Building your own home? Don’t ignore the roof

Like many people, this is probably the first time you’re considering building your own home, here are some roofing options to consider:

1. Tilt - pitched roofs have traditionally been used in the UK, simply because it rains.  The pitch allows rainwater to flow off the roof very quickly. The result of these considerations is that the normal pitch of the roof on a domestic property is between 30°and 45°.  This is the also the best angle at which to place solar PV panels and it’s important to know the pitch of the roof, because not all roof tiles can be used on all angles of pitch. 

2. Tiling options - There are a wide range of roof tiles on the market at very different prices.  Hand-made clay and natural slate will be the most expensive, with near-perfect imitations in concrete offering much better value for money. Remember that where there is a very low pitch to the roof and you may need to use a specific type of tile.

3. Fixings - Old fashioned mortar was the solution for generations, mixed and used to “stick” the ridge tiles and edge tiles to the roof structure. Although a relatively cheap method of fixing, mortar is not all that reliable.  It has a tendency to crack and break down, allowing rainwater into the roof and has been recognised as a significant problem by the National Housebuilding Council (NHBC) – the body that oversees the quality of new house building in this country.  

The alternative is to use what is known as dry-fix.  This means that the tiles are fixed to the roof using very secure screws.   This is not only more reliable than using a mortar system, but is also quicker to install and requires less specialist skill from the contractor. 
  

4. Thatch -   Most often seen atop English country cottages, this natural roofing is also used on period homes too. It is light weight with some thermal and acoustic insulation, it’s worth remembering that a thatched roof must be steeply pitched to ensure good water runoff and should have a good overhang to protect the walls from water too. However, the roof ridge on a thatched roof  will have to be replaced roughly every 8 - 10 years.
 

5. Solar PV - If you want to generate your own electricity but are looking for a more discrete solution than solar panels, then PV tiles could be the ideal solution. If you are installing a new roof on your property then it makes sense to consider integrated PV tiles, which will sit flush with the roof and are not as visually obtrusive than traditional solar panels. Make sure the product and contractor are MCS-certified in order to qualify for payment under the government’s Feed In Tariff scheme.
 

Building your own home is a big enough task and it is important that you use properly skilled craft and good roofers will have spent years acquiring the know-how to do a great job for you.  The difficult bit is finding those great contractors, but with MyRedlandRoof, you can find a competent roofer in your area. Roofers who are members of or the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) Competent Roofer Scheme will provide warranties on their workmanship, but you also need to know that the roof system they have installed is going to perform well. Redland is the only manufacturer that provides a guarantee for the whole system.