Roofing materials cost UK: which roof covering offers the best value?

Choosing a roof covering isn’t simply a matter of finding the lowest price per tile. The material affects how your roof looks, how long it may last, how effectively it sheds rainwater, and whether the existing structure can support it.

Roofing costs extend well beyond the visible covering. Battens, underlay, fixings, insulation, flashings, scaffolding, waste removal, and skilled labour can all have a greater effect on the final quote than the tiles themselves.

This guide compares common roofing material costs in the UK, explains where the money goes, and helps you decide which option offers the best long-term value for your home.

If you’re planning on a complete new roof, read our ultimate guide to roofing for in-depth information.

Roofing material cost comparison

The following prices* are intended for comparison rather than budgeting an entire roof. Delivery charges, trade discounts, wastage, accessories, labour, and VAT treatment can all affect the final figure.

* Prices updated October 2026. Concrete, clay, slate and fibre-cenent tile prices based on Travis Perkins stock. Solar roof tiles based on average across the UK. All other prices from B&Q.

Why the cheapest tile may not produce the cheapest roof

A large interlocking concrete tile may cover around one square metre with 10 or 11 tiles. A much smaller plain tile can require approximately 60. This affects not only the required quantity but also the number of pieces that must be positioned, cut, and fixed.

Roof shape matters as well. Hips, valleys, dormers, rooflights, chimneys, and abutments create additional cutting and detailing. A simple roof covered with a more expensive product can sometimes cost less to install than a complicated roof using a cheaper tile.

Waste should also be included. Tiles and slates must be cut around junctions, and a suitable allowance will be needed for breakages and future repairs.

Concrete and clay roof tiles

Concrete interlocking tiles are durable and good value, with a choice of profiles, colours, and finishes. They’re widely used on suburban semi-detached houses, modern developments, and extensions where they complement the existing street scene.

A concrete tile cost around £2.34 and, with 10.7 tiles per square metre, works out at roughly £25 per square metre before wastage, fittings, and installation.

Plain clay tiles provide a more traditional appearance. They’re commonly used on steep-pitched Victorian and Edwardian homes, cottages, conservation area properties, and new builds designed to look established.

Although the price of an individual clay tile may not seem high, its smaller size means considerably more tiles are required. This increases both the material cost per square metre and the installation time.

Natural and fibre-cement slate

Natural slate, typically sourced from Wales or Spain, provides a distinctive finish that works on period properties and crisp contemporary designs. Good-quality slate can remain serviceable for more than 100 years when it’s correctly installed and maintained.

The higher price reflects more than the slate itself. Sorting, grading, cutting, and fixing natural slate require specialist skill, particularly on heritage roofs.

Fibre-cement slate is lighter and usually less expensive. It provides a consistent, slate-like appearance and can be easier to handle on complex roofs. Slates cost around £3.08 each and require 13.6 slates per square metre, resulting in a supply-only cost of approximately £42 per square metre.

Flat-roof membranes

EPDM – ethylene propylene diene monomer, is a rubber membrane commonly used on domestic flat roofs. It’s often supplied in a single sheet with compatible adhesives, reducing the number of seams across a simple roof.

Modified bitumen is installed as a layered waterproofing system. Its upper mineral cap sheet contains a protective surface that helps resist ultraviolet exposure. Torch-applied products involve an open flame and should only be installed by appropriately trained and insured professionals.

Liquid-applied waterproofing is another option, particularly around awkward shapes and detailed junctions. The product may be based on polyurethane, PMMA, or another reinforced liquid system, so quotations should identify the preparation requirements, number of layers, and warranty.

The membrane price is only one part of the cost of a flat roof. The complete build-up may also require:

• A structural deck
• A vapour control layer
• Insulation and a cover board
• Falls towards outlets
• Edge trims, gutters, and flashings
• Rooflights or lantern details
• Safe access and edge protection

Read our flat roof replacement cost guide for more information.

Metal roofing

Prices for metal roofing vary according to the profile, colour, protective coating, location, and whether extra layers are needed to manage condensation or soften the sound of rain. You may also need a properly designed supporting structure, which needs to be factored into your budget.

Steel is generally the most affordable metal roofing option at around £20 per m². It’s light, quick to install, and well suited to extensions, garages, and outbuildings.

Zinc costs more but offers a smart, contemporary finish. As it weathers, it develops a protective patina that helps disguise small marks. It can also be shaped around dormers, bay windows, and complex roof details. Prices for zinc sheets are around £80.

Copper and aluminium sit at the premium end of the market. Aluminium standing-seam roofing typically costs around £39.02 per m², while copper can cost approximately £320 per m². Copper develops its familiar green finish with age, while aluminium is available in a wide choice of factory colours.

These prices aren’t directly comparable. Sheet prices generally cover only the outer roofing material, while installed rates may include specialist labour and parts of the supporting system. Fixings, trims, flashings, underlay, insulation, ventilation, scaffolding, waste removal, and VAT can all affect the final quotation.

Green roofs, thatch, shingles, and solar tiles

Green roofs are usually planted with sedum or wildflowers, supplied in rolls or modular trays. In addition to adding colour, they can attract wildlife, retain rainwater, and protect the waterproof membrane below. However, they become much heavier when wet, so a structural check may be needed before installation. Prices can be around £49 per m² for rolls or £80 per m² for sedum trays.

Wood shingles and thatch suit traditional and heritage properties, but both require specialist craftsmanship and ongoing care. Because every roof is different, it’s better to obtain a detailed quotation than rely on a standard cost per square metre.

Solar tiles and solar slates form part of the roof covering while generating electricity. They’re less noticeable than conventional solar panels, but considerably more expensive. They tend to make the most financial sense on a new build or when the existing roof is already being replaced. You’ll pay approximately £10,000 for a 1.5kW system, including a battery and installation.

Read our guide to solar roof tiles for more details.

Tom Poppitt at FMB member company Graline Construction Limited explains how to choose between tile, slate, metal or a flat-roof system.

As the main contractor, we normally start with the architect’s design, structural requirements, and the overall project specification. Roof pitch, loading, exposure, planning requirements, appearance, insulation build-up, drainage, budget and expected lifespan all need to be considered before deciding on the most appropriate system.

We also look at how the roof integrates with the rest of the building, including windows, rooflights, parapets, fascias, gutters, walls and other finishes. Natural slate might suit a traditional refurbishment, while standing-seam metal or a high-quality membrane system may work better for a contemporary extension. The important thing is selecting a system that performs correctly as part of the complete building rather than choosing a material in isolation.”

Tom Poppitt, Graline Construction Ltd

Don’t forget the fixing system

Roof coverings only perform properly when the supporting and fixing system is correctly specified.

Pitched roofs may require graded battens, breathable underlay, corrosion-resistant nails, clips, eaves protection, and ventilation components. Ridges and hips are often secured with dry-fix systems, providing mechanical restraint and ventilation without relying entirely on mortar.

Valleys – where two slopes meet, and abutments – where a roof meets a wall or chimney, are frequent leak points. Saving money on these details can lead to costly problems later.

Ask contractors to confirm whether their quotation includes:

• Underlay, battens, fixings, clips, and ventilation
• Ridge, hip, verge, valley, and abutment systems
• Flashings around chimneys, rooflights, and walls
• Scaffolding and temporary weather protection
• Removal and disposal of the existing covering
• Insulation and structural repairs
• Product warranties, workmanship guarantees, and VAT

Can you change to a different roofing material?

Many homeowners consider changing the roofing materials, but any replacement must suit the roof pitch, exposure, structure, fire performance, and local planning permission.

Building regulations approval may be required when structural alterations are made, a large part of the roof is replaced, fire performance changes, or the new covering increases the roof-covering weight by 15% or more. Always check the requirements with building control before ordering materials.

Listed buildings, conservation areas, and properties covered by planning conditions may also have restrictions on materials, colours, and profiles.

Comparing roofing quotes

Give each contractor the same specification and ask for an itemised quotation. It should be clear whether the price includes materials, labour, scaffolding, waste, temporary protection, VAT, and allowances for concealed repairs.

Don’t climb onto the roof to measure or inspect it yourself. The Health and Safety Executive says almost one in five deaths in construction work involves roof work. A competent roofer can safely inspect the covering, structure, drainage, and junctions.

Why choose an FMB member for your roofing project?

FMB members are professionally vetted, and their work is inspected before they join. Choosing an FMB member gives you added reassurance that your roofer has been checked and is committed to meeting recognised standards.

You should still confirm relevant roofing experience, insurance, warranties, and what’s included in the quote. Use Find a Builder to find an FMB member in your area.

Roofing material cost FAQs