- Price per m²
- £77–£144
- Typical life
- 20–40 years
- Manufacturer guarantees
- 20–25 year material warranties on specified systems
- Typical garage roof
- £1,850–£3,350
Dorset at a glance
How much does a GRP fibreglass roof cost in Dorset?
Guide prices including VAT at South West rates. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
| Job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Extension (20 m²), GRP, new deck + insulation | £3,100–£5,550 |
| Dormer (8 m²), GRP, scaffold | £1,450–£2,750 |
| Single garage (18 m²), GRP fibreglass | £1,850–£3,350 |
| Single garage (18 m²), EPDM rubber | £1,650–£2,900 |
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM, new deck + insulation | £2,900–£5,050 |
Which flat roofs are common in Dorset?
Flat roofs in Dorset sit on bungalows with flat-roofed side extensions and dormers, 1960s and 1970s link-detached houses with flat-roofed garages and porches and low-rise post-war blocks of flats. The South West averages roughly 1,260 mm of rain a year and many roofs face wind off the Atlantic, so we specify fixings and edge details for wind uplift as well as drainage. Approximate 1991–2020 regional averages based on Met Office data.
Building regulations in England
Replacing more than half of a roof over a heated room usually counts as renovating a thermal element, so it is insulated to current standards and notified to building control. Renovated roofs over heated rooms are insulated to around 0.16 W/m²K where that's feasible, and new extension roofs are built to 0.15 W/m²K. In Dorset the application goes to BCP Council and Dorset Council. More on the rules.
Will a new GRP roof need extra insulation to meet building regulations?
If the roof is over a heated room and you are replacing more than half of it, usually yes. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland that counts as renovating a thermal element, and in Scotland the council's building standards service will say whether a building warrant applies.
GRP pairs well with a warm roof because the new deck boards it needs can sit on top of the insulation. The result is thicker, so we check at survey that there is room under door cills and wall flashings, and that the upstands can finish around 150 mm above the new surface. Where approval is needed we arrange it with building control or building standards.
Unheated, detached garages normally sit outside the thermal rules. See the building regulations page for each nation, or the warm vs cold roof guide for why we avoid cold roofs where we can.
How long does a GRP roof last, and is it guaranteed?
A properly laid GRP roof typically lasts 20 to 40 years. The range is wide because so much depends on the laminate being fully wetted out, the deck staying dry and stable, and the topcoat being renewed if it wears.
When GRP fails early, the cause is usually one of these:
- resin laid in damp or cold conditions that never fully cured;
- cracks at board joints or trims where movement was not allowed for;
- a deck that was wet, soft or poorly fixed before laminating;
- a thin or patchy topcoat that has weathered through.
On guarantees, manufacturer material guarantees are available on many specified GRP systems, and some need a registered build-up or an approved installer. Where registration is possible, we do it for you. Every re-roof also comes with our written workmanship guarantee, with the length set out in your quote, and you can ask about insurance-backed options. Read more in our guarantees guide.
Which towns in Dorset do we cover?
GRP fibreglass roofing in Dorset: questions
Which towns in Dorset do you cover?
All of Dorset. The main towns have their own pages below, and if yours isn't listed we still cover it: send your postcode and we'll confirm.
How much does a GRP fibreglass roof cost in Dorset?
£3,100–£5,550 for a 20 m² extension roof in GRP with a new deck and insulation, at South West guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
Which council handles building control for a flat roof in Dorset?
It depends on where the roof is: in Dorset that's BCP Council and Dorset Council. Replacing more than half of a roof over a heated room usually counts as renovating a thermal element, so it is insulated to current standards and notified to building control. We confirm which applies at the survey.
Can you walk on a GRP roof?
Yes, a correctly laid GRP roof takes occasional foot traffic, such as cleaning windows or maintaining plant. For a regular walkway or terrace, an anti-slip topcoat and a suitable specification are needed.
Can a cracked GRP roof be repaired?
Often, yes. The area is ground back, cleaned and re-laminated with fresh mat and topcoat. If cracks keep returning along joints, the deck or detailing usually needs attention rather than another patch.
Does GRP smell when it is being laid?
Yes, the resin gives off a strong styrene smell while it cures. It usually fades within a day or so, and we advise keeping nearby windows closed while the team works.
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