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Flat roof systems

Liquid-applied roofing across Scottish Borders

Looking for liquid roofing in Scottish Borders? We use cold-applied systems for roofs with awkward details, balconies and walkways, and for overlays that avoid a full strip-out. Where insulation is needed over a heated room, we will tell you if a strip and warm-roof build-up is the better route, and handle any approval.

Grey liquid waterproofing and reinforcement fleece rolled around a vent pipe on a flat roofComputer-generated example image
Price per m²
£86–£133
Typical life
10–25+ years by product
Manufacturer guarantees
10, 15 or 20-year guarantees by named system
Typical garage roof
£1,950–£3,100

Scottish Borders at a glance

Largest towns
Hawick, Galashiels, Peebles
Postcode areas
EH, TD
Building standards
Scottish Borders Council
Neighbouring areas
Midlothian · East Lothian · City of Edinburgh · West Lothian
Guide price region
Scotland (−5% on West Midlands rates)

How much does a liquid-applied roof cost in Scottish Borders?

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

JobGuide price inc VAT
Single garage (18 m²), liquid-applied£1,950–£3,100
Balcony (12 m²), liquid-applied, scaffold£1,800–£3,100
Single garage (18 m²), EPDM rubber£1,500–£2,650
Extension (20 m²), EPDM, new deck + insulation£2,650–£4,650

Which flat roofs are common in Scottish Borders?

Flat roofs in Scottish Borders sit on newer estates where the first extension roofs are now being replaced, low-rise post-war blocks of flats and lock-up garage blocks on estates. 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. Approximate 1991–2020 regional averages based on Met Office data.

Building standards in Scotland

In Scotland a building warrant is usually needed for alterations, structural work and new roofs; like-for-like repairs to a covering can be exempt. Section 6 of the technical handbooks sets a domestic roof benchmark of 0.12 W/m²K, applied as far as reasonably practicable on an existing roof. In Scottish Borders the application goes to Scottish Borders Council (building standards). More on the rules.

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 Scottish Borders do we cover?

Liquid-applied roofing in Scottish Borders: questions

Which towns in Scottish Borders do you cover?

All of Scottish Borders. 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 Scottish Borders?

£1,950–£3,100 for a typical 18 m² garage roof in a liquid-applied system, at Scotland guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.

Which council handles building standards for a flat roof in Scottish Borders?

It depends on where the roof is: in Scottish Borders that's Scottish Borders Council. In Scotland a building warrant is usually needed for alterations, structural work and new roofs; like-for-like repairs to a covering can be exempt. We confirm which applies at the survey.

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.

Is liquid roofing the same as a roof paint?

No. A proper liquid-applied membrane is built to a specified thickness and usually reinforced with fleece, while roof paints and simple coatings are much thinner and mainly used to extend the life of an existing covering.

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.

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