Flat RoofingContractors

Flat roof systems

Liquid-applied roofing across Cornwall

We install liquid-applied roofing across Cornwall, from balconies and garage roofs to commercial roofs with plant and pipework. Every job begins with a free survey that checks the substrate for moisture, adhesion and falls, so we only overlay where the existing roof is genuinely sound. You get a fixed written quote naming the system and thickness.

Grey liquid waterproofing and reinforcement fleece rolled around a vent pipe on a flat roofComputer-generated example image
Price per m²
£93–£144
Typical life
10–25+ years by product
Manufacturer guarantees
10, 15 or 20-year guarantees by named system
Typical garage roof
£2,100–£3,350

Cornwall at a glance

Largest towns
Redruth, Falmouth, St Austell, Truro
Postcode areas
PL, TR
Building control
Cornwall Council
Neighbouring areas
Devon · Somerset · Bristol · Dorset
Guide price region
South West (+3% on West Midlands rates)

How much does a liquid-applied roof cost in Cornwall?

Guide prices including VAT at South West rates. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.

JobGuide price inc VAT
Single garage (18 m²), liquid-applied£2,100–£3,350
Balcony (12 m²), liquid-applied, scaffold£1,950–£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 Cornwall?

Flat roofs in Cornwall sit on terraced streets with flat-roofed rear kitchens and bathrooms, lock-up garage blocks on estates and 1930s semis with flat-roofed garages and kitchen extensions. 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 Cornwall the application goes to Cornwall Council. More on the rules.

Do building regulations apply if a liquid coating goes over my roof?

They can. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, re-covering more than half of a roof over a heated room is usually renovation of a thermal element, even when the new membrane goes over the old, so the roof should be insulated towards the renovation standard where feasible; for a Scottish property, the local building standards team will confirm whether a warrant is required.

A minor coating repair to a small area is different from re-covering the whole roof. Where insulation is needed, an overlay is not always practical, because the insulation has to go under a new waterproof layer. In that case we may recommend stripping to the deck, fitting a warm roof and applying the liquid system on top. Where approval applies, we deal with the paperwork; details are on the building regulations page.

Can a liquid roof go over my existing roof, and what preparation is needed?

Yes, if the existing roof is dry, firmly bonded and sitting on a sound deck. A liquid membrane is only as good as what lies beneath it, so we test the old roof before agreeing to overlay it.

At survey we check for:

  • Trapped moisture: soft spots, blisters or wet insulation mean the roof should be stripped, because water sealed in will cause new blisters and decay.
  • Deck condition: any sponginess or deflection needs repair first.
  • Adhesion: on felt and asphalt, loose areas are cut out and patched, and the existing surface must take the primer properly.
  • Falls and ponding: a coating follows the roof as it is. If water ponds now, it will pond on the new surface too unless the falls are corrected.

Preparation then follows: loose chippings removed, the surface cleaned and left to dry, blisters cut back and repaired, cracks filled, and the right primer applied. On older felt, mineral surfaces may need extra cleaning to give a good bond. Where the tests fail, we say so plainly and quote for a strip and re-roof. Read more on ponding water.

Which towns in Cornwall do we cover?

Liquid-applied roofing in Cornwall: questions

Which towns in Cornwall do you cover?

All of Cornwall. 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 liquid-applied roof cost in Cornwall?

£2,100–£3,350 for a typical 18 m² garage roof in a liquid-applied system, 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 Cornwall?

It depends on where the roof is: in Cornwall that's Cornwall 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.

Does a liquid roof smell when it is applied?

Some systems, particularly PMMA, have a strong odour during application, while many polyurethane and water-based products are milder. We tell you what to expect and plan around windows and vents.

Is liquid roofing good for balconies?

Often, yes. It forms neatly around railings, door thresholds and drains, and some systems take foot traffic. A new balcony or roof terrace generally needs planning permission, so check before converting a roof.

What is a fleece-reinforced liquid roof?

It is a liquid membrane with a polyester fleece embedded between coats. The fleece adds strength, helps control thickness and resists cracking where the surface moves slightly.

Everything about liquid-applied roofing → · All flat roofing in Cornwall →

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