Colinton at a glance
- Postcode districts
- EH13
- Population
- about 7,637 (GeoNames)
- Council area
- City of Edinburgh Council
- Building approval
- City of Edinburgh Council building standards
- Nearest main town
- Edinburgh, about 4 miles
- Guide price region
- Scotland (−5% on West Midlands rates)
What does a balcony or terrace in Colinton need?
A roof terrace in Colinton may be re-waterproofed when the owners want to change the finish, swapping old tiles for decking or porcelain on pedestals. Lifting the surface exposes the membrane, and replacing it then avoids having to lift the new finish again later.
Colinton's flat roofs are mostly on 1930s semis with flat-roofed garages and kitchen extensions, with plenty on low-rise post-war blocks of flats too. Scotland averages roughly 1,570 mm of rain a year, with the west far wetter than the east, so drainage, falls and wind uplift are part of every specification we write.
How much does balcony or terrace waterproofing cost in Colinton?
At Scotland guide rates, a 12 m² balcony in a liquid-applied system including scaffold comes to £1,800–£3,100 including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
| Job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Balcony (12 m²), liquid-applied, scaffold | £1,800–£3,100 |
| Single garage (18 m²), EPDM rubber | £1,500–£2,650 |
| Extension (20 m²), GRP, new deck + insulation | £2,850–£5,100 |
How are thresholds, drainage and paving handled on a terrace?
They are designed together, because most balcony leaks start at the door threshold, a blocked outlet or a fixing driven through the membrane. Getting those three right matters more than the brand of membrane.
Thresholds: upstands are usually 150 mm above the finished surface, but a level or low step-out door cannot always achieve that. Where the upstand has to be reduced, extra protection is needed, such as a drainage channel at the door and a fall away from it, and the membrane must still run up and under the door sill.
Drainage: every terrace needs a reliable way off for water, with outlets sized for the area and an overflow if one outlet could block. Outlets under paving need access for cleaning.
Inverted roofs and pedestals: on an inverted roof the insulation sits above the waterproofing and is held down by paving or ballast, protecting the membrane from sun and foot traffic. Adjustable pedestals lift paving slabs level above the falls, so water drains underneath and the surface stays flat. Balustrade posts are fixed through upstands or side-fixed where possible, with every penetration sealed into the membrane.
What's included?
- Lifting and setting aside of existing paving or decking
- Strip-out of the failed membrane and deck repairs
- Sealed details at doors, outlets, walls and balustrade posts
- New liquid, GRP, single-ply or asphalt waterproofing
Building standards in Scotland
In Scotland the building standards technical handbooks (Section 6 for energy) apply, and the council's building standards service decides whether a building warrant is needed. Like-for-like repairs to a roof covering can be exempt; alterations, structural work and new roofs usually need a warrant before work starts. The domestic roof benchmark is 0.12 W/m²K, applied as far as reasonably practicable on an existing roof. More on the rules.
Which nearby areas do we also cover?
Balconies and roof terraces in Colinton: questions
Do you cover Colinton?
Yes. Colinton is part of our City of Edinburgh coverage, including postcode districts EH13. Surveys and roofs are carried out by vetted roofing teams working under S&K Property Investments and Improvement Ltd.
Who checks building standards for a flat roof in Colinton?
Where the work needs approval it goes to City of Edinburgh Council building standards. We tell you at the survey whether your job needs it and deal with the paperwork as part of the quote.
How much does balcony or terrace waterproofing cost in Colinton?
£1,800–£3,100 for a 12 m² balcony in a liquid-applied system including scaffold, at Scotland guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
Can I put decking straight onto my flat roof?
Not directly onto the membrane. Decking needs a supporting system that spreads the load and lets water drain, and the roof must be checked for the extra weight.
How long does balcony waterproofing last?
It depends on the system and how well it is protected. As indicative ranges, liquid-applied systems last 10–25+ years by product and mastic asphalt 30–60, with good maintenance.