Pitched Roofing Service in Norwich and Norfolk

Pitched roofs are known for their longevity and durability. The design of pitched roofs make them an effective option when it comes to drainage. Water is naturally channelled into downpipes and guttering, and efficiently removed from the property.

So whether you choose to refurbish your existing roof, or decide to build a new one, our comprehensive pitched roofing service will ensure your roof transformation is both aesthetically pleasing and set for long term performance.

Contact us today to discuss your roofing requirements.

A guide to pitched roofing

Choosing a roof covering

Most pitched roofs in Norfolk are covered in one of four materials. Clay pantiles, with their S-shaped profile, are the traditional Norfolk roof and suit older cottages, barns and farm buildings. Plain clay tiles are small, flat tiles laid in close courses, often seen on Victorian and Edwardian houses. Concrete tiles are the usual choice on modern homes and come in many profiles and colours. Natural slate is thin and durable, and suits terraces and period properties.

The right covering depends on the age and style of the building, the pitch of the roof, what the neighbouring roofs use and any listing or conservation area rules. We will talk you through the options with your quotation.

What a re-roof involves

• Scaffolding goes up and the old tiles or slates are stripped, with any worth keeping set aside for reuse.
• The roof timbers are checked, and any that are damaged or rotten are repaired or replaced.
• A new breathable membrane and new battens are fitted.
• The new covering is laid, with the ridges, hips and valleys finished and the leadwork renewed where the roof meets walls and chimneys.
• The site is cleared and the old materials taken away.

Repair or replace?

A pitched roof that is basically sound can usually be put right with targeted repairs: replacing slipped or broken tiles, rebedding a ridge or renewing a valley. When tiles are failing across the roof, the felt underneath has perished or repairs keep coming back to the same place, a re-roof is usually the better long-term value.

Planning, building regulations and listed buildings

Replacing a roof covering like for like rarely needs planning permission. Changing to a different material, especially a heavier one, or altering the shape of the roof may need Building Regulations approval or planning permission. Listed buildings need listed building consent for most changes, and properties in a conservation area can have extra restrictions. It is worth confirming with your local council before work starts.

Looking after a pitched roof

Check the roof from the ground after high winds for slipped or missing tiles, keep gutters and valleys clear of leaves and moss, and look in the loft now and then for daylight or damp. Small problems found early are quicker to put right than the damage they cause if left.

Roof coverings compared

What affects the cost of a new roof

Every roof is priced on its own, and the main things that move the figure are:

• The size of the roof, and how many hips, valleys, dormers and chimneys it has
• The covering chosen: concrete tiles usually cost least, clay tiles and natural slate more
• The condition of the timbers underneath, and whether any need replacing
• Scaffolding, which depends on the height of the building and how easy it is to reach
• Whether the leadwork, fascias, soffits and guttering are renewed at the same time
• Taking away the old roof covering

A free, no-obligation quotation from DH Roofing Contractors sets out what your roof needs, so you know the cost before you commit to anything.

How long does a pitched roof last?

It depends on the material, the quality of the original work, how exposed the roof is and how well it has been looked after. Concrete tiles last for decades, and good clay tiles and natural slate can last a great deal longer. On many older roofs it is not the tiles that fail first but what holds them on: the nails, the battens and the felt underneath. That is why a roof whose tiles still look sound can still need re-roofing.

Ridges, hips and verges

The ridge is the line of tiles along the top of the roof, the hips run down the sloping corners, and the verges are the edges at each gable end. Traditionally all three were bedded in mortar, which cracks and loosens with age and lets tiles slip or blow off in high winds. Since the 2014 revision of the British Standard for slating and tiling, BS 5534, ridge, hip and verge tiles on new roofs must be mechanically fixed rather than relying on mortar alone, and dry fix systems with clips and seals are a common way of doing it.

Ventilation and condensation in the loft

Modern breathable membranes let water vapour escape from the loft while keeping rain out. Older roofs with bitumen felt, or lofts with insulation packed tight to the eaves, can trap condensation, which shows as damp patches, mould or wet timbers. A re-roof is the time to put that right, with a breathable membrane and ventilation at the eaves and the ridge.

Roof windows

A re-roof or a loft conversion is a good moment to add light to the roof space. Roof windows such as Velux windows are flashed into the tiles with a kit made for the window and the tile profile, so they stay watertight. Our gallery includes Velux windows fitted in tiled roofs.