A Handy Guide To Flat Roofs

Daniel Bracewell • 7 May 2021

Flat roofing solutions can offer many advantages, from the design and material options thought to the cost. But is it the right option for your project?

With the government launching a new ‘Right To Build’ scheme and encouraging Brits to consider building their own new home, flat roofs are exceedingly popular with those looking to create a cool, modern home.

Flat roof options help to free up internal space and are often cheaper than pitched roof options as they require fewer materials to cover the same roof span. There is also the opportunity to incorporate a green, or a blue roof onto the flat structure.

There are many advantages to a flat roof:

• It frees up internal space

• More freedom to plan interesting shapes beneath a flat roof without having to worry about the way the roof is held up

• They help to keep the internal temperature stable

• They are cheaper to construct than pitched roofs and need less material to cover the same span

Green and Blue Roofs

There is a growing trend for green roofs that grow sedums, grasses and, done well, they make truly splendid features.

However, there is a lot more to them than a ‘normal’ flat roof. They require a root barrier to stop the plants from interacting with the waterproofing beneath and a flat roof, in particular, requires a drainage layer to retain water, as well as edging features to stop the vegetation from leaching away.

The added weight of a green roof means the underlying structure would need to be beefed up, all of which would add to the cost.

A blue roof aims to attenuate rainwater run-off to prevent localised flooding. This is like a green roof on steroids and involves a far more complicated build-up. It is unlikely that self-builders will be specifying a blue roof unless planners insist on such a feature.

If you’re looking for a flat roof specialist in Stockport, get in touch today.

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Why Spring Is An Ideal Time To Replace The Garage Roof

by Daniel Bracewell • 9 February 2026

With winter now nearing its end, now is a good time to start planning garage roof replacement work as the weather starts to get warmer, drier and lighter.

How Can Ice Dams Damage A Flat Roof?

by Daniel Bracewell • 20 January 2026

With 2026 starting with a burst of cold, wintry weather in the north of England, now is a good time to consider what damage snow and sub-zero temperatures can cause to your flat roofing in Manchester . One potential risk is the formation of ice dams – but what are ice dams, how do they cause damage and what can you do to prevent them? What are ice dams? As their name suggests, ice dams are areas of ice that prevent melted snow and ice flowing off of a roof. They form when the warmth from inside your home hits the roof, melting the snow and ice that has settled on the flat roof. This water then runs off the roof, but if temperatures are still below freezing, as it reaches the colder edges, it can re-freeze, creating a dam. These ice walls hold pooled water on the roof, rather than letting it escape – and it’s this that can cause the damage. On flat roofs, ice dams can also form around depressions in the roof – in other words anywhere that water can sit, you could end up with a pool that is unable to drain. They cause damage because standing water on your roof can seep into the underlying structure if there are any cracks or signs of damage in your roofing material. When ice dams form at the edges of roofs, they can also lead to damp penetrating walls if the pools of melted snow last long enough. How can you prevent ice dams from forming? The best way to prevent ice dams is to ensure that your roof is properly insulated. This will prevent the heat from your home melting the snow that’s accumulated on your flat roof while the outside temperature is still below freezing. Keeping your gutters and drainage channels clear is also essential. This helps to ensure that any snow that does melt has somewhere to go and can safely leave your flat roof. It’s one of the reasons why cleaning your gutters in the autumn is a good idea.

Can You Install Solar Panels On A Flat Roof?

by Daniel Bracewell • 10 December 2025

If you’re exploring how to lower your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint, you may be looking at the likes of solar panels for your home. But what if your property has a flat roof rather than a pitched roof? Can you still install solar panels on a flat roof? The short answer is yes, you can! In fact, it is often easier to install solar panels on a flat roof than it is to fit them to a sloped roof, which might make this an even more appealing avenue to explore when you’re looking at flat roof ideas . In many cases, you also don’t need planning permission to install solar panels on your flat roof. Of course, there are exceptions if you have a listed building or live in a conservation area, but if you own your house (different rules apply for flats too), you should be free to add solar panels to your home as you choose. There are different kinds of mounting systems for flat roof solar panels and which is most appropriate for your home will depend on the direction it faces. It is worth noting that the cost of installing solar panels is often higher on flat roofs because of the mounting system, but some of this can be offset by the lower labour costs because the installation process is usually more straightforward. One of the main reasons homeowners install solar panels is to reduce their energy bills. Many report savings of hundreds of pounds each year, which means these panels often pay for themselves relatively quickly. What’s more, under the Smart Export Guarantee , you can sell any energy you don’t use back to the National Grid, which can increase the rate at which your investment in solar panels pays for itself. So, if you are exploring ways to make the most of your flat roof, consider solar panels as an option to reduce your energy bills and do good for the environment.