Felt Roofing Nottingham — Expert Installation, Re-Felting & Repairs

Felt roofing in Nottingham is one of the most common jobs we carry out at Trust Roofing Services. From garage roofs in Hucknall to rear extensions in West Bridgford, flat felt roofs are found on properties right across the city — and when they start to fail, the damage spreads fast.

This page covers felt roof installation, re-felting, repairs, and what to watch out for if your roof is ageing. Whether you have a leaking garage roof in Arnold, a blistering extension roof in Beeston, or you simply want an expert to take a look — we can help.

Call us on 0115-647-3275 for a free, no-obligation survey.

How to Tell Your Felt Roof Needs Replacing in Nottingham

If you own a property in Nottingham, there's a good chance you have at least one felt roof — on a garage, porch, extension, or outbuilding. Catching problems early saves money and stops water from reaching the structure beneath.

Watch for these warning signs:

• Damp patches or water stains on the ceiling below the roof
• Blistering or bubbling on the felt surface
• Cracked or split felt along seams, edges, or around outlets
• Water pooling on the roof surface more than 48 hours after rain
• Felt lifting or pulling away at the edges or upstands
• Visible sagging in the roof deck
• Moss or algae growth — more common on north-facing roofs across Nottinghamshire

Nottingham's wet winters put real pressure on older felt systems. Freeze-thaw cycles cause seams to open and joints to fail. If your felt roof is more than 15 years old and showing any of the above signs, it is likely approaching the end of its useful life.

If you have spotted something at your property in Sherwood, Carlton, or anywhere across the NG postcodes — call us on 0115-647-3275 before a small problem turns into a structural repair.

Felt Roofing vs EPDM, GRP Fibreglass & Single-Ply — Choosing the Right System

Not every flat roof needs felt, and not every flat roof needs replacing with the same material. The right system depends on your budget, the size of the roof, and how long you want it to last. Here is a plain breakdown of your options.

Felt (Torch-On Bitumen) The most established flat roofing system in the UK. Modern torch-on felt is applied in multiple layers — typically a base layer nailed to the deck, with two further layers torched down in a cross-bonded pattern. This gives a watertight, reinforced finish. Felt is well-suited to garages, porches, and outbuildings where budget matters and the roof is not directly above a habitable room. Lifespan is typically 15–20 years with a quality installation.

EPDM Rubber Roofing A single-ply rubber membrane installed in large, seamless sheets. EPDM stays flexible through cold East Midlands winters and does not crack or shrink the way older felt systems do. It is currently the most popular upgrade from felt for residential extensions across Nottinghamshire. Lifespan is 25–30 years or more with minimal maintenance.

GRP Fibreglass A hard, seamless surface formed from layers of fibreglass matting and resin. GRP gives a clean, modern finish and handles light foot traffic. It is a good fit for dormer roofs, balconies, and extensions where appearance matters. Lifespan is typically 25–40 years.

Single-Ply Membrane A commercial-grade option used on larger roofs and flat-roofed industrial or retail buildings. Less common on domestic properties but worth discussing if you have a large, complex flat roof.



If you are not sure which system is right for your property, we will tell you honestly after the survey — and give you all options in writing. We do not push the most expensive system. We recommend what genuinely fits your roof, your building, and your budget.

How We Install a Felt Roof in Nottingham — Torch-On & Self-Adhesive Systems

We follow a clear process on every felt roofing job across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. No shortcuts. No laying new felt over a failing surface.

1. Free Drone Survey We visit your property and inspect the existing roof. Our drone lets us check hard-to-reach areas safely, giving you an accurate picture of the roof's condition before we recommend anything.

2. Strip Back the Existing Roof We remove the old felt fully. We never lay a new system over a damaged or wet substrate — this is one of the most common causes of early felt failure we see across Nottinghamshire.

3. Deck Inspection and Preparation Once the old felt is off, we check the deck. Any rotten, wet, or soft timbers are replaced before the new system goes down. Many terraced properties in The Meadows and semi-detached homes in Beeston have older deck boards that need attention at this stage.

4. System Installation We install the new felt using a three-layer torch-on method where appropriate. The base layer is mechanically fixed to the deck. The second and third layers are heat-bonded in a cross-bonded pattern for maximum strength and leak resistance. Upstands, flashings, edge trims, and outlets are all detailed properly to stop water finding a way in.

5. Drainage Falls Every flat roof needs a slight slope — a fall — to move water toward the outlet. We build correct falls into every installation. If your existing roof is pooling water, we address this as part of the job, not as an afterthought.

6. Final Check and Clean-Up We inspect the finished roof before we leave and clear away all materials and debris. The job is not done until you are satisfied with the result.

We carry out felt roofing installations across Nottingham city, Hucknall, Beeston, The Meadows, and all NG postcodes. Call 0115-647-3275 to book your free survey.

Common Felt Roof Problems and How We Fix Them

Not every felt roof needs a full replacement. In many cases, targeted repairs can add years to an existing system — and save you real money in the short term.

Blistering Air or moisture trapped between the felt layers causes the surface to bubble. Small blisters can be cut open, dried, and resealed with a heat-bonded patch. Widespread blistering usually means the roof needs replacing. We see this regularly on older garages in Wollaton and on extensions in Arnold that have had poor original installations.

Cracking and Splitting UV exposure and temperature swings cause felt to become brittle over time. Surface cracking at seams or along edges is a common entry point for water. A UV-resistant mineral cap sheet or a bitumen coating applied to the surface can extend the life of a roof that is otherwise in reasonable condition.

Ponding Water If water sits on the roof for more than 48 hours after rain, the drainage fall is insufficient. Standing water accelerates felt deterioration. We can often correct this without a full replacement by adjusting the outlet position or adding a tapered insulation layer to improve the fall.

Leaks at Upstands and Flashings The junction between a felt roof and a wall, parapet, or chimney is one of the most common failure points. We re-seal and re-flash these areas using bitumen and lead where required.

Edge Lifting Felt pulling away from the roof edge allows wind-driven rain to get beneath the surface. We re-bond and re-trim affected edges and install new drip edge profiles where needed.

If you are unsure whether your felt roof needs a repair or a full replacement, we will assess it honestly and give you both options in writing after the survey.

Planning Permission, Building Regulations & Asbestos Felt — What Nottingham Homeowners Need to Know

Before booking any felt roofing work, these are the three things Nottingham homeowners most often ask us about.

Do I need planning permission to re-felt a roof?

For a like-for-like replacement — same size, same position, same material — you generally do not need planning permission. If your property is in a conservation area, such as parts of The Park Estate or Lenton, additional restrictions may apply. Nottingham City Council's planning portal is the place to check if you are unsure. We are happy to help you understand what applies before any work starts.

Do I need Building Regulations approval for felt roofing?

Most flat roof replacements do require Building Regulations approval, particularly where insulation is being upgraded. Current requirements under Approved Document L set a thermal performance standard that affects how the new roof build-up is specified. A warm roof system — where insulation sits above the deck and below the felt — is typically required to meet these standards. We account for this in every installation and can advise on whether self-certification applies to your project.

Could my old felt roof contain asbestos?

Asbestos was used in roofing felt on garages and outbuildings in the UK from the 1920s through to the mid-1980s. If your garage or outbuilding was built before 1985, there is a possibility the existing felt contains asbestos. Asbestos roofing felt typically has a dark grey or black speckled appearance — different from the green-tinted standard roofing felt used today.

Do not attempt to remove it yourself. If the fibres are disturbed, they can become airborne and cause serious lung damage. We can advise you on what to look for and recommend a licensed asbestos removal contractor before any re-felting work begins. This is something we come across regularly on pre-1985 properties across Nottinghamshire — it is not unusual, and it is manageable when handled correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions — Felt Roofing in Nottingham

Can my felt roof be repaired rather than fully replaced?

Yes, in many cases a felt roof can be repaired rather than replaced. Isolated damage — a split seam, a lifted edge, a cracked area around an outlet — can often be patched and resealed without disturbing the rest of the roof. If the felt is widespread in its failure, more than 15 years old, or showing blistering across most of the surface, replacement is usually the more cost-effective long-term option. We will always tell you which applies after the survey.

Is felt roofing waterproof enough for Nottingham's weather?

Yes. A properly installed torch-on felt roof provides good waterproofing and handles heavy rainfall well. The key factors are the quality of the installation — particularly the seams, upstands, and drainage falls — and how well the roof is maintained. Nottinghamshire's wet winters and freeze-thaw conditions do put older, poorly installed felt systems under pressure. A well-installed modern system handles these conditions reliably.

Do I need planning permission to re-felt a garage or extension roof in Nottingham?

For a like-for-like re-felting job on a garage or extension, you do not usually need planning permission. If the property is listed or within a conservation area, check with Nottingham City Council before proceeding. We will always flag any potential planning considerations during the survey stage.

My garage was built before 1985 — could it have asbestos felt?

Yes, it is possible. Asbestos roofing felt was commonly used on outbuildings and garages until the mid-1980s. If you suspect asbestos, do not disturb the existing material. Call us on 0115-647-3275 and we will advise you on the right steps before any removal or re-felting begins.

Should I choose torch-on felt or self-adhesive felt for my flat roof?

Torch-on felt gives a stronger mechanical bond and a longer lifespan. It is the right choice for garages, extensions, porches, and any roof that needs to perform reliably over many years. Self-adhesive felt is simpler to apply and may suit small shed repairs, but it does not match the durability of a torch-on system. For any habitable or high-value space, we recommend torch-on.

Ready to Book Your Felt Roof Survey in Nottingham?

Trust Roofing Services is a family-run roofing contractor based in Hucknall, serving homeowners and businesses across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. We carry out felt roofing installations and repairs across all NG postcodes — from Nottingham City Centre and West Bridgford to Mansfield and Newark-on-Trent.

What you get when you call us:

• Free drone roof survey — no ladders, no obligation
• Honest assessment — repair or replace, we tell you what is actually needed
• Quality torch-on felt systems installed properly
• Building Regulations guidance included
• Fully insured — public liability and employer's liability as standard

📞 Call Trust Roofing Services today on 0115-647-3275

Trust Roofing Services — Harrow Rd, Hucknall, Nottingham, NG15 6JD

Areas We Cover — Felt Roofing Across Nottingham & Nottinghamshire

Trust Roofing Services carries out felt roofing work across Nottingham city and the wider Nottinghamshire region.

We cover all NG postcodes and several bordering areas.

• Nottingham City Centre — NG1
• The Meadows & Lenton — NG2
• Radford & Forest Fields — NG7
• Sherwood & Mapperley — NG3 / NG5
• Bulwell & Bestwood — NG5 / NG6
• Hucknall (our base) — NG15
• Arnold — NG5
• Carlton & Gedling — NG4
• West Bridgford & Edwalton — NG2 / NG12
• Beeston & Chilwell — NG9
• Wollaton & Bilborough — NG8
• Basford & Hyson Green — NG6 / NG7
• Kirkby in Ashfield — NG17
• Sutton in Ashfield — NG17
• Mansfield — NG18 / NG19
• Newark on Trent — NG24
• Eastwood & Kimberley — NG16
• Stapleford & Trowell — NG9 / NG10

Not sure if we cover your area? Call us on 0115-647-3275 and we will confirm straight away.