Shirley at a glance
- Postcode districts
- B90
- Population
- about 32,000 (GeoNames)
- Council area
- Solihull Council
- Building approval
- Solihull Council building control, or a registered building control approver
- Nearest main town
- Solihull, about 2 miles
- Guide price region
- West Midlands (baseline rates)
Why choose torch-on felt roofing in Shirley?
Torch-on is a good fit in Shirley when the budget matters but quality cannot slip. Modern polyester-reinforced membranes typically last 15 to 25 years, high-performance systems longer, and manufacturer material guarantees are available on many specified systems, registered where the system allows.
Around Shirley, flat roofs are common on newer estates where the first extension roofs are now being replaced and on 1960s and 1970s link-detached houses with flat-roofed garages and porches. England averages roughly 870 mm of rain a year and the West Midlands sits close to that, so falls and outlets are the difference between a roof that drains and one that ponds.
How much does a torch-on felt roof cost in Shirley?
At West Midlands guide rates, a typical 18 m² garage roof in torch-on felt comes to £1,500–£2,600 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 | £1,500–£2,600 |
| Extension (20 m²), felt, new deck + insulation | £2,700–£4,700 |
| Block of flats (150 m²), felt + insulation + scaffold | £15,550–£27,200 |
| Single garage (18 m²), EPDM rubber | £1,600–£2,800 |
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM, new deck + insulation | £2,800–£4,900 |
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?
- Hot-works checks and fire watch on every torch-on job
- Vapour control layer and warm-roof insulation where needed
- Strip-off of the existing roof covering and removal of waste
- Deck inspection with replacement of damaged boards
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?
- Solihull · 2 mi
- Acocks Green · 3 mi
- Birmingham · 6 mi
- Washwood Heath · 6 mi
- Bartley Green · 8 mi
- Smethwick · 8 mi
Torch-on felt roofing in Shirley: questions
Do you cover Shirley?
Yes. Shirley is part of our West Midlands coverage, including postcode districts B90. 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 Shirley?
Where the work needs approval it goes to Solihull Council 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 Shirley?
£1,500–£2,600 for a typical 18 m² garage roof in torch-on felt, at West Midlands guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
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 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.