in after a free survey.
Do you replace old felt flat roofs?
Yes, all the time. We strip tired built-up felt and replace it with a modern warm-roof build-up — upgraded insulation, a vapour control layer and a long-life membrane (EPDM, GRP, single-ply or liquid). The result is warmer, drier and lasts decades rather than years.
Do you do flat roofs on tenement and extension roofs in Edinburgh?
Yes — tenement box and flat roofs, rear extensions, dormers, bay windows, garages and outriggers are everyday work for us across Edinburgh and the Lothians. Many shared tenement flat roofs involve communal repairs and statutory notices, which we coordinate and carry out.
Do you cover commercial flat roofs too?
Yes. Alongside domestic work we deliver commercial and industrial flat roofing — large single-ply re-roofs, cladding, gutter-lining and planned maintenance. See our dedicated commercial flat roofing page.
Explore further.
Commercial flat roofing
Large-scale single-ply, cladding, gutter-lining and maintenance contracts.
Read moreSingle-ply roofing explained
How Bauder and IKO membranes work and where they suit best.
Read moreThe benefits of a flat roof
Why a modern flat roof is warmer, longer-lasting and better value.
Read moreMaintaining a felt roof
How to get the most life out of a felt flat roof.
Read moreNeed this done properly?
A free, no-obligation survey and a fixed written quote from Edinburgh's award-winning family roofers.