East Wittering is the most exposed location in our area. The Manhood Peninsula position means south-westerly gales arrive at full coastal strength with no shelter from adjacent terrain. Every roofing decision here must account for wind uplift, salt air corrosion and UV exposure at levels that simply do not apply further inland.
East Wittering is the most exposed location in our area. The Manhood Peninsula position means south-westerly gales arrive at full coastal strength with no shelter from adjacent terrain. Every roofing decision here must account for wind uplift, salt air corrosion and UV exposure at levels that simply do not apply further inland.
GRP fibreglass is the only recommended flat roofing system for East Wittering. The peninsula UV levels and salt air environment means felt fails within 5 to 8 years. EPDM is the alternative for large areas. All flat roof work is done with marine-grade sealant and stainless fixings.
Flat roofing work in East Wittering covers bungalow rear extensions throughout East and West Wittering — GRP or EPDM only, felt not suitable for this level of UV and wind exposure. All flat roof work is surveyed before quoting — falls, drainage points, upstand details and any existing structural issues are assessed as part of the free survey.
Free quote — no call-out fee — East Wittering and surrounding area
📞 01243 278085GRP fibreglass provides the longest lifespan and the most seamless finish; it is our default recommendation for most East Wittering properties. EPDM rubber is cost-effective for larger areas and equally durable. Felt is not recommended for any East Wittering property — the lifespan is too short to justify the cost, in East Wittering's maximum coastal UV and salt air environment.
"Garage flat roof was leaking after only twelve years on the old felt. GRP conversion — not a drop since. Should have done it years ago."
"Extension flat roof done in GRP. Neat finish, no mess left. They explained every step of the process before starting."
"Had EPDM on the large back extension. Brilliant product, very professional installation. Highly recommend."
East wittering and the manhood peninsula tip are the most wind-exposed locations we cover — south-westerly gales arrive across open solent with no land shelter. For flat roofing in East Wittering this means mechanically fixed tiles are not optional here — mortar-bedded ridges on East Wittering properties have a demonstrably shorter interval between failures than equivalent properties even 5 miles north. The coastal bungalows and holiday properties behind the beach are predominantly 1950s to 1970s stock with concrete tile roofs, many of which have had multiple tile losses in storm events. Every re-roof we carry out in east wittering uses mechanical tile clips throughout, not just on the ridge — the wind loading here justifies it.
GRP fibreglass is the only recommended flat roofing system for East Wittering. The peninsula UV levels and salt air environment means felt fails within 5 to 8 years. EPDM is the alternative for large areas. All flat roof work is done with marine-grade sealant and stainless fixings.
A typical garage flat roof in East Wittering costs £850–£1,550. A rear extension flat roof is typically £1,700–£4,800 depending on size and system. We quote by the square metre after a free survey.
GRP fibreglass lasts 25 to 40 years in East Wittering's conditions. EPDM rubber lasts 30 to 50 years. Traditional felt lasts 8 to 12 years at most in East Wittering's maximum coastal UV and salt air environment — we do not recommend felt replacement for any East Wittering property.
Yes — felt to GRP conversion is a standard job for us. We remove the existing felt and boarding, install new treated decking, apply the GRP system and finish with a UV-stable coloured gelcoat. The improvement in lifespan is significant and the upfront cost difference is recovered within a few years.
Blistering, cracking, pooling water after rain, or felt that has become soft and spongy to walk on are all signs a replacement is needed rather than a patch repair. If a felt flat roof is over 12 years old in East Wittering's coastal climate and showing any of these signs, replacement with GRP or EPDM is almost always the more cost-effective long-term decision.
Replacing a flat roof like-for-like on a house extension or outbuilding is generally permitted development in East Wittering. Changing the height or footprint, or work on a listed building or in a conservation area, may require consent. We advise at the survey stage.
Correct drainage is the single most important factor in flat roof longevity. All our flat roof installations include assessment of falls, outlet positioning and gutter connections before work starts. We correct any drainage deficiencies as part of the installation — a new flat roof laid to inadequate falls will fail early regardless of the material quality.
Every flat roof survey covers: the existing deck condition (whether the existing decking boards are sound or require replacement), the current falls (whether adequate drainage exists or whether tapered insulation is needed to correct the falls), the upstand heights (whether the covering can be taken up to the required minimum height at edges and abutments), and the outlet position and sizing. In East Wittering, where the most wind-exposed peninsula location in the coverage area, we also assess whether coastal UV intensity or harbour moisture exposure affects the system recommendation. A flat roof that drains correctly and has proper upstand details lasts decades longer than one where these fundamentals were not addressed at installation.
GRP fibreglass is applied as a liquid laminate that cures to a rigid seamless surface. We apply two layers of chopped strand mat saturated with resin, followed by the coloured gelcoat finish. The entire surface is seamless — no joints to open, no laps to fail. Upstands are formed to the correct height and radius at all edges. Outlets are GRP-lined. The gelcoat provides UV protection that significantly outlasts felt surface treatment in Chichester's coastal UV environment. Installation requires temperatures above 5°C — we plan flat roof work around weather forecasts to ensure the correct curing conditions.
A standard single-car garage flat roof in GRP typically costs £900 to £1,800 in East Wittering. Rear extension flat roofs up to 25m² cost £1,800 to £4,000. Larger areas of 25 to 60m² run £3,500 to £7,500. These prices include deck inspection, any necessary deck replacement, falls correction where needed, full GRP lamination and gelcoat finish. EPDM rubber costs approximately 10 to 15 per cent less than GRP on the same area with comparable performance over the long term.
Honest pricing from a local Chichester roofer. Call now or request a quote online.
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