Kitchen Roof

[NISAR1]

I am thinking of replacing my plastic kitchen roof with a different material as when winter comes it gets very cold and there is no insulation but not sure what to choose. Options are Slate roof or marley tiles would need to raise the pitch as rain would be able to get through and by doing this extra cost involved. Option 2 is using a rubber roof made of EPDM rubber or last option is fibreglass both of these will not need the slope raising. Internally it will have kingspan, plaster boarded and skimme.

Has anyone used fibreglass or rubber and are these better than slate or tiles?

[KARL]

Regarding the last two options, my concern would be about maintenance. In the event of failure (leak), there is the possibility of a need for substantial work, including complete replacement. Conversely, slate or tile roofs on the other hand are generally very readily repaired, usually at very modest cost.

[Togo]

Fibreglass is easy to repair as any leakage shows directly under the hole or fracture. A penny sized patch will do it. However it can be very noisy in heavy rain and sounds like a big drum if you don't insulate for it.

[Togo]

If your kitchen relies on the polycarb roof that you have now for good light, have you considered good glazing bars, and double glazed, safety glass sealed units?

[Old_Geezer]

The issue is not what the main material is; it's ensuring enough thermal insulation between the roof and the ceiling.

[NISAR1]

thanks guys for the comments the kitchen is on the northside very bitter cold in winter. I am looking at getting it fully enclosed I do have a large side window and this does give daylight.

[Togo]

Slate or tile it then Nisar. Make sure that you get sufficient "pitch" and insulate between felt and ceiling or use the insulated felt. Make sure you have a good "flashing" or apron between the main building and the top courses of slates or tiles. Slate has become hellish expensive, but you can buy recovered slates from demolished buildings. If the main roof is slate I think I would want to match it for aesthetic reasons.

[The Builder]

I guess you currently have either a corrugated plastic, or more likely, a polycarbonate roof covering.

The timber structure carrying this is very unlikely to be enough to carry any "conventional" roof. There will be "self-weight" loads from adding plasterboard and plaster for a start. Existing timbers could be strengthened, or removed to make way for more substantial joists.

EPDM is a very good, long lasting solution. Very much the way to go for a modern flat roof. It would have to be carried on a new plywood/chipboard deck which would also add load to the joists though.

Strip the whole lot off and start afresh, I would say. As to cost, flat roof would be quite a lot cheaper than constructing a traditional "cut roof" with slate/tile covering.

With a cut roof, you would have the additional cost of dealing with the side cheek gables. (triangular bits on each side of a raised, pitched roof.) Insulation is easily fitted within a slate roof in the usual way.

For a flat roof, go for a "warm roof". Celotex board insulation fitted on top of the new joists. Then the timber deck, and finally the EPDM.

[NISAR1]

Here is a photo of the outside of my house the roof has 2 plastic sheets.
http://i66.tinypic.com/20qnr6a.jpg

[The Builder]

Yes, I'd certainly go for new joists and an EPDM covering.

It would be quite complicated, though not impossible, to get enough rise at the back of the roof (where it joins the building) to enable a slate/tile covering.