Larke's Roofs

Roofing guides

Costs, process, comparisons and practical advice written from day-to-day roofing work in Norfolk.

Pitched tiled roof mid-replacement with new battens visible

What actually drives the cost of a new roof

For owners collecting quotes who want to understand why the numbers differ so much.

New flat roof deck being prepared before the covering is laid

What changes the price of a flat roof

For anyone pricing a garage, extension or dormer roof replacement.

Roofer assessing the condition of an existing pitched roof covering

Repair it again, or replace it?

For owners who have had the same roof patched more than once and want a straight answer.

Roof replacement in progress with new battens and membrane exposed

What actually happens during a re-roof

For homeowners who have agreed a roof replacement and want to know what the week looks like.

Flat roof surface showing membrane covering and perimeter trim detail

EPDM vs GRP: which flat roof system?

For homeowners weighing up the two systems most often quoted for extensions and garages.

Slate roof covering on a period property with lead detailing

Slate, clay or concrete: choosing a covering

For owners specifying a re-roof and deciding what goes back on.

Roofer documenting damage to a roof for an insurance inspection

Roof insurance claims and inspection reports

For property owners claiming for storm, impact or escape-of-water damage.

Pitched roof and gutter line viewed from ground level for inspection

The annual roof check worth doing

For owners who would rather spot a problem in October than discover it in February.

Roofing team working on a domestic roof in East Anglia

How to choose a roofer without regretting it

For anyone hiring a roofer for the first time, or after a bad experience.

Roofing work in progress on a domestic property

Guarantees, warranties and insurance

Three different protections that get talked about as if they were one.

Roofer setting new plain tiles on a stripped and re-battened pitched roof

How much does a new roof cost?

For owners at the start of the process who want to know how the number is built before anyone visits.

Roofer carrying out a localised repair to a slipped tile on a domestic roof

Roof repair cost, job by job

For owners with one known fault who want to understand what that specific repair involves.

Pantile and clay tile roof costs in Norfolk

For owners of the pantile-roofed cottages, terraces and farmhouses that make up much of the local building stock.

Scaffold erected to eaves height alongside a house during roof works

Scaffolding for roof work: when it is needed and what it adds

For owners wondering why one quote includes a scaffold and another does not.

Lead flashing detail at a chimney abutment, the kind of item a quotation should specify

What should a roofing quote include?

For owners holding two or three prices who cannot tell why they differ.

Lead flashing and chimney detail on a traditional Norfolk property

Thatched roofs: what we can help with, and what we cannot

For owners of thatched Norfolk properties who need to know who to call for which part of the roof.

Rear extension with a new EPDM flat roof beside the pitched tiled roof of the main house

Pitched vs flat roofing: how to choose

For anyone extending, converting or replacing a roof and weighing up a slope against a deck.

Single sheet EPDM rubber membrane laid over a garage roof with trimmed edge detail

EPDM rubber roofing: a complete practical guide

For anyone quoted for a rubber roof who wants to know what they are actually buying.

Roofer carrying out an emergency repair to storm damaged tiles on a house roof

Emergency roof repairs: what to do while you wait

For anyone with water coming in right now who needs to limit the damage safely.

Wind damaged roof slope with displaced tiles awaiting emergency repair

Storm damage to roofs: a guide for East Anglia

For owners assessing a roof after high winds, and deciding what needs doing first.

Newly dressed lead flashing and soakers at a brick chimney on a tiled roof

Roofing leadwork explained

For owners who keep being told the problem is the lead, and want to know what that means.

Repaired brick chimney stack with new lead flashing and fresh flaunching

Chimney repairs: what goes wrong and what fixes it

For owners with damp on a chimney breast, crumbling brickwork or a stack that looks tired from the road.

Loft space with insulation between and over the ceiling joists and clear eaves ventilation

Roof and loft insulation: getting it right

For owners insulating a loft or a room in the roof who do not want to create a condensation problem.

Eaves detail on a pitched roof showing a clear ventilation path above the insulation

Roof ventilation: why your roof needs to breathe

For owners with black mould in the loft, damp timbers or water dripping with no rain outside.

Traditional slate roof on a period property with restored ridge and lead detailing

Heritage roofing: repairing historic roofs properly

For owners of listed, conservation area and older character properties across East Anglia.

Natural slate roof slope with even courses and clean cut edges

Welsh vs Spanish slate: how to choose

For owners re-slating a roof and deciding where the money is best spent.

Stripped pitched roof with new battens and membrane before the covering is laid

Full re-roof or overlay: which do you actually need?

For owners offered a cheaper option that leaves the old covering in place.

Older tiled roof slope showing weathering and displaced units near the ridge

How long should a roof last?

For owners trying to work out whether their roof is tired or genuinely finished.

Detached garage with a newly laid single sheet flat roof membrane and drip trim

Garage roof replacement: what you need to know

For owners with a sagging, leaking or patched garage roof deciding what to put back.

Eaves detail showing new fascia, soffit and guttering below a tiled roof slope

Gutters, fascias and soffits explained

For owners with overflowing gutters, sagging boards or staining down the wall.

Roof window installed flush into a tiled pitched roof slope with proper flashing

Roof windows and rooflights: a fitting guide

For owners adding light to a loft, a landing or a room in the roof.

Conservatory with a replacement solid tiled roof tied into the main house roof

Conservatory roof options: what to do with a room you cannot use

For owners of conservatories that are unbearable in July and freezing in January.

Period property roof in a conservation area with matching traditional covering

Roofing, planning permission and building regulations

For owners working out whether their roof job needs approval before it starts.

Pitched tiled roof slope suitable for solar panel mounting brackets

Solar panels and your roof: what to check first

For owners planning solar, or with panels already fitted to an ageing roof.

Roofer inspecting the condition of a tiled roof slope and ridge line

What happens during a roof survey

For anyone booking an inspection, buying a house, or checking a report they have been given.

Roof and gutter being checked and cleared before winter weather

Preparing your roof for winter

For owners who would rather spend an afternoon in October than an evening in January with a bucket.

Flat roof outlet and upstand being examined for the source of a leak

My flat roof is leaking. Can it be repaired?

For anyone with a stain spreading across a ceiling under a flat roof right now.

Three flat roof finishes side by side on a domestic extension and garage

EPDM, fibreglass or felt: which flat roof is right for your building?

A working comparison from a firm that fits all three, not a sales pitch for one.

Fibreglass laminate being rolled out over a prepared roof deck with moulded edge trim

Fibreglass flat roofing: what you get for the extra work

For homeowners specifying a balcony, terrace, dormer or extension roof they will walk on.

Mineral surfaced cap sheet being laid over an underlay on a built up felt roof

Is felt still a sensible flat roof in 2026?

For owners weighing up a recover and wondering whether felt deserves its old reputation.

Clay pantiles and concrete interlocking tiles on adjoining East Anglian roofs

Clay or concrete tiles: what should go back on your roof?

For owners planning a re-roof who have been given two very different prices.

New pitched roof structure built over a former flat roofed rear extension

Should I convert my flat roof to a pitched one?

An honest look at a job that is sometimes excellent value and sometimes money badly spent.