How Much Does Rubber Roofing Cost in the UK?
Rubber roofing — EPDM membrane — has become the go-to covering for flat roofs on garages, extensions and dormers, because it goes on in a single seamless sheet and lasts decades. Here is what it costs in the UK by roof type, and how it compares with felt and fibreglass. For typical prices, see our roof repair cost guide.
Rubber roofing cost: the short version
Single garage: £700–£1,400. Double garage or small extension: £1,200–£2,200. Larger extension: £1,800–£3,500+. Dormer roof: £600–£1,200. Per square metre, supplied and fitted: £80–£120. Replacing a rotten timber deck adds £25–£45 per m2. Every job needs a quick free survey for a firm price.
What you are paying for
A rubber roof price covers stripping the old covering and taking it away, checking and repairing the timber deck, a layer of insulation where a warm-roof build is needed to meet building regs, the EPDM membrane bonded down with adhesive, and new metal edge trims, drip details and any upstands where the roof meets a wall. On a domestic garage or extension the whole thing is usually one sheet with no joins — which is the point, because seams are where flat roofs fail.
What moves the price up or down
Size is the obvious one, priced per square metre once you are past a single garage. Access: a roof you can reach off a stepladder is far cheaper than one needing a scaffold tower. The state of the deck — soft or rotten boards have to come off and be replaced. Whether the build has to be a warm roof (insulation over the deck) to satisfy building regulations, which applies once you replace more than about a quarter of the roof. And the detailing: parapet walls, multiple upstands, pipe penetrations and rooflights all add labour.
Rubber vs felt vs fibreglass on cost
Felt is the cheapest up front — roughly £60–£90 per m2 — but it has seams and a 15–20 year life. Rubber EPDM at £80–£120 per m2 is a modest step up for a seamless roof that lasts 30–40 years or more. GRP fibreglass at £90–£140 per m2 is the most expensive and the hardest-wearing underfoot, but it needs dry weather to cure and is less forgiving of building movement. For most garages and extensions, rubber is the sensible middle.
Is it worth it over another felt patch?
If the existing felt is blistered and cracked across the whole surface, or it has been patched more than once, yes. A rubber roof re-cover is a one-time job with a long guarantee, versus paying for repeat repairs on a covering that is finished. Over ten years the rubber roof is usually the cheaper option.
Rubber (EPDM) roofing cost by application
| Roof | Typical fitted cost |
|---|---|
| Dormer roof | £600 – £1,200 |
| Porch or bay window | £500 – £900 |
| Single garage | £700 – £1,400 |
| Double garage / small extension | £1,200 – £2,200 |
| Larger extension or outrigger | £1,800 – £3,500+ |
| Per m2 (supplied and fitted) | £80 – £120 |
| New timber deck, if needed | + £25 – £45 per m2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a rubber roof last?
A properly fitted EPDM rubber roof lasts 30 to 40 years, and manufacturers quote design lives beyond 50. Because there are no seams and the membrane flexes with temperature, there is very little to go wrong.
Is a rubber roof cheaper than fibreglass?
Usually a little, yes — around £80–£120 per m2 for rubber against £90–£140 for GRP. Rubber also installs in more weather conditions. GRP is tougher for a roof that will be walked on regularly.
Can a rubber roof be fitted over the old felt?
Only if the felt is sound, dry and well stuck down — and even then we usually recommend stripping it, because you want to check the deck underneath and start from a clean surface. Fitting over failing felt just traps the problem.
Do I need building regulations for a rubber roof?
For a straight re-cover of a small roof, often not. Once you replace more than about a quarter of the roof area you generally have to bring the insulation up to current standards, which means a warm-roof build. We handle that as part of the job.
Related Reading
Flat roof replacement cost: felt vs EPDM vs GRP
Read moreUK costs for each covering.
EPDM vs fibreglass vs felt flat roofing
Read moreComparing the three flat roof coverings.
How much does roof repair cost in the UK?
Read moreRealistic UK costs by job type.
Roof repair vs roof replacement
Read moreDeciding between a repair and a full re-roof.
Thinking About a Rubber Roof?
We fit EPDM rubber roofs on garages, extensions and dormers across Merthyr Tydfil and the South Wales valleys — fixed written price after a free survey.