A single garage in Askam-in-Furness had a badly deteriorated pour-and-roll felt roof that was letting water in across its entire surface. Our felt roofing team replaced the decking and installed a high-performance torch-on felt system, delivering a budget-friendly solution with a 15-year guarantee that suits this practical outbuilding perfectly.
This single garage on a residential street in Askam-in-Furness had a traditional pour-and-roll bituminous felt roof that was approximately 20 years old and had reached the end of its life. The felt had cracked across multiple areas, particularly at the front edge where UV exposure was greatest and at the overlaps between the three original felt strips where the bitumen bond had failed. Moss growth across the entire surface was holding moisture against the felt, accelerating its decomposition. The roof had virtually no fall — water sat in shallow puddles across most of the surface after rain, and the constant moisture had caused the chipboard decking beneath to swell and develop soft spots. The homeowner used the garage for vehicle storage and had been finding water dripping onto the car bonnet during heavy rain, causing concern about paint damage. Several tools stored in the garage had also developed rust from the persistent damp atmosphere.
We stripped all existing felt and the water-damaged chipboard decking, exposing sound joists beneath. The joists were treated with a preservative spray as a precaution. New 18mm OSB3 boarding was installed with tapered firring pieces to create a consistent fall from back to front — addressing the fundamental drainage problem that had contributed to the previous roof's failure. We then applied a two-layer torch-on felt system: a polyester-reinforced vapour barrier base sheet was laid first, followed by a mineral-finished SBS-modified bitumen cap sheet torched directly onto the base. The SBS (Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene) modifier gives the felt permanent flexibility that prevents cracking in cold weather — a significant upgrade over the rigid oxidised bitumen in the original pour-and-roll system. The felt was dressed over GRP drip trims at the front edge and over timber angle fillets at the back and side verges. A new section of guttering was fitted at the front edge to direct water to the existing downpipe.
The garage now has a clean, professional-looking torch-on felt roof with proper falls that drain water efficiently to the front gutter. The mineral surface finish provides excellent UV protection and discourages moss growth — the two factors that destroyed the previous covering. The garage interior is completely dry, the damp atmosphere has cleared, and the homeowner can store vehicles and tools without concern. The total project cost was significantly less than a GRP or EPDM alternative, making torch-on felt the ideal choice for a garage where budget is a consideration. We provided a 15-year guarantee on all felt roofing work.
The top layer of this felt roofing system is a premium SBS-modified bitumen cap sheet with a mineral granule surface finish. SBS (Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene) is a rubber polymer blended into the bitumen during manufacture, giving the felt permanent flexibility that prevents cold-weather cracking — the primary failure mode of traditional oxidised bitumen felts. The mineral surface provides excellent UV resistance and fire rating, and its rough texture discourages moss colonisation. This product carries a BBA certificate confirming a minimum 20-year service life.
The base layer uses a non-woven polyester carrier that provides high tensile strength and puncture resistance. This reinforcement prevents the tearing that occurs with traditional hessian-based felts and allows the felt to accommodate minor structural movement without splitting. The base sheet also functions as a vapour control layer, reducing moisture transmission from the garage interior into the roof structure.
OSB3 (moisture-resistant grade) was chosen over chipboard for its superior strength and dimensional stability in damp conditions. The oriented strand construction provides consistent properties in all directions, and the phenolic resin binder resists moisture penetration. This specification ensures the felt substrate will remain flat and stable for the life of the roof covering.
Pre-formed GRP trims at the front roof edge create a clean drip detail that directs water cleanly into the gutter below. The trim is mechanically fixed to the deck edge and the felt is dressed over it and bonded with heat, creating a seamless termination that will not lift or separate.
Whether it's a garage, shed, porch, or extension, our felt roofing team in Askam-in-Furness delivers reliable, cost-effective flat roof solutions. We also offer GRP fibreglass and EPDM rubber systems. Serving Dalton, Barrow and all surrounding areas. Contact us today.
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