- Price per m²
- £59–£103
- Typical life
- 15–25 years
- Manufacturer guarantees
- 10–20 year material guarantees on specified systems
- Typical garage roof
- £1,500–£2,550
Leicestershire at a glance
- Largest towns
- Leicester, Loughborough, Hinckley, Coalville
- Postcode areas
- LE
- Building control
- Leicester City Council, Charnwood Borough Council, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and 5 other councils
- Neighbouring areas
- Warwickshire · Northamptonshire · Nottinghamshire · West Midlands
- Guide price region
- East Midlands (−2% on West Midlands rates)
How much does a torch-on felt roof cost in Leicestershire?
Guide prices including VAT at East Midlands 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 | £1,500–£2,550 |
| Extension (20 m²), felt, new deck + insulation | £2,650–£4,600 |
| Block of flats (150 m²), felt + insulation + scaffold | £15,250–£26,650 |
| Single garage (18 m²), EPDM rubber | £1,550–£2,750 |
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM, new deck + insulation | £2,750–£4,800 |
Which flat roofs are common in Leicestershire?
Flat roofs in Leicestershire sit on terraced streets with flat-roofed rear kitchens and bathrooms, low-rise post-war blocks of flats and lock-up garage blocks on estates. The East Midlands is drier than the west of Britain, so most flat roofs here fail through age, UV and poor detailing at upstands rather than sheer rainfall. 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 Leicestershire the application goes to Leicester City Council, Charnwood Borough Council, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and 5 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.
Should I choose torch-on felt or a different flat roof system?
Choose torch-on felt when you want a proven, layered system at a sensible price, particularly on larger roofs, blocks of flats and commercial buildings where several layers give useful redundancy. It is a weaker choice where hot works are hard to manage safely.
For: generally lower cost per square metre; two or three layers, so a single defect in one layer need not cause a leak; tough mineral finish; long track record and a British Standard code of practice; repairs can be made with compatible materials.
Against: needs a naked flame unless a cold-applied or self-adhesive alternative is used; shorter typical life than EPDM or GRP; the finish is functional rather than decorative; more laps to detail than a single sheet.
On small domestic roofs near timber, EPDM avoids the torch entirely. GRP gives a harder, neater surface. For an overlay, a liquid-applied system is often simpler. Large commercial roofs may suit single-ply, and older buildings may suit mastic asphalt. See our comparison guide.
Which towns in Leicestershire do we cover?
- Leicester
- Loughborough
- Hinckley
- Coalville
- Wigston
- Melton Mowbray
- Market Harborough
- Oadby
- Earl Shilton
- Humberstone
- Mountsorrel
- Glen Parva
Torch-on felt roofing in Leicestershire: questions
Which towns in Leicestershire do you cover?
All of Leicestershire. 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 Leicestershire?
£1,500–£2,550 for a typical 18 m² garage roof in torch-on felt, at East Midlands 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 Leicestershire?
It depends on where the roof is: in Leicestershire that's Leicester City Council, Charnwood Borough Council, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and 5 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.
Can torch-on felt go over an existing felt roof?
Sometimes, if the old roof is dry, well bonded and the deck is sound. Often stripping is better, because overlaying can trap moisture and hide rot; our guide to overlay or strip explains how we decide.
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.
How long does it take to lay a torch-on felt roof?
A garage roof typically takes one to two days and an insulated extension two to three. Larger roofs and blocks are phased over longer, with each area made weathertight before the team leaves.
Everything about torch-on felt roofing → · All flat roofing in Leicestershire →