Balconies and roof terraces in Hitchin

What does a balcony or terrace in Hitchin need?

Balcony membranes in Hitchin wear out like any roof, but faster where they are exposed to foot traffic, furniture and planters. Once the topcoat has worn through or cracked around posts and edges, a full re-waterproofing usually lasts longer than repeated patching.

Hitchin's flat roofs are mostly on low-rise post-war blocks of flats, with plenty on terraced streets with flat-roofed rear kitchens and bathrooms too. The East of England is the driest part of Britain, with parts of the Anglian region around 630 mm a year, so summer heat and UV, not rainfall, do most of the ageing on a felt roof.

How much does balcony or terrace waterproofing cost in Hitchin?

For Hitchin we use East of England rates: £2,000–£3,400 is the guide for a 12 m² balcony in a liquid-applied system including scaffold, VAT included. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.

Which waterproofing system is best for a balcony?

For most small balconies, a liquid-applied membrane is the practical choice, because it is brushed or rolled on and forms one continuous layer around posts, door frames and outlets with no seams to fail. Many systems include a hard-wearing, anti-slip topcoat.

GRP fibreglass gives a rigid, walkable surface and suits balconies left exposed rather than paved. On larger roof terraces under paving or decking, single-ply membranes are common, and mastic asphalt has a long record on concrete terraces and blocks of flats.

The choice also depends on what goes on top. Paving on pedestals protects the membrane, while an exposed balcony needs a system rated for foot traffic in its own right. We specify the build-up at survey.

What's included?

• Lifting and setting aside of existing paving or decking
• Written workmanship guarantee, with approvals handled where needed
• Strip-out of the failed membrane and deck repairs
• Sealed details at doors, outlets, walls and balustrade posts

Building regulations in England

Replacing more than half of a flat roof over a heated room usually counts as renovating a thermal element, so the roof is insulated to around 0.16 W/m²K where that's technically and economically feasible, and the work is notified to building control: the council or a registered building control approver, unless a registered competent person self-certifies it. A roof on a new extension is built to 0.15 W/m²K. Patch repairs, and most unheated detached garages, don't trigger the upgrade. Structural changes, or a new covering that adds 15% or more to the roof's weight, also need approval. More on the rules.

Which nearby areas do we also cover?

• Letchworth Garden City · 3 mi
• Stevenage · 5 mi
• Luton · 7 mi
• Biggleswade · 10 mi
• Harpenden · 10 mi
• Ampthill · 10 mi

Other flat roof work in Hitchin

• Warm roof insulation upgrades
• Flat roof surveys and leak tracing
• Garage roofs
• Dormer roofs
• GRP fibreglass roofing
• Flats, HMOs and block roofs
• All services in Hitchin