How extreme Heat Can Harm A Flat Roof

Daniel Bracewell • 16 August 2022

Everyone has heard the phrase ‘fix the roof when the sun shines’, but sometimes it can actually be necessary to fix it because the sun is shining.

This is certainly true for flat roofs and after the recent record-breaking weather, householders with a flat roof might want to see if some damage has been done.

Among the less obvious ways this can happen is if the various oils and materials are dried out too much by the heat. Wood can be weakened and asphalt shingles can also be cracked by the heat.

Flat roof specialists might not get too many call-outs for problems like this in a normal year, but what was “normal” a few years ago has been well and truly frazzled. It may not have quite hit 40 degrees in Manchester, but it wasn’t far off.

Heating and cooling can also have a damaging effect. This causes fabric to expand and contract, with too much of this compromising its structure. Any fissures that develop can lead to water ingress.

All this comes before the common encore to a very hot spell - severe electrical storms. While lightning strikes are not a significant threat, heavy rain will be, especially if any damage has been done in the heat or if there are other uncorrected flaws.

The fact that heat can damage your flat roof is something many people are just not aware of. Everyone knows about harsh autumn and winter weather, with the effects of heavy snowfall, excess rain, shedding autumn leaves and even tree damage in storms. But at least on those occasions you will be alert and respond fast to any problems.

In the case of summer damage, it is important to make sure any apparent blemishes are checked out and fixed. That way, your roof really will be fixed while the sun shines.

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Can You Install Solar Panels On A Flat Roof?

by Daniel Bracewell • 10 December 2025

If you’re exploring how to lower your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint, you may be looking at the likes of solar panels for your home. But what if your property has a flat roof rather than a pitched roof? Can you still install solar panels on a flat roof? The short answer is yes, you can! In fact, it is often easier to install solar panels on a flat roof than it is to fit them to a sloped roof, which might make this an even more appealing avenue to explore when you’re looking at flat roof ideas . In many cases, you also don’t need planning permission to install solar panels on your flat roof. Of course, there are exceptions if you have a listed building or live in a conservation area, but if you own your house (different rules apply for flats too), you should be free to add solar panels to your home as you choose. There are different kinds of mounting systems for flat roof solar panels and which is most appropriate for your home will depend on the direction it faces. It is worth noting that the cost of installing solar panels is often higher on flat roofs because of the mounting system, but some of this can be offset by the lower labour costs because the installation process is usually more straightforward. One of the main reasons homeowners install solar panels is to reduce their energy bills. Many report savings of hundreds of pounds each year, which means these panels often pay for themselves relatively quickly. What’s more, under the Smart Export Guarantee , you can sell any energy you don’t use back to the National Grid, which can increase the rate at which your investment in solar panels pays for itself. So, if you are exploring ways to make the most of your flat roof, consider solar panels as an option to reduce your energy bills and do good for the environment.