How do I know if my roof needs replacing rather than repairing?

Isolated faults – a few slipped slates, a cracked ridge tile, a failed flashing – can be repaired. Replacement starts to make sense when faults are appearing all over the roof: widespread slipping from corroded nails, perished underfelt, rotten battens, or a covering that is cracking and flaking across every slope. We'll show you what we've found and explain our reasoning; the decision is always yours.

What guarantee do you give on a new roof?

New roofs come with a 20-year guarantee. We'll set out what is covered in writing with your quote.

Can I re-use my existing slates or tiles?

Often a good proportion of natural slates, clay tiles and stone slates can be re-used if they are stripped carefully and are still sound. We sort and grade them and make up the shortfall with matching new or reclaimed material. Concrete tiles are less often worth re-using. Re-use can help on older houses and in conservation areas, where matching the original matters.

Do I need permission to replace my roof?

Replacing a roof like-for-like on an ordinary house usually doesn't need planning permission, but building regulations can apply to re-roofing, and changing the material or appearance may need planning permission in a conservation area. If your home is listed, work affecting its character needs listed building consent. We'll help you understand what to ask the council.

How long does a roof replacement take?

It depends on the size and complexity of the roof, the weather and what we find once the old covering is off. A typical house is usually a matter of days rather than weeks once scaffolding is up. We'll give you an expected timescale with the quote and keep you updated.

Roof Replacement York | New Roofs & Re-Roofing

Re-roofing York homes, done once and done properly

A new roof is a big decision, and it should only be made when repair no longer makes sense. When it does, it should be done once and done properly. York Heritage Roofing strips and replaces pitched roofs across York and the surrounding area in clay and concrete tiles, natural slate and Yorkshire stone, and renews flat roofs in EPDM rubber. Every new roof comes with a 20-year guarantee, and every quote is free and in writing.

When a roof needs replacing

Widespread slipping – slates or tiles slipping all over the roof, usually because the nails have corroded (nail sickness).
Perished underlay – old bitumen felt that has torn and sagged, or no underlay at all on an old torched roof that is failing.
Failing battens – rotten or undersized battens that no longer hold fixings.
A worn-out covering – slates delaminating, tiles spalling after frost, or concrete tiles eroded and porous.
Repeated repairs – when the cost of patching each winter is adding up to the cost of doing it properly.

One or two of these on their own may still be repairable. We'll tell you honestly where your roof is – see roof repairs for the alternative.

What a full re-roof involves

Survey and written quoteWe inspect the roof outside and from the loft, and set out the scope, materials, access and timescale in writing.
Scaffolding and protectionSafe access is erected and gardens, paths and conservatories are protected.
Careful strippingThe old covering comes off. Sound slates or tiles worth keeping are sorted and stacked for re-use.
Timbers checkedRafters and wall plates are inspected; any defects are shown to you and priced before repair.
Membrane, battens and ventilationA breathable membrane, treated battens at the correct gauge and suitable ventilation.
New covering and detailsTiles, slates or stone laid and fixed to suit the exposure, with new leadwork, ridges, hips and verges.
Roofline and clear-upGutters, fascias and soffits renewed if needed, debris cleared and the work explained.

Illustration of a new grey concrete tile roof on a 1930s-style brick and render bungalow — IllustrationNew grey concrete tiles on a 1930s-style bungalow.

Choosing a material

Concrete interlocking tiles are economical and common on post-war homes. Clay pantiles and plain tiles suit older houses, village cottages and many conservation areas around York. Natural slate is the traditional covering on most of York's Victorian and Edwardian terraces and lasts very well. Yorkshire stone slate belongs on the older buildings that already have it. On listed buildings, the material is usually decided by what is there now – see listed building roofing.

What does a new roof cost?

It depends on the size and shape of the roof, the material, access and what's found under the old covering. Our roof costs guide sets out typical UK guide ranges for re-roofing terraced, semi-detached and detached houses in tile and slate, with sources. Your own price will always be a free written quote after we've seen the roof.

Areas we cover

We replace roofs across York and nearby, including Haxby, Acomb, Huntington, Fulford, Bishopthorpe, Strensall, Copmanthorpe, Poppleton, Selby, Tadcaster, Heworth, Clifton, Dringhouses, Wigginton, Malton and Pocklington. See areas we cover.

Roof replacement in York