Materials compared
EPDM vs GRP vs Felt: Which Flat Roof?
Felt costs least (€55 to €90 a m²), then EPDM rubber (€70 to €140 a m²), GRP fibreglass (€75 to €140 a m²) and single-ply (€80 to €130 a m²), laid. EPDM and GRP outlast felt.
Price and life side by side, and which suits which roof.
Free, no obligation. One local company prices it, not five.
What a new flat roof costs for your size
Two taps: the membrane and roughly how big the roof is. The deck, insulation, rooflights and access move the price.
Your roof area × the typical rate
€2,100 to €4,200
30 m² at €70 to €140 a m² for epdm rubber, laid. An estimate, not a quote.
- A kitchen extension, 25 to 40 m², is €3,000 to €6,500 for the whole job.
- A rotten deck adds €30 to €50 a m².
- Repair and roofing work on a house is at 13.5% VAT, not 23%.
Price and life
| Membrane | Typical rate, laid | Life, years, and the trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| EPDM rubber | €70 to €140 a m² | 20 to 50+ years; one sheet; no flame |
| GRP fibreglass | €75 to €140 a m² | 25 to 35 years; walkable; needs dry, mild weather |
| Torch-on felt | €55 to €90 a m² | 10 to 25 years; lowest cost; open flame |
| Single-ply PVC or TPO | €80 to €130 a m² | 20 to 35 years; welded seams; big roofs |
Which suits which roof
- A garage or shed on a budget: felt, or EPDM if it's to last.
- A kitchen extension: EPDM or GRP, ideally as a warm roof. No flame next to the house is a point for EPDM.
- A balcony or a roof you walk on: GRP, or a membrane with a walkway or decking on top.
- A big or complicated roof with several rooflights and walls: single-ply or EPDM, by a company that does a lot of them.
- In winter: EPDM, felt or single-ply can go down; GRP needs dry weather above 10°C to cure.
Flat roof jobs we cover
Flat roof replacementExtensions, garages and dormers. €3,000 to €6,500 on a kitchen extension.More on flat roof replacement →
Flat roof repairLeaks, blisters, split seams, outlets. €250 to €900.More on flat roof repair →
EPDM rubber roofsOne sheet, no flame. €70 to €140 a m² laid.More on epdm rubber roofs →
GRP fibreglass roofsHard and walkable. €75 to €140 a m² laid.More on grp fibreglass roofs →
Torch-on felt roofsThe lowest cost. €55 to €90 a m² laid.More on torch-on felt roofs →
Warm flat roofsInsulation above the deck. €130 to €190 a m².More on warm flat roofs →Flat roofs in every county
- Carlow1.4% flat main roofs
- Cavan0.8% flat main roofs
- Clare1.2% flat main roofs
- Cork2.5% flat main roofs
- Donegal1.0% flat main roofs
- Dublin3.0% flat main roofs
- Galway1.2% flat main roofs
- Kerry1.8% flat main roofs
- Kildare1.0% flat main roofs
- Kilkenny1.4% flat main roofs
- Laois1.2% flat main roofs
- Leitrim1.2% flat main roofs
- Limerick1.6% flat main roofs
- Longford0.9% flat main roofs
- Louth2.3% flat main roofs
- Mayo2.3% flat main roofs
- Meath1.3% flat main roofs
- Monaghan0.9% flat main roofs
- Offaly1.3% flat main roofs
- Roscommon1.2% flat main roofs
- Sligo1.4% flat main roofs
- Tipperary1.6% flat main roofs
- Waterford2.2% flat main roofs
- Westmeath1.5% flat main roofs
- Wexford2.7% flat main roofs
- Wicklow2.7% flat main roofs
Free quote
Get a price in 4 taps
Tap what you need and leave your number. It goes to one flat roofing company that covers your county, and they ring you back to arrange a look and a written price.
Questions people ask
What is the longest-lasting flat roof?
EPDM, at up to 50 years and more when it's laid well. Zinc is longer again at 60 to 80 years, at €150 to €240 a m².
Which flat roof costs least?
Torch-on felt: €55 to €90 a m² laid.
Which suits Irish weather?
Each one is used all over Ireland. GRP is the only one whose laying depends on temperature. The details at the edges and the wall decide more leaks than the material does.
Can I change material when the roof is replaced?
Yes. The old covering comes off, the deck is checked, and any of the four can go on.
Get a free price for your flat roof
One local flat roofing company, a look at the roof, a written price. Free, no obligation.