Are you thinking of installing a new roof? Before you start planning, it’s worth familiarising yourself with the relevant building regulations. These regulations need to be met to obtain planning permission. Fail to do so and you could be given an enforcement notice to remove the changes to your roof. The result? Your property is back at square one and you’ve thrown a lot of time and money down the drain. Don’t get caught out. Read on for 5 key regulations when it comes to new roofs.

  1. Exemption from planning permission

A lot of homeowners will be happy to learn that not all new roofs are subject to planning permission. If you’re not changing the style, height or pitch of the roof, you don’t need to apply for planning permission in most cases. You will, however, need to submit a building regulations application because you’re removing or replacing more than 25% of the roof.

  1. Covering

Materials used to cover the roof need to fulfil the purpose of the roof – to resist the weather. They need to be durable and provide a suitable covering, which may depend on the pitch of the roof. Roof coverings that are close to boundaries should also incorporate measures to limit the spread of fire.

  1. Wind uplift

Roofs need to be securely tied down to their structure to stop them being lifted by strong winds. As well as the timbers, this includes the underlay, which needs to meet standards for wind uplift and vapour resistance. To adhere to this, contractors must use underlay that is suitably labelled for meeting the new standards. It’s also important that any penetrations made to hold the underlay down are sealed where required. Any tears, enlargement or shrinkage could cause the underlay to weaken and life in high winds.

  1. Roof weight

Roof weights are paramount for new roofs. Taking slates off and replacing with heavier tiles can bend your roof frame over time. Always consult an experienced roofer or better still get a structural engineer if any risks are perceived. The weight of roofing materials can also force rafters to splay apart and then this can push the walls out on your home (This is known as ‘roof spread’). Ceiling joists, fixed to the end of rafters, will stop them pulling apart. In some cases, like visible roofs without a ceiling, another system will need to be used. Again, this is something that requires professional assistance.

  1. Insulation and ventilation

Roofs should be insulated using either warm deck insulation or cold deck insulation. For warm deck, insulation is placed over the roof joists or rafters, while cold deck insulation is between the rafters or ceiling joists, leaving the roof’s structure cold. For cold deck roof insulation, there will need to be sufficient ventilation to allow air to flow and prevent moisture build up.

Roofing experts in Huddersfield

When it comes to roofing, there are a range of factors that need to be considered. That’s why it’s so important to get the best contractors for the job. DPR Roofing is a team of expert roofers in Huddersfield with nearly three decades of experience. In that time, we’ve installed countless new roofs on both commercial and domestic properties. In every case, we provide the highest quality results that stand the test of time. Contact us today to arrange your free quote.