Pitched Roofs
In spite of changing fashions, the pitched roof remains the most popular roof shape for domestic and public buildings simply because it is the most efficient at shedding water.
Also, the overlapping roof tile and double-lap slate are the most popular coverings because they are durable, inexpensive, easy to lay and widely available. Moreover, their simple rectangular shape, easily cut, and a wide variety of colours and textures allow it to be used on a vast range of roof shapes and designs with confidence, flair and economy.
The easiest roof to design and construct, especially if pre-formed trusses are to be used, is the gable-to-gable shape. Because of the simplicity of this design, interest is often created by the addition of gable parapets, dormers, projections to the plan shape, or special features in the slating. Both the appearance and the weathering of the roof can be improved by the use of hipped ends in place of gables, but these require a more complex and costly structural frame, and also more elaborate detailing.
The design of a pitched roof is dictated initially by the shape of the building, the span between the structural elements and the use to be made of the space enclosed by the roof. Although traditional roof construction, in which rafters and purlins are cut and fitted on site, has largely been superseded by the use of pre-formed trusses, the current move towards using the roof space for accommodation has prompted developments in attic truss design, requiring a lightweight roofing material, for which fibre cement slates are so suitable.
The pitched roof covered with tiles or slates offers the designer a vast choice of roof shapes. Whatever the shape and finish of the accommodation below, it is the design and detailing of the roof that probably has the greatest influence on the appearance and effect of the building as a whole.
After structure and function have been taken into account, the design of the roof may be modified by other considerations, such as weathering and aesthetics. Flat roofs can for a number of reasons be problematic, not to mention the overall aesthetic appearance of them, looking sometimes characterless and bland.
The construction involved in changing a flat roof into a pitched roof is a relatively simple one, but one that is likely alter the look of your home for the better. Each flat to pitch roof conversion once the timberwork is complete can be slated or tiled in the same style as your property making it appear as though it''s always been a part of your home.
We will take care of everything from design, to implementation and completion of all works.
Flat Roofs
Flat roofs are roofs which are horizontally flat or nearly horizontal. We are experts in Flat Roof installation, Flat Roof Repairs, Flat Roofing replacements and we can fix any type of flat roofs.
Modern flat roofs tend to use a continuous membrane which can better resist pools of water of standing water. These membranes are applied as a continuous sheet where possible, though sealants and adhesives are available to allow for bonding multiple sheets and dealing with structures penetrating the roof surface. Other flat roofing options include sealed metal roofing roofs using copper or tin. These are soldered interlocking systems of metal panels.
Many problems can occur over time with torch on flat roofs that will allow water to penetrate the boards below, and eventually into your property. Whether splitting as occurred through puddling of water, warm weather heating and expanding the bitchumen felt or through debris impacting the roof, if caught early enough, we may be able to carry out some maintenance that will help prolong the lifespan of the roof.
This can be done by sealing any cracks with bitumen before they get any worse or by using torched on felt patches to repair any areas that are already causing internal water damage. We would then advise coating your whole roof area with solar reflective paint. This acts as a barrier from all types of weather conditions, from direct sunlight to snow and ice, and as a rule, your flat roof should be recoated annually with this paint if you want the maximum life out of your roof.
If your flat roof is in need of a complete renewal or repair we always install a 3 layer flat roofing system. Firstly, we need to strip the entire roof area, felt, boards etc and expose the roof timbers below, checking for any substantial water damage and replacing with new where needed. We then need to check you have the correct fall on the construction of the roof to allow rainwater to be taken from the roof and into the guttering, alleviating any problems your roof may be currently be suffering from, i.e. puddling of rainwater.
Once this is complete we then install new osb3 boarding to the roof and prime with bitumen primer to give the boards a bond for the felt to adhere to. We then torch on the first undercoat layer of felt, 2mm debotec bitumen backed. Once this is complete we then torch on the 2nd thicker topcoat layer, 4mm debotec bitumen backed felt. We then finish off all 4 sides of your roof using 4mm green mineral felt and installing code 4 lead flashings to any brick abutments adjoining your flat roof. We then coat the entire roof area with a layer of solar reflective paint to protect and prolong your whole roof.
All flat roofs of this nature should be annually checked and maintained, and if done could easily last as long as 15 years without the need for repairs.
Dormers
Dormers are a popular form of extension. Home owners with available attic space now seem to be opting for dormer loft conversions on a regular basis. Maybe due to the character and aesthetic value the sloping ceilings bring, as opposed to the standard box effect you get with a side, front or rear extension to your home.
As well as the aesthetic view from inside a loft conversion its just as important that the same is true from an external point of view, and that the dormer is incorporated into the existing roof and blends in with its surroundings.
There are a number of options to achieve this, with either hanging tiles, slate or even upvc cladding being used.
The Marley plain tiles (small tile) come in a variety of different colours and textures, that can easily be matched to any tile you presently have on your main roof.
If you have a slated main roof and wish to slate your dormer, It''s not usually too difficult to get a near identical match to the slate you will have on your home.
With cladding however, it will be more difficult to achieve any sort of colour match to anything you have on your roof and is usually just another option to go with when deciding how to finish off your dormer.
We are experienced in all 3 of the above types of dormer work and will always strive to make them fit in with your property as best we can.
Leadwork
Very rarely will you encounter a home that as been built without some form of leadwork on it, whether on a chimney, a valley, or the flashing on a single-storey extension.
Lead is an integral part of your homes ability to remain watertight, and without it, or with damaged or poorly installed leadwork, you will experience water penetration sooner or later, the felt underlay being the only barrier between you and whatever weather conditions affect your roof on a daily basis.
Lead is an extremely durable metal and if fitted correctly and in the appropriate grade for the function it will be performing it can provide a maintenance free weather shield for 100 years.
Thicker grades of lead should be used depending on its overall purpose, i.e. frequent foot traffic flat roofs and gutters where extra rigidity is required to resist wind uplift.
As a roofing company we never use lead below grade 4. Anything less should not be used when bossing or forming lead, as the maximum 25% thinning of bossed lead can easily be exceeded. We are experienced in many applications of leadwork, from straightforward aprons for chimneys, to lead ridge work, all the way through to lead coverings for pitched or flat roof constructions.
All carried out with an emphasis on quality workmanship, and customer satisfaction.
Chimneys
Chimneys come in all shapes and sizes, with their primary functions to remove smoke and gasses from the dwelling. We are all about providing quality services. The team take pride in the work they do and can handle commercial and domestic chimney work whatever your needs or requirements.
S Miller Roofing can offer a wide range of services which include:
- New chimneys installed
- Old chimneys repaired
- Commercial chimney installations
- Cast-in-situ chimney linings
- Flashing
- Pointing
- Inspections
- Removals
- Vent Tops
Fascias & Soffits
Soffits and fascias, if currently done in timber work can need constantly maintaining on an annual basis. Due to the constant changes in weather we experience in Britain this will always be a problem with external timber work.
With Upvc Fascias and Soffits you no longer need to worry about this part of your home, or the maintenance work that painted or stained timber fascias and soffits bring.
Upvc comes in a variety of finishes, including black, white, light and dark brown and also woodgrain.
Upvc can also be used for any barge boards or capping boards your home may already have and is a really good way of giving your property an external face lift and relieve you of that annual trip around with the paint brush.
Guttering & Downpipes
Soffits and fascias, if currently done in timber work can need constantly maintaining on an annual basis. Due to the constant changes in weather we experience in Britain this will always be a problem with external timber work.
With Upvc Fascias and Soffits you no longer need to worry about this part of your home, or the maintenance work that painted or stained timber fascias and soffits bring.
Upvc comes in a variety of finishes, including black, white, light and dark brown and also woodgrain.
Upvc can also be used for any barge boards or capping boards your home may already have and is a really good way of giving your property an external face lift and relieve you of that annual trip around with the paint brush.
Velux Windows
Having natural light, whether as part of a loft conversion or a kitchen extension, Velux windows can transform either into a bright, airy and pleasant place to be. Velux windows come in a variety of sizes and can be incorporated into any roofing system quite easily, whether you have a slate roof, tiled roof or even a flat roof.
It really will amaze you to see the difference a Velux window makes to even the darkest attic, bathroom or kitchen.
Roofing Repairs
- Quick and efficient call out
- Competitive prices
- Speedy turnaround
- Fixed price quotation
- Professional standards
- Roofers equipped to reroof on first site visit
Pitched roof repairs to:
- damaged gutters, down pipes or flashings
- chimneys - repointing and new lead aprons
- leaking skylight or window flashings
- missing or defective waterproof membranes
- replacement soffits and fascia, eaves and barge boards
Slate roof repairs:
- leaking slate roof
- missing or cracked slates
- missing ridge slates
Tile roof repairs:
- leaking tile roofs
- missing or cracked tiles
- missing ridge tiles
Felt flat roof repairs to:
- cracks or tears to the felt
- leaking felt membranes
- ponding
- condensation problems
- poor roof drainage
- abutment flashing leaks
Lead roof repairs:
- leaking lead roof
- deformed lead panels, soakers, flashings
- defective guttering
- loose or split lead caused by thermal expansion
Metal roof repairs:
- leaking metal roof
- missing or deformed metal or steel panels
- damaged skylight systems
- defective fixtures
- poor drainage
General Roof Repairs:
- Repairs to ensure the roof meets:
- House seller HIP requirements
- House buyer expectations
- Mortgage buildings insurance requirements
With S Miller Roofing you can be confident that your roof will be quickly and efficiently repaired by a qualified and highly skilled work force and the work will be carried out with the minimum of disturbance and inconvenience.
