Your Options for Covering a Flat Roof in Sussex: My No-Nonsense Guide

If you’re looking at your tired old flat roof in Brighton, wondering what to cover it with, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve been tackling flat roofs across Sussex for nearly two decades, and I’ve seen it all. Forget the sales pitches. Here’s the straight talk on what actually works, what’s a waste of money, and when you’re better off calling in a professional.

Q1: So, what are my main options for a new flat roof covering?

Let’s cut through the noise. In my experience, there are three main systems worth considering for a residential property in the UK:

  • High-Performance Torch-On Felt: This isn’t the cheap felt your grandad had on his shed. Modern systems use multiple layers of modified bitumen felt, heat-welded together to create a tough, seamless waterproof barrier. It’s reliable, cost-effective, and my go-to for most jobs.
  • GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) / Fibreglass: This is a liquid system that cures into a hard, durable, and completely seamless plastic shell. It’s brilliant for roofs that will have foot traffic, like balconies.
  • EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) / Rubber: This is essentially a large rubber sheet that’s glued down to the roof deck. It can be very effective, but it’s only as good as the installer – the seams and edges are critical weak points if not done perfectly.

Q2: Which covering is best for my specific roof in Brighton or Worthing?

‘Best’ depends entirely on the job. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

For the vast majority of extensions and garage roofs, I stick with high-performance torch-on felt. It has a proven track record, handles our coastal weather brilliantly, and offers the best balance of cost and longevity. It’s what I’d recommend for the typical flat roof on your garage or rear extension.

However, if you’re talking about walk-on balconies or roof terraces, GRP fibreglass is the only way to go. It’s incredibly tough, can be finished with a non-slip coating, and forms a seamless shell that can withstand chairs, tables, and people walking on it.

Q3: Can I just cover over my old, leaking felt roof?

I get asked this all the time. The short answer is an emphatic NO. Covering over an old roof is one of the worst mistakes you can make. You’re essentially putting a new plaster on a septic wound.

Why? Because you’re trapping moisture, rot, and problems underneath. The timber decking is almost certainly damp or rotten in places where the old roof was failing. Putting a new layer on top just hides the problem, adds unnecessary weight, and guarantees it will fail again sooner rather than later. The only proper way is to strip everything back to the roof joists, replace any rotten timber decking, and start fresh with a new, properly installed system. It’s the core of my flat roof replacement service.

Q4: What about those DIY paint-on roof sealers or repair kits?

Right, let’s be brutally honest. Products like Acrypol or other fibre-reinforced paints can, in a pinch, plug a very small, obvious hole to stop water getting in for a few weeks while you wait for a proper repair. Think of it as a temporary first-aid bandage.

But it is NOT a long-term fix. I’ve seen countless roofs in Hove and Worthing covered in this stuff. It cracks under the sun, peels away, and often makes the underlying problem worse. When I arrive, I have to spend extra time scraping all the sticky gunk off before I can even start the real repair. If your DIY attempt goes wrong and you spring a serious leak, you’ll need an emergency leak repair, which can end up costing you more.

Q5: So, what’s the right way to get a flat roof covered?

It’s about doing the job properly from the foundations up. Here’s my process:

  1. Full Strip-Off: I remove every last bit of the old felt, stone chippings, and any underlying layers.
  2. Deck Inspection: I thoroughly check the timber roof deck (usually OSB3 boards) for any softness, rot, or water damage. I replace any compromised boards as a standard part of the job.
  3. New System Installation: I lay a complete, new multi-layer system. This includes a vapour control layer, insulation if required, and the final waterproof coverings, all finished with new drip trims and upstands.
  4. Attention to Detail: Ensuring the lead flashing is correct and all details are sealed is what separates a 20-year roof from a 5-year problem.

Don’t gamble with short-term patches. If your flat roof is on its last legs, the best thing you can do is get an honest assessment of what it needs. If you’re in the Brighton area, I’m happy to come out and have a look. You can book a free, no-obligation roof inspection directly on my website, and I’ll give you a fixed-price quote with no hidden extras.