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Trusted flat roofing specialists
providing services in London since 1949
London has a huge amount of flat roofing, much of it tucked out of sight behind parapets and on the extensions that have been added to terraced houses over the past hundred years. Clarke Roofing carries out flat roofing in London for homeowners, landlords, managing agents and commercial property owners, and this page sets out the kinds of roofs we work on, the systems we use, and the practical side of working in the city. We are a family firm that has been roofing across the South East and into London since 1949.
A lot of people picture a flat roof as a garage or a single-storey extension, and there are plenty of those. But the city's housing throws up flat roofing in places you would not always look for it. The Victorian and Edwardian terraces that fill inner London were often built with parapet walls hiding shallow roofs and central valley gutters behind the front face. Rear extensions, side-return infills and outrigger additions almost all carry flat roofs. Mansard conversions, flat-roofed dormers, lightwell surrounds and the roofs over bay windows add even more.
That is before you reach the purpose-built flats, warehouse conversions and commercial units that use larger areas of flat roof by design. For many properties here the flat sections are doing the hardest work on the building, and when they fail the damage shows up quickly in the rooms below.
We install new flat roofs on extensions, dormers, garages, outbuildings and commercial buildings. We carry out repairs for leaks, ponding water, storm damage and failed seams. Where a covering has had its day, we strip it back and rebuild from the deck up. We also install green roof systems with planting and proper drainage, which suit London's growing demand for roofs that hold water back and add a bit of green to a built-up street.
Every installation is carried out to current Building Regulations, and our installers are trained across all of it.
The best system depends on the building, how the roof is used and reached, and your budget.
Single-ply membranes are light, durable and low maintenance, which makes them a sensible choice on flats and commercial roofs. Built-up bituminous felt gives a strong, multi-layer waterproof finish, and we follow the NFRC safe2Torch guidance on every job. Liquid waterproofing cures into a seamless coating, which is useful on the cut-up roofs and tricky details that are common on older London terraces, where extensions have been built around chimneys, parapets and party walls. EPDM rubber is a hardwearing membrane that works well on extensions and garden buildings.
We are accredited installers for Bauder, Sika, IKO, Langley, BMI Icopal, Garland, Westwood, Soprema, Proteus, MOY, Danosa, Carlisle and Baileys, which means manufacturer-backed guarantees are available on many of our installations.
Working on roofs in London brings practicalities that a job in the countryside does not. Access is often tight, scaffold has to go up on a busy street, parking and loading need planning, and a flat roof on a terrace is usually shared with the neighbour on at least one side. We are used to all of it, and we will talk through access, any party wall considerations and how we will protect the rest of the property before we start.
Large parts of London sit within conservation areas, and listed buildings are common across the boroughs. We have experience working on period properties throughout the South East, including in conservation areas and on listed buildings, and we can advise on what is likely to be acceptable and help with any planning requirements. Where a roof needs traditional materials and methods, our heritage team handles that side of the work.
We are part of the NFRC Competent Roofer scheme, so for most flat roof replacements we can self-certify the work and issue a Building Regulations Completion Certificate without you needing to involve Building Control separately. Before we quote, our estimators can take core samples of the existing build-up where it helps, so the recommendation is based on how the roof was actually constructed.
How much does a flat roof cost in London?
It varies with size, access, the system chosen, and whether we are repairing or replacing. Access and scaffold often weigh more heavily on a London job than the roof area itself. We provide free, no-obligation quotes with clear pricing and no hidden extras.
How long will a new flat roof last?
A quality single-ply or built-up felt roof, well installed, should give 20 to 30 years, and EPDM can last longer. A cheap felt roof done badly might only manage 10.
Can you repair my flat roof instead of replacing it?
Often, yes. Sometimes patching an old roof only delays a replacement that is already due. We will inspect it and give you an honest answer either way.
Do you work with managing agents and landlords?
Yes. We carry out flat roofing in London for private owners, landlords and managing agents across domestic and commercial property.
Flat roofing is one part of what we do. We also carry out slating and tiling, leadwork, zinc and copper roofing, and green roof installations. For period and listed buildings our heritage team restores roofs using traditional methods, which is relevant on many of London's older streets. Beyond roofing we offer carpentry, brickwork and decoration, and as VELUX certified installers we fit rooflights. Where a project needs more than a new roof, we can often take it on as main contractor.
We reach London from our base in the South East, so the southern boroughs sit closest to us, with areas such as Croydon, Bromley, Sutton, Kingston and Wandsworth among the ones we get to most readily. We travel further into the city for larger projects, working on terraces, flats, conversions and commercial buildings. We also cover other areas in the South East such as East Sussex, West Sussex, Surrey, Kent, and Hampshire.
Whether it is a new flat roof on an extension, a parapet roof that has started to leak, or a full replacement on a terrace, we can help. Clarke Roofing has been carrying out flat roofing in London and across the South East since 1949, and we know the kind of property the city is built from. Get a free quote or contact us today.