- Price per m²
- £108–£174
- Typical life
- 25–35+ years
- Manufacturer guarantees
- 20–25 year guarantees on specified systems
- Typical garage roof
- £2,450–£4,000
London at a glance
- Largest towns
- Westminster, Camden, Islington, Haringey
- Postcode areas
- BR, CR, DA, E, EC, EN, HA, IG, KT, N
- Building control
- City of Westminster, London Borough of Camden, London Borough of Islington and 29 other councils
- Neighbouring areas
- Surrey · Hertfordshire · Buckinghamshire · Berkshire
- Guide price region
- London (+20% on West Midlands rates)
How much does a single-ply roof cost in London?
Guide prices including VAT at London rates. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
| Job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Commercial roof (100 m²), single-ply + insulation | £15,900–£26,150 |
| Single garage (18 m²), single-ply | £2,450–£4,000 |
| Single garage (18 m²), EPDM rubber | £1,900–£3,350 |
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM, new deck + insulation | £3,350–£5,850 |
Which flat roofs are common in London?
Flat roofs in London sit on mansion blocks and purpose-built flats with large flat roofs, shops with flat-roofed stores below flats above and kitchen extensions and roof terraces behind period houses. The Thames basin is one of the drier parts of Britain at roughly 730 mm of rain a year, but summer heat is the bigger test here: dark membranes on south-facing roofs swing a long way in temperature. 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 London the application goes to City of Westminster, London Borough of Camden, London Borough of Islington and 29 other councils. More on the rules.
Should a single-ply roof be mechanically fixed or adhered, and how are the seams welded?
Most commercial single-ply roofs are mechanically fixed, while adhered systems suit decks that cannot take fixings or roofs where a smooth finish is wanted. The choice depends on the deck, the wind exposure of the site and the manufacturer's specification.
| Method | How it works | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanically fixed | Fasteners and plates hold the membrane through the insulation into the deck, hidden under the lap of the next sheet | Metal, timber and concrete decks on commercial roofs |
| Adhered | Membrane bonded to the insulation or deck with adhesive | Domestic roofs, roofs where fixings are unsuitable |
| Ballasted | Loose-laid and held down by paving, gravel or a green roof | Inverted roofs, terraces, green roofs |
Fixing patterns are worked out for the site, with more fasteners at corners and perimeters, where wind uplift is strongest.
Seams are welded by hot-air machines and hand tools that melt the overlapping edges so they fuse. Each seam is then probed along its length to find any gaps, and test welds are made at the start of the day to set the machine for the weather. On commercial jobs we also check that walkways protect the membrane around plant.
How long does a single-ply roof last, and what guarantee comes with it?
A well-installed single-ply roof typically lasts 25 to 35 years or more. Its life depends mostly on the quality of the welds, the fixing pattern, protection from foot traffic and keeping outlets clear.
Signs of trouble on an older single-ply roof include seams lifting at the edges, shrinkage pulling at upstands and corners, punctures near plant, and loose fixings under the membrane on windy sites.
Manufacturer guarantees are available on many specified single-ply systems, and they often depend on a registered build-up, an inspection and sometimes an approved installer. Where the system allows, we complete that registration on your behalf. On every re-roof you also receive our written workmanship guarantee, with the length set out in the quote, and you can ask about insurance-backed options. See the guarantees guide and maintenance guide for more.
Which towns in London do we cover?
- Westminster
- Camden
- Islington
- Haringey
- Hounslow
- Barnet
- Bexley
- Lambeth
- Croydon
- Havering
- Lewisham
- Redbridge
- Southwark
- Bromley
- Ealing
- Hammersmith and Fulham
- Harrow
- Kensington and Chelsea
- Barking and Dagenham
- Brent
- Greenwich
- Hillingdon
- Kingston upon Thames
- Richmond upon Thames
- Sutton
- Waltham Forest
- Enfield
- Hackney
- Newham
- Tower Hamlets
- Merton
- Wandsworth
Single-ply membrane roofing in London: questions
Which towns in London do you cover?
All of London. 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 single-ply roof cost in London?
£15,900–£26,150 for a 100 m² commercial roof in single-ply with insulation, at London 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 London?
It depends on where the roof is: in London that's City of Westminster, London Borough of Camden, London Borough of Islington and 29 other councils. 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.
Is single-ply roofing noisy in the rain?
No more than other flat roofs. Noise depends far more on the deck and insulation than on the membrane, and an insulated warm roof dampens rain noise well.
Does single-ply work with solar panels or a green roof?
Usually, yes. Many systems can be specified for sedum or ballasted green roofs, and solar mounts can be welded or ballasted, though the structure and wind loads must be checked first.
What is the difference between PVC and TPO roofing?
Both are thermoplastic single-ply membranes welded with hot air. PVC contains plasticisers and usually needs separating from bitumen, while TPO and FPO are polyolefin-based; the right one depends on the roof and the system specified.
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