Many garages across Lockleaze still carry their original felt roof covering, and as these roofs age, replacing them with EPDM rubber roofing has become one of the most common and sensible upgrades homeowners choose. The answer to whether this switch can be made is a straightforward yes, and it is a job we carry out regularly on garages of all shapes and sizes.
Older felt garage roofs tend to show their age through cracking, blistering and lifting seams, as the material becomes brittle with years of UV exposure and repeated temperature changes. EPDM, being a single flexible rubber sheet, resists this kind of degradation far more effectively, remaining supple and stable across a much wider range of conditions, which is why it generally lasts significantly longer than felt over the life of the roof.
Replacing a felt garage roof with EPDM starts with fully stripping the old covering back rather than laying new material over it. This step matters because it allows a proper look at the timber decking beneath, something that simply is not possible while the old felt remains in place. On a good number of Lockleaze garages, felt that has failed at the seams over the years has allowed moisture to reach the deck gradually, so checking its condition before installing anything new is an essential part of doing the job properly.
Where the existing decking is found to be sound, it typically provides a solid, stable base for the new EPDM membrane. Where sections have deteriorated due to past water ingress, that timber is replaced before installation continues, since fitting a new membrane over compromised decking would only disguise a problem rather than resolve it.
One practical benefit of switching to EPDM on a garage roof is the reduction in seams compared with a layered felt system. Because EPDM is generally supplied in large sheets, many Lockleaze garage roofs can be covered with very few joints, reducing the number of potential weak points that could develop into leaks over time.
Edges, upstands and any junctions where the garage roof meets a house wall, fence or adjoining structure need careful attention during the switch as well, since these areas are common sources of past leaks on older felt roofs and deserve proper detailing when the covering is renewed rather than simply repeating old weaknesses in the new installation.
If you have a felt-covered garage roof in Lockleaze that is ageing, cracking or has needed repeated patching, replacing it with EPDM rubber roofing is generally a worthwhile long-term investment. Brunel Roofing Bristol can assess the existing roof and the deck beneath it, and advise honestly on the best way to carry out the switch for your particular garage.
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