I would say that the best products (in my view) are fibreglass or EPDM. Fibreglass can be manipulated and shaped better and comes in any colour (that said the norm is grey), the downside is has to be done correctly with quality materials (which can be substituted fir cheap products by some). 25 year guarantee.

EPDM is simply a rubber sheet stretched over the roof but money can be saved on replacing decking ( if sound / dry ). It can look very smart nut comes in black only. Generally about the same cost as GRP. 20 year guarantee

Felt is the cheapest option but degrades very quickly and has generally 10 years life. Peoples perceptions to felt are often also negative as a cheap covering. Brave to offer any guarantee over 10 years.

best by far is EPDM rubber roofing system,but depends on if the roof is going to have any foot traffic, then I would fit a fibreglass system.

fibreglass is the best for foot traffic. epdm is good if there is on trees around as falling twigs can put holes. felt is all round good but does not last as long

Liquid coatings or fibreglass roof is best to use as it's a seamless system with a long guarantee.
As for epdm I'd stay well clear of that it's a loose layed rubber sheet with heat welded seams that normally fail before the guarantee has run out.
A fully bonded felt system is the cheaper option but stay away from builders merchant's like wicks bnq and jewsons buy from a roofing merchant's like SIG and Alltypes where their felts are a lot more durable with longer guarantees

I would recommend Mastic Asphalt.
Any Asphalter has attended a three year city and guilds coarse teaching them how to install Mastic Asphalt correctly.
It is a tried and tested system that is durable hard wearing, can be used on any shape and size roof, and is flame free at application.

It is the only roofing system that is carbon zero rated, highest fire proof rating as is mostly mineral based and is ideal for steps walkways as well as roofs.

I am a 5th generation Asphalter, and altho we do insatall other roofing systems at the request of surveyors, our longest lasting by far is always Mastic Asphalt.

From my personal experience I prefer to use edpm rubber systems, the gaurantee is very good with them, also the finish product looks amazing , not to tricky to install , what could be more water proof then one piece of rubber , nothing , look at a felt roof , there’s that many joins which in years are liable to leak , edpm rubber talk for its self

Felt is the cheapest option but degrades very quickly and has generally 10 years life. Peoples perceptions to felt are often also negative as a cheap covering. with Edpm talks for its self comes as one no joins and 20 years garantee. In my opinion Firestone rubber is the much better choice

Old school roofers who cant fit other systems will tell you 3 layer felt system is the best . Firestone EPDM is very good to so is fibreglass system you get 10 year guarantee with felt and the Firestone has 15 years . I have fitted all over the years and approve them all .

I've used heavy duty polyester based roofing felt for over 40years. Its the best!
Roofs we have done are going strong and some are 35-40 years old.
Andersons 350 range won`t let you down.

Firestone Epdm all way, I only use this as it’s easy and as great life expectancy, done right it won’t need doing again
Thanks Sean

old school way 3 layers of felt all the way if done correctly

Thanks Arran Collins

I totally agree with the other builder's above,EPDM rubber roofing is far better than the conventional old system but on some historical buildings the lead flat roof is still best as it coincides with the building

I personally would use a torch on felted system. If done right it can out last most of the cold applied systems. Traders shy away from this because: 1 not having the knowledge, 2 cost of insurance. In my eyes I would not touch GRP. If it was a liquid coating I would go for Sika liquid plastic. Single ply and EPDM would be no from me.

EPDM is best, it lasts longer and looks neater it comes in 1 piece and has no joins, it will not deteriat like other materials, I've used it many times and had no problems and is easy to use its becoming modern unlike torch on felt but I can still give a 15 year gaurentee providing quality materials are used

I would always recommend fiberglass roofing as it is seamless, good for heavy foot traffic, comes in a range of colors and is exceptionally good for manipulating and shaping around corners and obstacles ticks all the boxs but must be installed by an experienced fitter and stick with the quality brands.
Alternatively I would use 3 layers of tourch on felt as it has most of the benefits of the fiberglass roofing however has a lot shorter lifespan but much cheaper making it a good option

Felt is the cheapest option but degrades very quickly and has generally 10 years life. Peoples perceptions to felt are often also negative as a cheap covering. with Edpm talks for its self comes as one no joins and 20 years garantee. In my opinion Firestone rubber is the much better choice

epdm for the best over all finish and come with 20 years guarantee, you can go for the much cheaper option but guarantee will be less & good chances of problem occurring again

I believe the proof is in the fact that EPDM and Fibreglass are never seen on commercial projects and are predominately used on residential roofs.

Do not be fooled by the “old felt” saying used by people who install systems that can be taught in a days course.

Built up felt roofing is a proven system that’s when installed correctly ( staggered joints, bitumin bead at the laps) come with guarantees of 25-30 years.

We are approved installers for Bauder, garland, iko, sika, Triflex, Kemper, Polyroof so our knowledge of the systems is very vast.

Everything has a purpose but unfortunately there systems (EPDM, GRP) are DIY and will never be up to scratch with the liquid systems like Triflex or Kemper.

So to answer your question, use felt... but make sure the installers are approved contractors for the material manufacturers first and not buying felt from B&Q

I would recommend using GRP system for flat roof as it’s a more robust material compared to felt or EPMD (rubber). GRP is a very tough material that can withstand falling branches or a dislodged tile/slate falling off main pitched roof onto your new extension flat roof, unlike felt or EPMD. Most manufacturers offer a 20-25 year guarantee with their products and a new GRP flat roof installed correctly also looks astically pleasing.

Rubberbond epdm fleece back is by far the best system. It can last 50-60 years if layed correctly. Also by using the 3mt by 15mt rolls you have less joints. It also comes with a 20yr gaurentee if you've been trained to lay it.

With my experience we at right Price Roofing would suggest firestone rubber cover as it is a highly durable material as outstanding weathering and has a life expectancy of 50 years

Your two best options are a GRP roof or an EPDM, however I would not recommend Firestone for EPDM Hertalan rubber is much tougher, felt is the cheapest option but Does not last as long most of them coming with a 10 year guarantee in comparison to Hertalan and GRP having 20-25 years.

Felt is cheaper an guarantee is less I would definitely go for epdm fully adhered or grp as the guarantee is 20 years instead or 10 years.

Personally I would go with epdm for the best over all finish you can go for the much cheaper option but guarantee will be less & good chances of problem occurring again

Personal preference I would use EPDM rubber as you get quite a good warranty with the product it’s self.

In my opinion grp fibreglass is the best material for a flat roof. It comes witha 25 years guarantee so that speaks for itself. Firestone rubber is good but I think fibreglass looks better. We are cromar approved fibreglass roofing installers and can give a 25 year guarantee for every one installed by us.

fibreglass is the best for foot traffic. epdm is good if there is on trees around as falling twigs can put holes. felt is all round good but does not last as long
So my Opinion fibreglass is the one for you

I would recommend epdm firestone , or fibreglass

I would say GRP Fibreglass is the best. in my opinion looks the nicest/cleanest Plus it comes with a 15 year manufacturer garentee.

Fibreglass roofs and Firestone EPMD Rubber all both very good products and I would recommend them for new flat roofs as both comes with long guarantees.

Felt roofing is the cheaper option but doesn’t last as long

Edpm or fibre glass would be my personal opinion

I would recommend using either EPDM or GRP (Fiberglass) these are single ply roofing systems so there are no laps which can weaken down the line, most products come with a 25 year Manufacturer backed guarantee and it is what I recommend to all of my customers. felt is a cheaper option but in my experience the lifespan is much shorter than newer systems.

I would say definitely firestone Epdm with it being a seemless surface there’s no where for water to ingress it’s also eco freindly 0maintenance and comes with a 20yrs guaranteed if your firestone approved with the life expectancy of 50years you can’t go wrong

For low traffic and minimum detailed roofs I would recommend E.P.D.M single ply rubber, and also if South facing as it has a high U.V resistance rating. Traditional built up mineral felt if high traffic but would highly recommended a decent fall to negate water pooling due to laps. In my own personal opinion I would stay away from GRP or Fibreglass systems and this is purely because of the amount of call outs I get due to poor installations.

Out of your options, Epdm is the most long lasting product. Fibreglass is in my opinion the best on the market but followed by epdm.

In my personal opinion the best option for a flat roof with the EPDM rubber or a new GRP fibreglass flat roof both a great flat roofs and both come with long-term guarantee hope this helps.

I would highly suggest the epdm system over the green felt. Or the fibreglass as a second option