Roofing Materials

What we supply

• Concrete interlocking tilesEconomical tiles in many profiles and colours; low pitches possible with some profiles.
• Clay tilesPlain and pantile clay tiles for traditional roofs and matching.
• Natural and fibre-cement slatesSlate for new roofs and repairs, with hooks or nails.
• Roofing battensTreated battens graded for roofing.
• Breathable membranesUnderlays that keep wind-driven rain out but let vapour escape.
• Ridge, hip and verge systemsDry-fix and mortar-bedded options, with vents and fixings.
• Flat roof materialsFelt, EPDM and GRP systems for porches, garages and dormers.

Sizes and specifications

Code of practice	BS 5534 (slating and tiling)
Concrete tiles	BS EN 490
Clay tiles	BS EN 1304
Slates	BS EN 12326

Sizes and standards are typical for the UK market; exact figures depend on the manufacturer and are confirmed on your quote.

Common uses

• Extension roofs
• Re-roofing
• Loft conversions and dormers
• Garage and porch roofs

Choosing roofing materials

Check the minimum pitch

Every tile and slate has a minimum rafter pitch set by the manufacturer. A shallow extension roof may rule some tiles out.

Matching an existing roof

The profile, size and colour all matter. A photo of the tile and a measurement of its exposed face help us find the closest current product.

Fixing requirements

BS 5534 sets out how tiles must be fixed against wind uplift, which in most cases means every tile is mechanically fixed. Ask for the fixing specification with your tiles.

Building regulations differ across the UK. In England, building work is checked against the Approved Documents, for example Part A for structure and Part L for energy efficiency, through your council's building control team or a registered building control approver. Wales has its own Approved Documents, including its own Part L for energy efficiency, and building control is handled by the local authority or a registered approver. In Scotland most building work needs a building warrant from the local authority, assessed against the Building Standards Technical Handbooks. In Northern Ireland building work follows the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland), with guidance in the Technical Booklets, and applications go to the council's building control team.

How it arrives on site

Tiles and slates arrive palletised and are usually crane-offloaded where access allows; battens and membrane rolls travel with them. We agree the drop point and offload method when we price your order. Read more about how delivery works.

How much do you need?

A 42 m² roof slope needs roughly 420 large-format interlocking tiles, or about 2,520 small plain tiles, before ridge, hip and verge pieces. The exact count comes from the tile's gauge, so send us the roof measurements and pitch and we will work it out with the battens and membrane.

Roofing Materials: questions

How many roof tiles do I need?

It depends on the tile and its gauge (the spacing of the battens). Manufacturers quote tiles per square metre for each product; send us the roof area and the tile and we will work it out with ridge, hip and verge pieces.

Do I need a breathable membrane?

Most new pitched roofs use a breathable (vapour-permeable) underlay, which helps control condensation in the roof space. Some designs use a non-breathable underlay with ventilation instead.

What is dry-fix ridge?

A mechanical system that fixes ridge and hip tiles without mortar, which avoids mortar cracking and is now common on new roofs.

Can you match old clay tiles?

We can look for close current matches. Reclaimed tiles are another route for very old roofs; ask and we will tell you what we can source.

What battens should I use?

Roofing battens graded for roofing work, of the size the tile maker and BS 5534 call for, normally treated.

Do you supply flat roof materials?

Yes, felt, EPDM rubber and GRP fibreglass systems for smaller roofs. Tell us the roof size and what is underneath.