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THURSTONROOFING SERVICES LTD
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Thurston Roofing · Nottingham

Flat Roofs

EPDM rubber and GRP fibreglass flat roofing for extensions, garages, dormers, and commercial buildings. Properly installed flat roofs that last 20+ years, backed by a 10-year guarantee.

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A man using a torch on a flat roof

On flat roofs

Flat roofs have a bad reputation, and it's usually undeserved. The reason flat roofs leak is almost always that they were built cheaply or installed badly - not because flat roofing is inherently a worse approach. A properly installed modern flat roof, using the right system for the job, will last 20 years or more without fuss.

EPDM rubber roofing

EPDM is a single-piece rubber membrane that gets glued down across the whole roof. It's the system we recommend for most residential flat roofs - extensions, garages, dormer flat tops, and porches. The big advantage is that there are no seams to fail: the whole roof is one continuous piece of rubber. EPDM has a typical lifespan of 30+ years, handles UK weather extremes well, and stays flexible in cold weather. It's also the most cost-effective modern flat roofing system for residential work.

GRP fibreglass roofing

GRP is fibreglass-reinforced plastic - the same material used for boat hulls. It's applied wet, in layers, and cures into a hard, completely seamless surface. GRP is the right choice when you need a walkable, durable flat roof - balconies, terraces, and commercial roofs that might see foot traffic. It comes in a range of colours and has a typical lifespan of 25–30 years.

Which system is right for your job

We'll talk through both options when we quote. The right choice depends on the use of the roof, the budget, and the existing structure. Generally: EPDM for non-walkable residential, GRP for walkable surfaces and commercial work. There's no upselling - we'll recommend the system that suits the job, not the one with the bigger margin.

Extensions, garages, and dormers

The most common flat roofing work we do is on residential extensions and detached garages. A new flat roof on an extension typically takes 1–2 days to install. Dormer flat roofs are usually fitted as part of a wider loft conversion, and we co-ordinate the work so the dormer is weathertight as quickly as possible during the build.

Commercial flat roofing

We handle commercial flat roofing as well - small commercial units, outbuildings, and light industrial. We work to commercial timelines, can co-ordinate with other trades on site, and we provide the proper documentation insurers and surveyors expect.

Re-covering existing flat roofs

If you've got an existing flat roof that's failing - felt, asphalt, or older membrane systems - we can usually overlay it with EPDM or strip it back and re-cover properly. Which approach is right depends on the condition of the deck underneath. We'll have a proper look and tell you honestly.

Get a free quote

If you need a new flat roof or an existing one replaced, give us a call or request a callback.

Questions we're asked

Straight answers to what people ask about flat roofs. If yours isn't here, ring and ask.

EPDM, GRP or felt: which flat roof should I choose?

EPDM rubber is our usual recommendation for extensions and garages: one seamless sheet, no joins to fail, and a realistic lifespan of 20 years or more. GRP fibreglass gives a hard, walkable finish and suits balconies and roofs with lots of detail. Felt is the budget option and fine for sheds and outbuildings. We will recommend one for your roof and explain why.

How long does a flat roof last?

A properly installed EPDM or GRP roof should last 20 years or more, and often much longer. The old felt roofs that fail after 10 to 15 years usually do so because of poor detailing at the edges and outlets, which is exactly where we spend the most care.

Can you add roof lights or insulation when you renew a flat roof?

Yes. Renewing the covering is the right time to do both. We can fit flat roof lights or lanterns, and bring the roof up to current insulation standards as a warm roof, which building regulations require on most full replacements. We will include it in the quote.

Why is my flat roof ponding with water?

Flat roofs should still have a slight fall to the outlets. Ponding usually means the deck has sagged, the outlets are blocked, or the roof was laid without enough fall in the first place. Standing water shortens the life of any covering, so we correct the fall when we re-deck rather than just laying new material over the dip.

Is the quote really fixed?

Yes. You get a written, itemised quote covering access, materials, labour and waste, and it is free. The price only changes if the agreed specification changes, for example if we open up the roof and find rotten timbers that were not visible from the survey. If that happens we stop, show you photos, and agree the extra before carrying on.

What does the 10-year guarantee cover?

The workmanship: the way the roof was stripped, fixed, flashed and finished. If something we did fails within ten years, we come back and put it right. Manufacturer warranties on the materials sit on top of that. You get the guarantee in writing when the job is signed off.

How the work runs

1

Roof survey

A proper look from the ladder or scaffold, with photos of what we find.

2

Fixed written quote

Itemised clearly, free, and unchanged unless the agreed specification changes.

3

Tidy work on site

Access, materials, waste, and daily weatherproofing managed by us.

4

Inspection & guarantee

Independent inspection where required, then your guarantee in writing.

Recent flat roofs projects

All projects →
Lead soaker repair at the base of a brick chimney stack, with new lead flashing fitted between slate tiles

Project 01

Roof Repairs & Small Jobs

A selection of roof repairs and smaller jobs carried out during the week, including lead soaker repairs, flat roof work, and valley repairs.

View project
New black EPDM rubber roof, wet and dry sections shown, with new fascia and lead vent pipe visible

Project 02

EPDM Flat Roof & Fascia Renewal

New EPDM rubber roofing system installed to a rear flat roof, with new OSB decking and white overboard fascias fitted throughout.

View project
Flat roof above a bay window before and after renewal, showing new grey GRP fibreglass covering

Project 03

Bay Window Flat Roof Renewal

Flat roof above a bay window renewed: old failing felt stripped back and replaced with a new GRP fibreglass covering.

View project

Where we do flat roofs

Based in Nottingham and working across the NG postcode area. Pick your area for local detail, or just ring - if it's within reach we'll come and look.

Thinking about flat roofs?

One of the brothers will walk the roof with you and tell you honestly what it needs - and what it doesn’t.

Call 07565 108872or request a callback →