When it comes to home maintenance, one often-overlooked but crucial component of your roof is the roofing felt. This protective barrier, installed beneath roof tiles, plays an essential role in insulation and safeguarding your home from weather damage. If your roofing felt is deteriorating, it’s important to know how much replacing it will cost and what factors influence the price. This blog will walk you through everything you need to know about the cost of replacing roofing felt under tiles and how Happy Home Improvements can help with a Felt Roof Installation.
What Is Roofing Felt?
Roofing felt, or roofing underlay, is a material that provides an extra layer of protection beneath the roof tiles. Its primary function is to keep your roof watertight, thus preventing water from seeping into your home. The material is typically made of wood, cellulose, fibreglass, or polyester, coated with a layer of asphalt. This coating repels water and allows the roof to breathe, thus preventing condensation.
Although roofing felt is designed to last for around 30 years, factors such as extreme weather conditions, ageing, and wear and tear can cause it to deteriorate over time. Many homeowners don’t realise the importance of roofing felt until they spot a leak, which can be a sign that the underlay has suffered damage.
Why Replace Roofing Felt?
While roofing felt lasts for a significant period, it doesn’t last forever. Over time, especially in older properties, the roofing felt becomes brittle, and cracks begin to appear. Once this happens, your roof becomes prone to leaks, and additional damage can occur if left untreated.
If you’ve noticed leaks or damp spots in your home, it could be time to replace the roofing felt. Depending on the extent of the damage, you may be able to patch up small areas of felt. However, if the damage is widespread, a full replacement may be necessary.
Cost Of Felt Roof Installation
The cost of replacing roofing felt under tiles varies widely depending on several factors. On average, replacing a small patch of roofing felt costs around £200 for residential properties. However, if your roofing felt is extensively damaged and needs to be replaced across the entire roof, the price can range from £2,000 to £7,300.
This price range depends on various factors, including the size of your roof, the type of roofing material you choose, and any additional work required, such as replacing tiles or battens.
Factors Affecting The Cost Of Replacing Roof Felt Under Tiles
Hidden Damage One of the biggest variables when replacing roofing felt is the extent of hidden damage. As tiles are removed to replace the roofing felt, it’s possible that further issues will be discovered. Additional work may be required to address the damage to the roof structure or other underlying components, which will increase the cost.
Battens Battens are wooden planks nailed to the rafters that support the tiles. When replacing roofing felt, old battens may need to be replaced, particularly if they’ve been exposed to moisture over time. This will add to the cost.
Type of Felt The material you choose for your roofing felt also affects the price. Rubberised asphalt is one of the most expensive options, but it is highly waterproof and ideal for flat roofs. While this may add to your costs, the investment is worth it for the added protection.
Tile Replacement When replacing roofing felt, it may be more cost-effective to replace the tiles at the same time. Replacing tiles can be time-consuming, and it might be better to install new ones while the roof is already being worked on. This ensures that your roof is fully secure and prevents future problems.
Scaffolding and Skip Hire If your roof is difficult to access, scaffolding will need to be erected, which adds to the overall cost of the project. Similarly, skip hire may be necessary to remove old tiles, felt, and other waste material, further increasing the cost.
Insulation Another factor to consider is insulation. When replacing the roofing felt, you may want to upgrade your insulation. There are two options available:
Cold Loft Insulation: This is the most common type, where insulation is placed between the joists. It is usually cheaper but does not require replacement during a felt roof installation.
Warm Loft Insulation: Insulation is placed directly under the tiles and felt. This option is typically chosen for loft conversions or when the loft is used as a living space. If you’re already replacing your roofing felt, this might be a good opportunity to upgrade to warm loft insulation.
When Should You Replace Your Roofing Felt?
Roofing felt can begin to show signs of deterioration after around 20 years, especially if it was installed with an impervious type of felt. Properties built in the 60s or 70s often have this older style of roofing felt, which doesn't allow moisture to escape quickly, leading to rotting rafters and joists.
If you've noticed leaks or moisture in your attic, the issue is likely with the roofing felt. While patch repairs are possible for small sections, it's important to address the issue sooner rather than later to avoid further damage to your property. Full roof felt replacement can prolong the lifespan of your roof and prevent expensive future repairs.
Why Choose Happy Home Improvements For Your Felt Roof Installation?
At Happy Home Improvements, we specialise in Felt Roof Installation and repairs. Whether you're dealing with minor leaks or need a full roof replacement, our team of experienced roofers can provide a professional service that ensures your roof is safe, weatherproof, and energy-efficient.
If your roof is due for a felt replacement, we also recommend checking the condition of your tiles and exploring the option of installing New Roofing Vents to enhance ventilation and reduce the risk of future moisture build-up.
Don’t wait for the leaks to get worse—get in touch with us today for a free consultation. Our experts can help you with everything from Felt Roof Installation to advice on roofing vents and insulation upgrades. Protect your home with a durable, long-lasting roofing solution.
If you're interested in learning more about the cost of replacing roof felt under tiles or need assistance with a roofing project, Happy Home Improvements is here to help. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!
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