Why Water-Resistant Rubber Roofing May Be Your Best Option

Daniel Bracewell • 9 September 2024

If you have a flat roof that needs a new surface after years of wear and tear or are about to get one as part of a home extension, one of the questions you should be considering is what material to cover it with.

Different materials can be used - such as modified bitumen, single ply, or even a green roof with a layer of soil and plants. But there are many reasons rubber roofing can be a great option for your flat roof.

EPDM rubber roofing has the most significant benefit for anyone living in or around Manchester. Yes, we all know it doesn’t rain half as much as some claim, but it does get wet a lot in most of the north west, just like almost anywhere on the western side of the UK, so a non-porous material is a great place to start when thinking about your roof covering.

The advantages are numerous; the surface is easily affordable, eco-friendly, a good insulator, fire-resistant and lasts for many years, although not as long as some of the alternatives. However, it is certainly long enough to ensure it is a very good value-for-money investment.

It may not be the most aesthetically pleasing, but you can always put some attractive things on top of it (like flowers and other potted plants).

Another downside is that the surface will decline rapidly at the end of its life, but that will simply be a signal to get it replaced fast. So if you anticipate this and get the replacement fitted as soon as the decline starts to show, you can avoid any damage.

In the meantime, what you will get is many years of excellent cover, offering a reliable waterproof surface that will hold back just about anything the Mancunian weather can throw at it.

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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.