Roofing
Material choices
Many decisions go into the roof. The roof can be finished with tiles, slate or roofing panels. These may be determined by the architect, especially in a conservation area to help blend with surrounding properties. Costs vary dramatically, for example Welsh slate is 3x more expensive than Spanish, and synthetic slate is cheaper again (see left). Consideration needs to be put into the placement of roof lights and lanterns. Due to the delicate nature of roofing tiles, they should be fitted by a professional installer such as Mount Everest Construction
Pitched roofs
All new roofs in England require a U value (a measure of insulation effectiveness) of 0.18 W/m²K. This normally requires insulation between the rafters and insulation under or above. The image to the right shows a flexible mineral slab between the rafters, insulated plasterboard was added after. Electric velux windows should be considered, as these are more convenient to open. We have also built numerous split levels / mezzanines for our clients to make more effective use of the space in pitched roofs with particularly high ceilings.
Flat roofs
Where a single story extension is constructed, a flat roof system is often used. It is currently very popular to install a large roof lantern to let in a lot of light, giving the space a large feel. These can the be topped with a number of materials, such as grass, which is advantageous in reducing heat loss and improving sound insulation. Additionally, this can promote biodiversity by attracting wildlife, and even double as a balcony