Single-Ply Roofing Hampshire

When the bitumen layers of a felt roof have reached the end of their 15 to 25 year lifespan, replacement with a longer-lasting system becomes the practical choice. Felt rolls also create a high number of seams across large surfaces, and each seam is a potential failure point over time.

With single-ply roofing, the seams are hot-air welded so that the joint itself is stronger than the surrounding sheet. This makes single-ply the appropriate choice for flat roofs where durability and a lifespan exceeding 25 years are the priorities.

Where the design requires a smooth, contemporary appearance, single-ply’s clean lines and consistent surface provide an attractive result. TPO membranes are particularly reflective and help to keep interior spaces cooler, while PVC is available in a wide range of colours.

Single-ply roofing is well suited to flat roofs where both aesthetics and durability are important. The membrane delivers a precise finish that lasts between 25 and 40 years, making it appropriate for projects where appearance is a key consideration.

An extensive flat roof area benefits from single-ply’s ability to be welded into one continuous sheet, eliminating the number of seams that felt would require across the same expanse. EPDM is better suited to smaller areas, whereas TPO and PVC are particularly appropriate for larger surfaces.

We achieve a seamless finish by welding the membrane into a single continuous sheet over the full area. The hot-air welds fuse the sheets completely; when tested under load, the sheet material itself is more likely to tear than the weld to fail.

A balcony or terrace requires a membrane that can withstand regular foot traffic alongside sustained weather exposure. Single-ply roofing is suitable for these walkable areas, where a tough, weather-resistant surface is essential.

The construction is engineered to accommodate the significant temperature variations that occur throughout the year, expanding and contracting without damage. Three factors underpin long-term performance: seam quality, fall design, and detail work at all pre-formed corners.

A roof with an irregular profile or a high number of penetrations benefits from single-ply’s capacity to be tailored and welded around every obstacle. Complex detailing is achieved using pre-formed corner pieces and pipe collars, each welded directly to the main sheet.

Upstands are taken at least 150mm above the finished membrane, and wall edges are secured with termination bars. Junctions involving multiple upstands are formed in careful stages, with no reliance on temporary or provisional fixes at any point.

We begin by measuring the deck, recording moisture levels with probes, and photographing all upstands and outlets. Different single-ply materials carry specific moisture tolerances, and thorough deck checks at this stage confirm that the substrate is ready before installation proceeds.

Deck checks include moisture probes, flex tests, and fastener pull-out checks. Any deficiencies with boards, moisture readings, or fixings are resolved before the membrane is laid.

The old covering is stripped back, any soft or damaged boards are replaced, and the surface is cleaned and primed. A single-ply membrane requires a clean, dry, and contaminant-free substrate for reliable adhesion, as residues of any kind can impede bonding.

Common contaminants include bitumen, silicone, paint overspray, fungal growth, oily dust, and mortar traces. The deck is wiped thoroughly to remove all residues, and the process is repeated where necessary before priming begins.

Tapered PIR insulation is laid to create the required fall and secured in the manufacturer-specified pattern. A minimum 1:80 fall is required to prevent ponding stress, and falls are verified using precision tools including laser levels at 1-metre intervals.

The insulation pattern is designed to direct water from the high point to the outlet. A properly constructed flat roof should shed water within 30 minutes of rainfall stopping, with no standing puddle exceeding 5mm in depth.

The sheets are rolled out, secured with adhesive or mechanical fixings, and dressed carefully into all trims. Sheets arrive in 1.5 to 2 metre rolls and are fixed according to the exposure category and wind uplift requirements for the site.

Edges are anchored against wind uplift using mechanical fixings, ballast, or adhesive bonding and secured tightly to withstand severe weather conditions, including high winds.

Each seam is hot-air welded using a hot-air gun to fuse the sheets into a single unit, then assessed with a seam probe and a visual inspection. Every welded seam is probe-tested, visually checked, and documented with a photograph.

A sound weld will resist the probe; a weak weld may allow the probe to enter the joint, and any such issues are addressed immediately with the hot-air gun. A detailed test report is provided to you before the final invoice is issued.

Each welded seam undergoes a seam-probe test, a visual inspection, and is documented with a photograph. Larger roofs may also undergo a 24-hour flood test where the design permits.

We run the probe along the full seam length. A sound weld resists the probe; a weak weld may allow the probe to enter the joint, and any such issue is corrected immediately with the hot-air gun.

Testing includes:

• Hand-probing along seams
• Sprung-gauge pull on trims
• Flood testing flat areas with blocked outlets
• Smoke testing upstands and termination bars

A single-ply membrane requires a clean, dry, and contaminant-free surface for reliable adhesion. Residues such as bitumen, silicone, old paint, and oily dust can each impede bonding.

We remove the old covering, replace any damaged boards, and assess moisture levels with a probe. Elevated readings require drying out or board replacement before the surface is swept, vacuumed, and primed with a compatible primer.

Common contaminants include:

• Bitumen from previous materials
• Silicone from old seals
• Paint overspray
• Fungal growth
• Oily dust
• Mortar traces

The deck is wiped thoroughly with a clean cloth to remove all residues, and the process is repeated where necessary.

Complex detailing is achieved using pre-formed corner pieces and pipe collars. Double-laminated patches reinforce stress points, and each component is welded directly to the main sheet.

Upstands are taken at least 150mm above the finished membrane level, and wall edges are capped with termination bars. Flanges are custom-formed and welded at all penetrations, including pipes and skylights.

Junctions requiring multiple upstands are formed in careful stages, with no reliance on temporary or provisional fixes at any point in the process.

Single-ply roofs are designed to withstand weather exposure through secure bonding and welded seams. Wind exposure on the site influences our choice of fixing patterns during installation.

Sheets are anchored against wind uplift using mechanical fixings, ballast, or adhesive bonding, with edges secured tightly to perform in severe weather conditions.

Ponding tolerance is an important consideration: short-term ponding is generally harmless, while prolonged ponding accelerates wear. Proper fall design using tapered insulation prevents this from occurring.

Deck readiness checks for single-ply installation include moisture probes, flex tests, and fastener pull-out checks. Any deficiencies with boards, moisture readings, or fixings are resolved before the membrane is laid.

The deck is probed systematically, and any suspect areas are addressed before work progresses. Joist ends are inspected, and falls are verified with precision tools.

Different single-ply materials carry specific moisture tolerances, and our thorough deck checks confirm that the substrate is fully ready before installation begins.