Edinburgh at a glance
- Postcode districts
- EH1, EH2, EH3, EH4, EH5, EH6, EH7, EH8 and 9 more
- Population
- about 514,990 (GeoNames)
- Council area
- City of Edinburgh Council
- Building approval
- City of Edinburgh Council building standards
- Guide price region
- Scotland (−5% on West Midlands rates)
Why choose torch-on felt roofing in Edinburgh?
Where a flat roof in Edinburgh already has a felt covering and the building owner wants like-for-like, torch-on is the natural replacement. The old roof is stripped, the deck checked and the new layers laid, often with warm-roof insulation added when the space below is heated.
In and around Edinburgh, flat roofs are typically found on 1930s semis with flat-roofed garages and kitchen extensions, and on low-rise post-war blocks of flats. 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.
How much does a torch-on felt roof cost in Edinburgh?
At Scotland guide rates, a typical 18 m² garage roof in torch-on felt comes to £1,450–£2,500 including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
| Job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Single garage (18 m²), torch-on felt | £1,450–£2,500 |
| Extension (20 m²), felt, new deck + insulation | £2,550–£4,450 |
| Block of flats (150 m²), felt + insulation + scaffold | £14,750–£25,850 |
| Single garage (18 m²), EPDM rubber | £1,500–£2,650 |
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM, new deck + insulation | £2,650–£4,650 |
How long does a torch-on felt roof last, and what is the guarantee?
A modern torch-on roof typically lasts 15 to 25 years, and high-performance systems with better membranes can last longer. That is a big step up from older felt roofs, which were often single-layer, unreinforced or poorly bonded.
What shortens the life of a felt roof is usually visible: mineral chippings worn away so the bitumen is exposed to sunlight, blisters where moisture was trapped, split laps, and upstands that have slumped or pulled away from the wall. Ponding speeds all of this up.
Manufacturer material guarantees are available on many specified torch-on systems; they often depend on a particular build-up and registration, which we handle where the system allows. Every re-roof also comes with our written workmanship guarantee, the length of which is stated in the quote, and insurance-backed options can be discussed. Our flat roof lifespan guide compares felt with the other systems.
What's included?
- Hot-works checks and fire watch on every torch-on job
- Deck inspection with replacement of damaged boards
- Vapour control layer and warm-roof insulation where needed
- Two- or three-layer reinforced bitumen membrane with staggered laps
Building standards in Scotland
In Scotland the building standards technical handbooks (Section 6 for energy) apply, and the council's building standards service decides whether a building warrant is needed. Like-for-like repairs to a roof covering can be exempt; alterations, structural work and new roofs usually need a warrant before work starts. The domestic roof benchmark is 0.12 W/m²K, applied as far as reasonably practicable on an existing roof. More on the rules.
Which nearby areas do we also cover?
Torch-on felt roofing in Edinburgh: questions
Do you cover Edinburgh?
Yes. Edinburgh is part of our City of Edinburgh coverage, including postcode districts EH1, EH2, EH3, EH4, EH5, EH6 and 11 more. Surveys and roofs are carried out by vetted roofing teams working under S&K Property Investments and Improvement Ltd.
Who checks building standards for a flat roof in Edinburgh?
Where the work needs approval it goes to City of Edinburgh Council building standards. We tell you at the survey whether your job needs it and deal with the paperwork as part of the quote.
How much does a torch-on felt roof cost in Edinburgh?
£1,450–£2,500 for a typical 18 m² garage roof in torch-on felt, at Scotland guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
Is torch-on suitable for a block of flats?
Yes, layered bitumen systems are widely used on blocks of flats and commercial buildings. Larger roofs often use three layers and insulation, with hot works planned around residents.
Can torch-on felt be laid in wet weather?
Not in rain or on a wet deck, because moisture trapped under the membrane causes blisters. Light cold weather is usually workable, but we will postpone rather than lay on a damp surface.