Garage Roof Replacement – A Stashbee Guide

Thousands of people in the UK are choosing to rent out their garage for cash. A great idea, right? There’s just one caveat. Something that’s obvious. You need a good roof – you can’t have a leaky garage out for rent!

A comprehensive guide to replacing a garage roof

Everything you need to know about garage roof replacement. From why to replace your roof to choose the best material for you – read our article.

How often do you climb to the height of your garage roof? If you’re anything like us, it’s probably once in a blue moon. Annually. 

Maybe during the autumn months when you’re pulling handfuls of leaves from the gutters. Perhaps in the dead of winter whilst you’re inspecting frost damage to the brickwork. Even the summer when you’re fetching the odd football that has miraculously teleported atop the garage roof!

Most of us don’t ever think about scaling the height of the sloped or flat roofs of our garages until there’s a reason to be up there. But we should. Like any other aspect of our homes, regular inspection is the best way to protect your garage.

Sure, it’s a pain to haul the ladders from the garden shed or inside the garage, scaling each of the steps one after another to reach the summit and inspect the roof, yet a simple inspection could save you thousands in the long run or help you earn some extra cash.

So, whether you’re considering renting out your garage space or are a vigilant homeowner and don’t want to incur the expense of paying for a replacement garage roof, here’s exactly what you need to know.

Replace Garage Roof – Why It’s Something You Can’t Put Off

Water damage can cause significant damage to your garage’s structure. Roofing timbers and wooden fascia boards can rot. Mould and damp can spread and if left unchecked, it can wreak havoc on your home – and your wallet!

Most of a building’s heat is lost through the roof. Peak efficiency is the only way to safeguard your roof in the long term.

Thermal heat loss is important. So is energy efficiency. In England, when building an extension, homeowners must reach a U-value of 0.28 W/m2k. In Wales, the U-value is 0.21 W/m2k. In Scotland, it’s 0.19 W/m2k. Interested in learning more about U-values, read on here.

No conversation about garage roof replacement is complete without mentioning the dreaded asbestos garage roof. As older roofing panels deteriorate, the asbestos in the crumbling cement escapes. Breathe in asbestos fibres and you can easily damage your lungs. Check out our guide on Removing Garage Roof Asbestos.

Also, don’t forget, a new garage roof gives your home added curb appeal. It adds value to the property. Provides you with a square footage gain that you can use for storage, even a gym or that long-sought-after man cave!

Lastly, there’s your home security. Thieves look for areas of vulnerability to strike. Cheap roofing, corrugated panelling or missing tiles can be exploited. Thieves don’t need to break a window, or pick a lock to gain access to your home or property. Replace the garage roof and you’ll bolster your home’s security.The cost of replacing your roof will depend on the type of garage roof - single garage or double garage you go for. Also the type of roof whether you have a flat garage roof or pitched roof.

Signs that You Need to Replace Your Garage Roof Immediately

Learn to spot when a full roofing replacement is needed and you’ll potentially save yourself a great deal of stress, heartache and potentially thousands down the road replacing a garage.

Know how to spot the signs of water damage. Beware of any holes in the roofing which let in water and damage your home’s interior. Keep your eyes peeled for any discolouration on the ceiling or walls.

Monitor the effects the weather is having on your garage. If the blustery wind, lashing rain, scorching heat or arctic cold is compromised, then the structural integrity of the garage ceiling may well be too.

If so, contact https://www.nfrc.co.uk/roofing companies and ask for their advice. Your ceiling may need weatherproofing. Or it might be about to collapse!

Apply gentle pressure to vulnerable areas of the garage ceiling. Don’t jump up and down on a particularly vulnerable area. Press down on the surface area, applying slightly more pressure as you go along. If you spot any noticeable movement or structural weakness, you may need to install a replacement garage roof.

Keep an eye on the structure. If you have small children running about, playing hide and seek or tag, be sure to warn them that the roof is not 100% safe. The last thing you want is an accident!

How to Choose the Right Garage Roofing Materials

You might be surprised to learn that you can choose the best materials for any garage roofing installations.

From steel or bitumen sheets to fibre cement, even cedar shake shingles of a variety of colour shades, from light grey or blue to midnight black, you can tailor an installation to the exterior visage of your garage.

EPDM Rubber (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer), for example, is durable and long-lasting, easy-to-install and an ideal alternative to felt or bitumen, making it ideal for flat roofing.

Also, don’t forget that year-round maintenance will help prolong the lifespan of your roofing. Now, many of us don’t exactly climb ladders all that often to inspect the condition of their roofing. But there is a solution.

A simple inspection every season could save you bundles of money and oodles of time reviewing roofing repair companies in the years to come! Foundation cracks and rainwater algae can cause serious damage to your roof.

Choose the right materials for your roofing structure and you’ll save yourself money on any repairs in the future.

Why Choose Asphalt shingles?

Cheap and easy to install, asphalt shingles/ bitumen felt are popular roofing solutions amongst homeowners. They are sold in different thicknesses, colours and are typically quite durable, lasting season after season.

The only real drawback is that asphalt shingles are difficult to repair and become discoloured, compromising the overall exterior aesthetic of your home over time.

Why Choose Tile Roofing?

More expensive, but featuring enhanced prestige, tile roofing is a popular choice amongst discerning homeowners. 

Heavier, but offering more protection against the elements, tile roofing offers long-term protection, whilst holding up well against all types of weather.

Tile garage roofing installations are, however, a mite more difficult to install. Be sure to hire a specialist to do the work. You don’t want to have an accident!

Why Choose Metal Roofing?

Metal roof sheets are another strong option. Durable and capable of withstanding torrential rain and whipping winds, homeowners who choose metal roofing can be assured of a durable, energy-efficient roofing solution – something that’s surely most welcome given the rising cost of living!

Did you know that metal roofing does not need to be repaired for decades? Surely a cost saving that’s likely to be most welcome amongst homeowners!

However, we should mention that metal roofing can be noisy – and it’s more prone to damage than tiles and asphalt shingles.

Replacing Your Garage Roof Needn’t be a Hassle… Provided You Make the Right Choice

Whether you want to add value to your house, secure your belongings or remove your asbestos, replacing your garage roof is necessary – and it’s swift, simple and cost-effective!

Wanting to earn some extra cash to re-coup some of the cost of your garage roof replacement? Rent you space out on Stashbee!