Replacing Flat roof, told insulation upgrade needed
Discussion
Had a quote to replace a flat roof and was told that it needs to have 130mm of insulation added. As this is effectively just replacing what is already there can someone explain why the insulation is needed.
I understand adding insulation is good but it appears the flat roof cannot be replaced without doing the insulation work and I would like to understand what is driving this.
Any help appreciated.
I understand adding insulation is good but it appears the flat roof cannot be replaced without doing the insulation work and I would like to understand what is driving this.
Any help appreciated.
As aboce, building regs. If you don't want the additional work, expense and associated benefits you can 'repair' the roof by laying an additional layer. Repairs are not notifiable and no additional insulation need be added...
Roof repairs
Flat roof being re-covered. As of the 15 July 2010 the definition of 'renovation' in regulation 2(1) of the Building Regulations 2010 has been amended. This means for example, that the repair of a flat roof by the addition of an additional layer to the existing roof by the laying of a liquid sealant to the roof surface or a new layer of felt will no longer fall within the definition of 'building work' in regulation 3(1) of the Building Regulations as it is a repair not a renovation and as such will no longer be notifiable building work.
Please note that this change does not affect the current position in relation to pitched roofs or where flat roofs are altered by the removal and replacement of a layer or layers.
However where a roof is altered by the removal and replacement of at least 25 per cent of a layer or layers this work is considered to be a renovation and is therefore classed as building work which remains notifiable and requires a Building Regulations application to be deposited unless your chosen contractor is registered with Competent Roofer the competent person scheme for roofing works in which case you will not need to apply for permission from Building Control as the installer will notify their competent person scheme provider, who will in turn notify us.
Roof repairs
Flat roof being re-covered. As of the 15 July 2010 the definition of 'renovation' in regulation 2(1) of the Building Regulations 2010 has been amended. This means for example, that the repair of a flat roof by the addition of an additional layer to the existing roof by the laying of a liquid sealant to the roof surface or a new layer of felt will no longer fall within the definition of 'building work' in regulation 3(1) of the Building Regulations as it is a repair not a renovation and as such will no longer be notifiable building work.
Please note that this change does not affect the current position in relation to pitched roofs or where flat roofs are altered by the removal and replacement of a layer or layers.
However where a roof is altered by the removal and replacement of at least 25 per cent of a layer or layers this work is considered to be a renovation and is therefore classed as building work which remains notifiable and requires a Building Regulations application to be deposited unless your chosen contractor is registered with Competent Roofer the competent person scheme for roofing works in which case you will not need to apply for permission from Building Control as the installer will notify their competent person scheme provider, who will in turn notify us.
herewego said:
It would make absolutely no sense to replace the roof and fail to install as much insulation as you can.
Depends how long you're living there.I'm currently selling my house that I built last year - massively insulated, A rated glass - EPC B
NO ONE CARES
I can't get any kind of premium compared to the surrounding EPC D-F homes that would cost circa £20k to get to a similar level.
V8RX7 said:
I'm currently selling my house that I built last year - massively insulated, A rated glass - EPC B
NO ONE CARES
I can't get any kind of premium compared to the surrounding EPC D-F homes that would cost circa £20k to get to a similar level.
I suppose you need one of the 'Grand Design' types who would otherwise be willing to spend a lot building 'an ecohome' or whatever they're called.NO ONE CARES
I can't get any kind of premium compared to the surrounding EPC D-F homes that would cost circa £20k to get to a similar level.
V8RX7 said:
herewego said:
It would make absolutely no sense to replace the roof and fail to install as much insulation as you can.
Depends how long you're living there.I'm currently selling my house that I built last year - massively insulated, A rated glass - EPC B
NO ONE CARES
I can't get any kind of premium compared to the surrounding EPC D-F homes that would cost circa £20k to get to a similar level.
Just out of interest was that insulated to meet building regs. or insulated to better than building regs.?
herewego said:
Yes I know that no one cares, I see it everyday on this forum.
That's why we have building regulations.
Just out of interest was that insulated to meet building regs. or insulated to better than building regs.?
Do you think this forum is indicative of the general population ?That's why we have building regulations.
Just out of interest was that insulated to meet building regs. or insulated to better than building regs.?
If everyone cared - why would we have Regulations ?
As the EPC takes the Air Test into account and you don't know the result of the Air Test until the end of the build, in hindsight with my result of 3, I could have reduced certain elements - like the A rated glass - however I don't think it would meet the current Regs.
But as no one checks what insulation is installed, nor the window stickers etc I should have lied and got an EPC A rating - but no buyers (well maybe 0.001%) care.
herewego said:
It would make absolutely no sense to replace the roof and fail to install as much insulation as you can.
I took the opposite view recently. It would have cost me £1500 extra to strip the roof boards, install the insulation and replace all the boarding. My gas bill is ~£600/year, even if the extra insulation knocked 20% off that bill (It won't as it is a tiny proportion of the floor area of the house) it would take far longer than the lifespan of the new roof to pay back.The roof is a large flat roof covering a loft conversion in a bungalow, from what has been said replacing the whole thing is classed as a renovation and not a repair which means the structure has to be brought up to the latest building regs for insulation.
During the initial conversion probably late 70's the council restricted the flat roof height to be no higher than the peak of the pitched roof so adding the extra insulation would breach this limitation. Apparently the council are okay with breaking the height limit to get the insulation in there.
As it turns out the leak that prompted the replacement quote was actually a loose flashing on the chimney which was fixed for £80 and he even fixed the front wall which someone had knocked over, top bloke.
Thanks to ph for answering the query :-)
During the initial conversion probably late 70's the council restricted the flat roof height to be no higher than the peak of the pitched roof so adding the extra insulation would breach this limitation. Apparently the council are okay with breaking the height limit to get the insulation in there.
As it turns out the leak that prompted the replacement quote was actually a loose flashing on the chimney which was fixed for £80 and he even fixed the front wall which someone had knocked over, top bloke.
Thanks to ph for answering the query :-)
brycheiniog1 said:
herewego said:
It would make absolutely no sense to replace the roof and fail to install as much insulation as you can.
I took the opposite view recently. It would have cost me £1500 extra to strip the roof boards, install the insulation and replace all the boarding. My gas bill is ~£600/year, even if the extra insulation knocked 20% off that bill (It won't as it is a tiny proportion of the floor area of the house) it would take far longer than the lifespan of the new roof to pay back.brycheiniog1 said:
herewego said:
It would make absolutely no sense to replace the roof and fail to install as much insulation as you can.
I took the opposite view recently. It would have cost me £1500 extra to strip the roof boards, install the insulation and replace all the boarding. My gas bill is ~£600/year, even if the extra insulation knocked 20% off that bill (It won't as it is a tiny proportion of the floor area of the house) it would take far longer than the lifespan of the new roof to pay back.Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff