Ealing at a glance
- Postcode districts
- W5, W13, W7, W3, TW8, UB6, UB5
- Council area
- London Borough of Ealing
- Building approval
- London Borough of Ealing building control, or a registered building control approver
- Guide price region
- London (+20% on West Midlands rates)
Why choose torch-on felt roofing in Ealing?
Torch-on felt is widely specified for blocks of flats and HMOs, in Ealing as elsewhere, because the system is well understood, widely repairable and governed by a British Standard code of practice. Three-layer builds with insulation are common on larger, multi-occupied roofs.
Ealing's flat roofs are mostly on mansion blocks and purpose-built flats with large flat roofs, with plenty on kitchen extensions and roof terraces behind period houses too. 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.
How much does a torch-on felt roof cost in Ealing?
For Ealing we use London rates: £1,800–£3,150 is the guide for a typical 18 m² garage roof in torch-on felt, VAT included. 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 | £1,800–£3,150 |
| Extension (20 m²), felt, new deck + insulation | £3,250–£5,600 |
| Block of flats (150 m²), felt + insulation + scaffold | £18,650–£32,650 |
| Single garage (18 m²), EPDM rubber | £1,900–£3,350 |
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM, new deck + insulation | £3,350–£5,850 |
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.
What's included?
- Deck inspection with replacement of damaged boards
- Hot-works checks and fire watch on every torch-on job
- Mineral-finished cap sheet, upstands, outlets and edge trims
- Two- or three-layer reinforced bitumen membrane with staggered laps
Building regulations in England
Replacing more than half of a flat roof over a heated room usually counts as renovating a thermal element, so the roof is insulated to around 0.16 W/m²K where that's technically and economically feasible, and the work is notified to building control: the council or a registered building control approver, unless a registered competent person self-certifies it. A roof on a new extension is built to 0.15 W/m²K. Patch repairs, and most unheated detached garages, don't trigger the upgrade. Structural changes, or a new covering that adds 15% or more to the roof's weight, also need approval. More on the rules.
Which nearby areas do we also cover?
- Brent · 3 mi
- Hounslow · 4 mi
- Hammersmith and Fulham · 4 mi
- Richmond upon Thames · 5 mi
- Kensington and Chelsea · 5 mi
- Harrow · 5 mi
Torch-on felt roofing in Ealing: questions
Do you cover Ealing?
Yes. Ealing is part of our London coverage, including postcode districts W5, W13, W7, W3, TW8, UB6 and 1 more. Surveys and roofs are carried out by vetted roofing teams working under S&K Property Investments and Improvement Ltd.
Who checks building regulations for a flat roof in Ealing?
Where the work needs approval it goes to London Borough of Ealing building control, or a registered building control approver. 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 Ealing?
£1,800–£3,150 for a typical 18 m² garage roof in torch-on felt, at London guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
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.
Is torch-on felt better than the old felt roofs?
Yes, considerably. Modern torch-on membranes are polymer-modified and polyester-reinforced, laid in bonded layers, and typically last much longer than the older felt systems they replace.