- Price per m²
- £57–£100
- Typical life
- 15–25 years
- Manufacturer guarantees
- 10–20 year material guarantees on specified systems
- Typical garage roof
- £1,450–£2,500
Greater Manchester at a glance
- Largest towns
- Manchester, Oldham, Wigan, Bolton
- Postcode areas
- BL, M, OL, SK, WA, WN
- Building control
- Manchester City Council, Oldham Council, Wigan Council and 7 other councils
- Neighbouring areas
- Cheshire · Lancashire · Merseyside · West Yorkshire
- Guide price region
- North West (−5% on West Midlands rates)
How much does a torch-on felt roof cost in Greater Manchester?
Guide prices including VAT at North West rates. 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 |
Which flat roofs are common in Greater Manchester?
Flat roofs in Greater Manchester sit on bungalows with flat-roofed side extensions and dormers, low-rise post-war blocks of flats and lock-up garage blocks on estates. The North West is one of England's wetter regions, averaging roughly 1,290 mm of rain a year, so falls, outlets and well-detailed upstands matter more than the membrane colour. 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 Greater Manchester the application goes to Manchester City Council, Oldham Council, Wigan Council and 7 other councils. More on the rules.
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.
Is torch-on roofing safe, and what is the difference between two- and three-layer systems?
Yes, torch-on is safe when hot works are properly controlled, because most roof fires linked to torching start at hidden timber or debris near edges and upstands, not on the open roof. Our teams follow a hot-works routine on every job:
- check eaves, fascias, soffits and wall cavities for timber, nests and debris before lighting a torch;
- use a cold-applied or self-adhesive membrane, rather than a flame, at edges, against combustible materials and in tight details;
- keep fire extinguishers on the roof and the gas bottles secured and away from the work;
- stop torching well before the team leaves, then carry out a fire watch so smouldering is spotted while people are still on site.
As for layers, a two-layer system (underlay plus cap sheet) is common on domestic roofs such as garages and extensions. A three-layer system adds an intermediate sheet, giving more thickness and redundancy, and is often specified on larger, commercial and multi-occupied roofs. The right choice depends on the size and use of the roof and the system's requirements, so we set it out in the quote.
Near a boundary, the external fire performance of the tested build-up, such as a BROOF(t4) classification, can also matter, and we check it where it applies.
Which towns in Greater Manchester do we cover?
- Manchester
- Oldham
- Wigan
- Bolton
- Stockport
- Salford
- Rochdale
- Sale
- Bury
- Altrincham
- Middleton
- Ashton-under-Lyne
- Leigh
- Stretford
- Urmston
- Eccles
- Tyldesley
- Hyde
- Walkden
- Prestwich
- Radcliffe
- Cheadle Hulme
- Heywood
- Denton
- Stalybridge
- Ashton in Makerfield
- Westhoughton
- Farnworth
- Saddleworth
- Hindley
- Golborne
- Droylsden
- Royton
- Failsworth
- Hazel Grove
- Irlam
- Horwich
- Bramhall
- Ramsbottom
- Bredbury
- Longsight
Torch-on felt roofing in Greater Manchester: questions
Which towns in Greater Manchester do you cover?
All of Greater Manchester. 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 torch-on felt roof cost in Greater Manchester?
£1,450–£2,500 for a typical 18 m² garage roof in torch-on felt, at North West guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
Which postcode areas do you cover in Greater Manchester?
All of Greater Manchester, including the BL, M, OL, SK, WA, WN postcode areas. Send your full postcode and we'll confirm.
Can I paint or coat an old felt roof?
Reflective or liquid coatings can extend the life of a sound felt roof, but they will not fix wet insulation, a rotten deck or poor falls. A survey shows whether coating or replacement makes more sense.
Why does my felt roof have blisters?
Blisters usually form when moisture or air trapped beneath the felt expands in the sun. A few small, intact blisters may be monitored, but widespread or split blisters point to a repair or replacement.
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.
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