EPDM rubber roofing is generally the best all-round choice for Norwich homes: it comes with a 20-year guarantee and can last 40 or more years. Fibreglass (GRP) offers a seamless, hard-wearing surface suited to light foot traffic. Felt roofing is the most familiar option but has the shortest lifespan of the three.
What is EPDM roofing?
EPDM is a synthetic rubber membrane, fitted to the roof deck and, where seams are needed on larger roofs, fully welded using specialised tape systems into one watertight membrane, rather than relying on overlaps the way felt does. Anglia Flat Roofing installs Firestone RubberCover EPDM systems, with a 20-year guarantee and a realistic lifespan of 40 years or more when properly installed and maintained.
What is fibreglass (GRP) roofing?
GRP, or glass reinforced plastic, is built up in layers and cured to form a rigid, seamless surface. Once cured, it produces a solid, walkable roof that copes well with light foot traffic, making it a popular choice for roof terraces, balconies and dormer roofs as well as standard flat roof extensions.
What is felt roofing?
Felt roofing is the traditional, budget-friendly option, laid in overlapping layers and bonded with heat or adhesive. It’s a familiar sight on older Norfolk properties, but the overlapping joints are more vulnerable to failure over time, and felt typically needs replacing sooner than either EPDM or GRP.
Which is right for your home?
The right material depends on a few things: the size and shape of your roof, whether you need the roof to take any foot traffic, how long you want it to last, and the condition of the existing structure underneath. A roof with a lot of detailing (upstands, pipes, awkward corners) often suits EPDM’s flexibility, while a roof terrace or accessible flat roof tends to favour GRP’s rigid, walkable finish. We assess all of this on-site before recommending a material, rather than defaulting to one option.
Get an on-site assessment
Every flat roof is different, and the right material depends on your specific roof rather than a one-size-fits-all answer.