North Walsham Roofers carries out full roof replacements in Cromer, helping homeowners choose the right material for a lasting result and a fair price.
When a roof reaches the end of its life, the replacement is an opportunity to get the covering right for the next several decades. The material you choose affects the cost, the appearance, the weight the structure has to carry, and how much attention the roof will need going forward. There is no single best option - the right choice depends on the house, the budget and what already exists.
Below is an honest look at the main options available for pitched roofs and flat roofs, with the genuine advantages and drawbacks of each. We cover Cromer and the surrounding area from our base in North Walsham.
Concrete tiles are widely available, straightforward to lay, and relatively affordable compared to natural materials. A full re-roof using concrete interlocking tiles on a typical semi-detached house typically costs in the region of £5,000 to £9,000 depending on size, access and the extent of any structural work needed.
Pros: Competitive price. Wide range of colours and profiles. Consistent sizing makes laying faster. Replacement tiles are easy to source if one breaks years later.
Cons: Heavy - a full concrete tile roof can weigh considerably more than natural slate, which matters if the structure has been weakened by age. The surface carbonates over time, making the tile porous. Quality varies significantly between manufacturers, and the cheapest tiles have a shorter useful life. Not appropriate for roofs with a shallow pitch unless specifically rated for it.
Clay tiles are a traditional roofing material and remain a popular choice where appearance matters. They are lighter than concrete and the colour is baked in rather than applied as a surface coating, so they tend to look better for longer.
Pros: Attractive and natural-looking. Longer life expectancy than concrete - good quality clay tiles can last 60 to 100 years when properly maintained. Lighter than equivalent concrete tiles.
Cons: More expensive than concrete, both for the tiles themselves and the time taken to lay them (plain tiles are smaller and require more battens and more individual fixings). If the property is listed or in a conservation area, clay is often the only acceptable option, which reduces your room to negotiate on cost.
Slate is the premium option for pitched roofs and is the material most associated with quality on older properties. Spanish slate is the most widely used imported option; Welsh slate is the domestic benchmark and carries a significant price premium.
Pros: Very long lifespan - Welsh slate in particular can last over a century. Thin and lightweight compared to concrete. Excellent appearance. Does not absorb water in the way concrete does, so it is not vulnerable to frost cracking in the same way.
Cons: Spanish slate varies considerably in quality between grades; ask your roofer which grade they are pricing for. Welsh slate costs significantly more. Natural slate requires more skilled fixing than interlocking tiles - slates are nailed individually and the gauge (the spacing) must be set correctly for the pitch of your roof. A full re-roof in natural slate on a typical house can cost £8,000 to £15,000 or more, depending on size and slate specification.
Reconstituted or synthetic slate tiles are made from a mix of materials and designed to replicate the look of natural slate at a lower price point. They are interlocking, which speeds up installation.
Pros: Less expensive than natural slate. More consistent sizing than natural slate, making laying more straightforward. Reasonable appearance from ground level.
Cons: The long-term track record of some products is shorter than natural slate, and quality varies between manufacturers. They will not satisfy planners on a listed building or in a conservation area where natural slate is specified.
If the property has a flat roof section - a rear extension, a bay window top, a dormer or a garage - the material choice is separate from the main pitched roof.
Traditional torch-on felt has been the standard for decades. A felt flat roof, properly installed in three layers, has a typical life of 15 to 20 years. It is a well-understood material and straightforward to repair. The cost for a flat roof replacement in felt is typically £50 to £80 per square metre installed.
EPDM rubber membrane is an increasingly popular alternative. It is a single-ply membrane bonded to the deck and is more resistant to cracking and UV degradation than felt. A well-installed EPDM roof can last 30 to 50 years with minimal maintenance. The installed cost is typically £60 to £100 per square metre. The higher upfront cost is usually offset by the longer service life.
Both systems require a sound, rigid deck underneath. If the existing deck boards have rotted, they need to be replaced before any new membrane is laid - this is a common additional cost on older flat roofs and should be included in any quote you receive.
These are typically replaced at the same time as the roof because scaffolding is already in place and the eaves area is exposed. UPVC fascias and soffits are low maintenance and the most common choice. Timber equivalents need periodic painting to stay in good condition. Guttering systems in cast iron look appropriate on older properties but are heavier and need painting to prevent rusting. A roofer who leaves the guttering in a poor state after a re-roof is not doing the job properly.
Replacing like-for-like on a standard residential property usually does not require Building Regulations approval. Changing to a different material type, altering the roof structure, or adding insulation above the rafters may require approval - and listed buildings require listed building consent for any external changes. Check with the local planning authority if you are unsure before committing to the work.
We work in Cromer and throughout North Norfolk, including Sheringham, Aylsham, Holt, Mundesley, Stalham, Walcott, East Ruston and Melton Constable, all from our base in North Walsham.
If you are weighing up your options for a roof replacement in Cromer, call North Walsham Roofers for a roof survey. We will look at the structure, advise on which materials suit the property, and give you a clear price for the work.
No obligation · We usually respond within 2 hours
Storm damage, active leak, damaged ridge - we aim to be on-site within 24 hours.
