Roof work by McCluskey Roofing
Size and shape
The area of the roof is the starting point. Materials, labour and waste removal all scale with it. A single garage with a simple rectangle is far quicker than a double garage, an L-shape or one that wraps around a corner of the house.
Every extra edge, corner and junction adds trim, detailing and time.
Is the garage attached or detached?
A detached garage has edges and drips on all sides but no house wall to seal against. An attached garage needs an upstand and flashing where it meets the house, and sometimes coordination with gutters or windows above. That junction is one of the most important details on the roof.
Flat roofing
- Standing water and roof drainage considered
- Underlying deck condition assessed
- Upstands and wall junctions checked
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Request a free quoteCondition of the deck and joists
Many garage roofs have been leaking slowly for years. Once the felt or sheets are removed, the boards underneath are often soft or rotten, and joists can be wet at the ends.
Replacing decking is a normal part of many jobs, but how much is needed only becomes clear once the old covering is stripped. A good quote explains how this will be handled.
Choice of covering
Felt, EPDM rubber and GRP fibreglass all have different material and labour costs, and each suits different roofs. EPDM is often chosen for garages because it is a single sheet with few joints. Our flat roofing pages explain the differences.
Old asbestos cement sheets
Many garages built in the mid to late twentieth century have corrugated asbestos cement roof sheets. These must not be broken, cut or jet-washed, and they have to be handled and disposed of following Health and Safety Executive rules, with some asbestos work needing a licensed contractor.
If your roof may contain asbestos, it should be tested and removed by a suitable specialist before any new roof goes on. That adds to the overall cost and timescale, and needs arranging in advance.
Pitched or flat replacement
Some people use a garage roof replacement as a chance to change from flat to a pitched or mono-pitch roof. That involves new structural timbers, possibly planning considerations and more materials, so it is a bigger project than a re-cover.
Gutters, fascias and edges
New edge trims, fascia boards and gutters are often renewed with the roof. If the fascias are rotten, it makes sense to replace them at the same time rather than fix new trims to failing timber.
Access and waste
A garage on a driveway is straightforward to reach. One at the end of a back lane, behind a fence or with no space for a skip makes the job slower. Waste removal is part of every quote and depends on how much is coming off.
Is it worth replacing only the covering?
If the deck is sound, renewing just the waterproof covering keeps the cost down. If the boards are soft, laying a new covering over them simply wastes money, as the roof will sag and fail. The decision follows the condition of what is underneath.
Roof lights and penetrations
Some garages have roof lights, vent pipes or cables passing through the roof. Each needs its own sealed detail in the new covering, which takes extra time and materials. Removing an old, leaking roof light rather than replacing it is sometimes an option worth discussing.
Insulation for converted garages
If the garage is used as a gym, workshop or utility room, insulating the roof during replacement can make it far more comfortable. That adds boards and a vapour control layer, and may bring the work within building regulations, so it is worth deciding early.
Timing and weather
Flat roof coverings need dry conditions to lay. A garage roof is usually a short job, but the deck must be dry before the membrane goes on, so work is planned around the forecast and occasionally moved if rain sets in. Leaving the deck open in poor weather is avoided.
Summary
Size, deck, covering, asbestos and access are the main drivers to compare.
Need it sorted? Book a garage roof replacement
Send us photos of the garage roof and tell us what it is covered with now. We will look at the roof and give you a free, itemised quote.