Torch-on felt roofing across West Yorkshire

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

How much does a torch-on felt roof cost in West Yorkshire?

Guide prices including VAT at Yorkshire and the Humber rates. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.

Which flat roofs are common in West Yorkshire?

Flat roofs in West Yorkshire sit on 1960s and 1970s link-detached houses with flat-roofed garages and porches, shops with flat-roofed rear stores below flats and newer estates where the first extension roofs are now being replaced. England averages roughly 870 mm of rain a year; the Pennine side of Yorkshire is wetter and windier than the east, so we specify for the site rather than the county. 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 West Yorkshire the application goes to Leeds City Council, City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, Kirklees Council and 2 other councils. More on the rules.

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.

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 West Yorkshire do we cover?

• Leeds
• Bradford
• Huddersfield
• Wakefield
• Halifax
• Dewsbury
• Morley
• Keighley
• Castleford
• Pontefract
• Yeadon
• Brighouse
• Shipley
• Cleckheaton
• Pudsey
• Lofthouse
• Ossett
• Liversedge
• Horsforth
• South Elmsall
• Mirfield
• Chapel Allerton
• Bingley
• Kippax
• Elland

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