Quick Answer
The lifespan of a new roof can vary significantly depending on the quality of the materials used throughout the roofing system. It’s not just the tiles or slates that matter.
Using better graded, colour-coded battens and a quality breathable membrane can make a massive difference compared with untreated battens and cheaper, non-air-permeable felt.
Many of these materials are hidden once the roof is complete, but they play an important role in its long-term performance. That’s why it’s important to compare the full roofing specification, rather than choosing a new roof based on price or appearance alone.
Not AlL Roofs Are Made Equal
Two new roofs can look very similar when they’ve just been installed, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll perform the same way over the decades that follow.
At Mendip Roofing Contractors, one of the biggest differences we see is the quality and specification of the materials used beneath the visible roof covering.
Tiles and slates are only part of the system. The membrane, battens and fixings underneath them all contribute to how well a new roof performs and how long it is likely to last. Our approach to roof replacement focuses on the complete roofing system, rather than simply replacing what can be seen from outside.
Why do some new roofs last longer than others?
The materials you choose can make a significant difference.
Our director & founder explains:
“The materials you install make all the difference. Using better graded, colour-coded battens and a quality breathable membrane gives you a completely different roofing system to using untreated battens and a cheap felt that isn’t air permeable.”
It’s one of the reasons homeowners should look beyond the tiles when comparing specifications for a new roof.
What's included in your new roof quote?
Tick the details that are clearly specified in your quote.
Tick the details you can find in your roofing quote.
A new roof is more than its tiles or slates. The materials underneath also form an important part of the complete roofing system.
Better roofing battens make a difference
Battens sit underneath the tiles or slates and form an important part of a pitched roof.
There is actually a huge difference in quality between better graded, colour-coded battens and cheaper untreated alternatives.
Modern graded battens are stronger and more consistent than many older products, something we’ve also seen when stripping older roofs where existing battens may be weak and unsuitable for reuse.
Choosing the right materials at this stage means investing in parts of the roof that won’t necessarily be visible once the job is complete.
The membrane underneath matters too
The same applies to the roofing membrane.
Where possible, we will always use a quality Tyvek breathable membrane with Super Roll, rather than opting for a basic, low-cost felt that isn’t air permeable.
Modern breathable membranes have changed considerably from the materials used on older roofs. They’re an important part of how a modern roof is designed to manage moisture and ventilation beneath the external covering.
It’s another detail that may be hidden when a new roof is finished, but can make a real difference to the overall specification.
A new roof is more than new tiles
This is why we encourage homeowners to look carefully at what’s actually included when comparing roofing quotes.
A lower quote and a higher quote may both say “new roof”, but they aren’t necessarily specifying the same products.
The tiles, membrane, battens and fixings all matter. Mendip Roofing also uses galvanised nails to help avoid the corrosion associated with older steel fixings, while modern roofing products can offer improved strength and long manufacturer warranties.
A detailed written quote should therefore explain the products being installed, including the tiles and relevant manufacturer warranties, rather than leaving you to compare prices without knowing what’s underneath them.
Look at the whole roofing system
There isn’t one single material that determines exactly how many years a roof will last. But if you want a roof designed for long-term performance, the specification beneath the tiles matters just as much as the parts you can see.
At Mendip Roofing Contractors, our approach is to use properly specified materials and workmanship designed to last. We’re a family-run roofing business with 16 years’ experience and five generations of family roofing behind us, providing new roof installations throughout Somerset and the wider South West.
When you’re investing in a new roof, don’t just ask what it will look like when it’s finished.
Ask what’s going underneath it too.
The important thing is fixing the cause
A repeat roof leak doesn’t automatically mean that the whole roof needs replacing.
If the problem is localised, the right repair may be all that’s required. But if a leak keeps returning, it’s important to establish why the previous work hasn’t solved it rather than continually applying another patch.
At Mendip Roofing Contractors, we investigate the source of roofing problems and explain what needs to be done before carrying out the repair. Our approach is straightforward: repair what can sensibly be repaired, but make sure the work deals with the real cause of the leak.