If you’ve never put much thought into it, you’d be forgiven for thinking that a roof in Aberdeen is pretty much the same as a roof in London or Cardiff.
However there are significant differences between the sorts of roofs which are most common across the UK and this can be very important when it comes to putting a new roof on your home and choosing the best roofer to do the job.
Slate Roofs
The main area in the UK where slate is produced is in Wales, and it is the material which is most commonly used in roofing throughout Wales, Scotland and Devon and Cornwall.
Slate is a growing in popularity as a roofing material in other areas of the UK too.
It is natural, has an attractive non-uniform appearance, lasts for decades and doesn’t require much in the way of maintenance.
Working with slate can be tricky though as the slates have a tendency to crack or split when being hammered into place, so if you are thinking of a new slate roof in areas of the UK which have traditionally used other building materials.
Make sure that the contractor you are thinking of working with has experience in slate and can show you pictures of successful projects.
Tiled Roofs
In other parts of the country such as the South East and the Midlands, clay tiles have been used for centuries to roof houses.
The colour of the tiles varies from a pale orange through to a deep red depending on where in the country you are.
This sort of roofing has been around since Roman times and clay tiles are durable and fireproof too.
The main thing to be aware of when using clay tiles for your roof is that they can be heavy compared with other building materials, so it’s even more important to have an experienced roofer who can make sure that the framed structure of your roof is strong enough to support the weight of your new tiles.
Thatched Roofs
Thatch was popular across the south of England, and there are still many “chocolate box” cottages with thatched roofs.
Thatch is falling out of favour though as it is not as durable as other building materials, can be a fire risk and needs more maintenance and to be replaced more regularly.
Thatching is a dying art, and a good thatcher is often booked up for months in advance.
In addition, many thatched buildings are also listed, which means you are very restricted in what sort of thatch you have and even what design it is laid in.
Fitting In or Standing Out?
If you are replacing a roof or building a new property and want to use the most popular type of roof in your area, then there will be a large number of local roofing firms to choose from.
If you are wanting something more distinctive, or a modern concept such as a green or “living” roof, it’s more important than even to do your homework and ensure your roofer really knows what they’re doing.
