ROOFING MATERIALS

Your choice of roof covering will make a big impact on how your home looks – but how much budget should you set aside? Here we’re investigating the price points for the main options

Base Architects chose Dreadnought Tiles’ Staffordshire Blue machine-made clay tiles for the roof of this renovation and extension project in East 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 to ensure you’re making the right decision, both cost and design-wise. Your roof is there to protect and insulate your home, but it will also contribute to the overall look and feel, helping it to make a statement or blend in.

Your choice will come down to more than aesthetics and product costs, however. The weight of different roofing materials must be considered, so check with a structural engineer which type 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, 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 conservation area or if you’re renovating a listed home. In these kinds of scenarios, planners tend to favour options that’ll remain in keeping with the local architecture. This might involve assigning more budget to handmade or bespoke coverings that can replicate vernacular materials.