If you have a flat roof that needs a new surface after years of wear and tear or are about to get one as part of a home extension, one of the questions you should be considering is what material to cover it with.

Different materials can be used - such as modified bitumen, single ply, or even a green roof with a layer of soil and plants. But there are many reasons rubber roofing can be a great option for your flat roof.

EPDM rubber roofing has the most significant benefit for anyone living in or around Manchester. Yes, we all know it doesn’t rain half as much as some claim, but it does get wet a lot in most of the north west, just like almost anywhere on the western side of the UK, so a non-porous material is a great place to start when thinking about your roof covering.

The advantages are numerous; the surface is easily affordable, eco-friendly, a good insulator, fire-resistant and lasts for many years, although not as long as some of the alternatives. However, it is certainly long enough to ensure it is a very good value-for-money investment.

It may not be the most aesthetically pleasing, but you can always put some attractive things on top of it (like flowers and other potted plants).

Another downside is that the surface will decline rapidly at the end of its life, but that will simply be a signal to get it replaced fast. So if you anticipate this and get the replacement fitted as soon as the decline starts to show, you can avoid any damage.

In the meantime, what you will get is many years of excellent cover, offering a reliable waterproof surface that will hold back just about anything the Mancunian weather can throw at it.