Average Cost of Replacing Roof Felt Under Tiles

Cost Guides

Roofing felt is a secondary barrier between your roof tiles and your roof space. If you have a broken roof tile, the underlay will stop the rain from entering your property. Although roof underlay is a robust material, it doesn't last forever. The older the material is, the more likely it will begin to deteriorate. If you're wondering about the cost of replacing roof felt under tiles, this article contains everything you need to know.

Whether you need to replace all the felt on a roof or have a small patch that needs a repair, pop your details into the box below, and you'll have a quote in no time!

Cost of Replacing Roof Felt Under Tiles

ItemEstimated Costs
Scaffolding Hire£680
Roof Tiles£750
Fixings£22
Battens£90
Flashings£120
Labour£1900
Ridge Tiles£90
Roofing Felt£100
Note: costs are estimates

How Much Would it Cost to Replace the Felt Under my Roof Tiles?

If the felt under your tiles needs replacing, you must know that it's not a small job. All the existing tiles need to be removed to access the underlay. The cost of replacing roof felt under tiles starts at around £2250 and can go up to as much as £7200. These are the estimated costs of replacing the felt on a full roof.

If all your tiles have to be removed to replace the felt, it makes sense to replace the tiles at the same time.

If you would like a free no obligation quote to replace roof felt, click here (choose roof repair in the quote box)

Why Should You Replace Your Roof Felt?

Water stained ceilings are one of the first things you'll notice if your roof felt needs replacing. If your roof has damaged tiles, the underlay will stop rainwater from entering your home. If the underlay isn't doing its job, it's time to have it replaced.

The first types of roofing felt was developed in the 1930s. Builders used a thin layer of building paper to to offer some protection from the weather while building the house. After the Second World War, different types of materials were used as roof felt. All the early types of roof underlay had one common problem – inadequate ventilation. Condensation would build up on the surface of the material. Small pools of water would build up until it spilled over onto the attic floor. Damp patches on bedroom ceilings were a common problem back then.

A breathable, weatherproof material was developed in 1984. Since then, the problem of condensation has been considerably reduced. The new type of breathable membrane allowed water vapour to evaporate. A breather membrane mostly solved the condensation problem. But, most homes have loft insulation which keeps the moisture trapped in the roof space. Instead of the moisture evaporating, it is more likely to condense.

The old types of roofing felt are notorious for becoming brittle and disintegrating. Repairing a hole in old roofing felt is only a temporary measure, and it is only a matter of time before the entire roof will need to be stripped to install new felt.

Many old houses were built without using any type of weatherproof barrier. Some of those old houses still don't have it to this day. Broken roof tiles or missing slates can cause an awful lot of water damage to a property with no roofing felt.

What is Roofing Felt?

Roof felt is a breathable material that acts as a waterproof barrier. Roofing felt is an essential part of a tiled roof. If a roof has broken tiles, the felt underneath is the last form of defence against wind, rain, and snow. The lifespan of roofing felt is approximately 30 years. 

The majority of homeowners have never heard of roofing felt. Most homeowners learn about roofing felt when they discover rainwater finding its way into their home. Damp patches on the bedroom ceilings are a good sign that the roof needs re-felting. 

What type of Material is used to Make Roofing Felt? 

The base of the material used to make roofing felt is fibreglass, wood, polyester, or cellulose. A layer of bitumen is added to the base material to make it waterproof while remaining breathable. The layer of bitumen stops the extreme weather from damaging the roof's interior. 

The old type of roofing felt used on older houses does not provide the added layer of protection. After two decades of bitterly cold winters and scorching summers, the felt will begin to crack. Cracked, brittle roofing felt put your home at risk of roof leaks. Although it's possible to repair a small damaged patch, it's not the ideal solution. Re-felting the roof is the best way to ensure your home is watertight, whatever the weather.

What is the Average Cost of Roofing Felt?

The average cost of roofing felt is around £200 to repair a small hole on a domestic property. If the existing material is old, cracked, and brittle, replacing the felt on the entire roof might be the only option. 

If your roofing felt is old and needs replacing, it's always a good idea to swap the old tiles for new ones at the same time. The cost of replacing all the felt on a roof starts at about £1900 and can go up to as much as £7200. If you are thinking about tackling this job yourself, think very carefully. It is not a do-it-yourself job.

Expenses that will Affect the Cost of Replacing Roof Felt Under Tiles

Roof tiles – believe it or not, it will cost you less money to replace all your existing tiles than to try and reuse them. It's a slow, time-consuming process trying to save all the tiles so that they can be reused. It's much quicker to throw the old tiles away and replace them with new ones at the same time as replacing the felt.

Roofing felt – the cost of roof felt will depend on which type of material is used. Rubberised asphalt roofing felt is the most durable, but it's also the most expensive. This type of roof felt is perfect for a flat roof.

Scaffolding – professional roofers use scaffolding to gain safe access to the roof. Scaffolding is essential for a roof replacement, roof repairs and chimney stack removal. Scaffolding costs will be included in your quotation.

Hiring a skip – roofing companies use skips because it is the quickest way to dispose of old tiles. Skip hire costs will be included in the quotation. 

Hidden damage – roofers need to remove the concrete tiles so they can remove the old membrane. Sometimes removing the roof covering can expose a lot of hidden damage. Rotted battens, disintegrated underlay, or problems with the roof structure. Regular roof maintenance will help avoid these types of scenarios on your roof. 

Battens – roofers roll out long lengths of roofing membrane and use battens to hold it in place. Once the roof is felt and battened, tiles are placed on top of the battens. The cost of new roof battens will be added to the final price.

When Should I have my Roofing Felt Replaced?

If you have cracked and brittle roofing felt, it no longer acts as a protective barrier for your home. If you have a broken roof tile, the protective membrane is your last form of defence. Wind, rain, and snow will get into your roof space and cause a lot of damage. Do not ignore it – it needs repairing or replacing as soon as possible.

Signs that You have Damaged Roofing Felt

If you notice wet patches in the bedroom ceiling, it could be a sign that you have a hole in your roof. If the roofing underlay was in good condition, it would stop rainwater from entering your roof space.

Roofing felt replacement is a high-risk job that only a professional should undertake. A professional roofer will make sure that the correct materials are used and your home is protected from extreme weather.

How Long does Roofing Felt Last Under Tiles?

The lifespan of roofing felt will depend on what type of material was used. Older types of roof felt had an average lifespan of 20 years. The new types of breathable membrane can protect your home for over 30 years.

When it's time to have your roofing felt replaced, it's worth spending a little extra money on a breathable underlay. It will last longer than traditional felt, but it will stop the build up of condensation.

Get a FREE no Obligation Quote for Roofing Felt Replacement

Would you like a free no obligation quote to find out the cost of replacing roof felt under tiles? If you said yes, enter your details into our quote form, and you'll have your quotes in no time.

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