ROOFING MATERIAL OPTIONS & COSTS
Your choice of what goes up top will have a big impact on the style of your home. Take a look at the main options and find out how much you should budget for your desired finish
Base Architects (www.
basearchitecture.co.uk) chose Dreadnought Tiles’ Staffordshire Blue machinemade clay tiles for the roof of this contemporary renovation and extension project in Shropshire. The tiles have a distinctive colour, which appears when the kiln’s heat turns the clay’s iron content to blue
The roofing material you choose for your bespoke home project should be considered early on to ensure you’re making the right decision, both in terms of cost and design. Your roof is there to protect and insulate your home, but it will also contribute to the overall look and feel of the property, helping it to make a statement or blend in.
Your choice will come down to more than aesthetics and product costs, however. There are practical considerations to account for, such as the loads your building’s structure can support. Clay or slate tiles tend to be heavier than metal options, for instance. Your roof’s pitch will also have an impact, as coverings have different minimum or maximum thresholds for steepness. Consider location, weathering and ongoing maintenance too. For example, is your home close to the coast? Will it be subject to strong winds?
Planning stipulations should also be factored in. You’re likely to face restrictions if you’re building in a conser vation area or if you’re renovating a listed home. Planners tend to favour options that remain in keeping with the local architecture, which might involve assigning more budget to handmade or bespoke coverings that can replicate vernacular materials.