​Cladding over an existing asbestos garage roof might seem like a cost-effective and convenient solution to an old leaky roof. However, this approach carries significant risks and potential long-term complications that far outweigh the initial savings.

Asbestos garage roofing sheets contain materials that are not dangerous until they are disturbed, cracked or broken. When this happens they can release microscopic fibres into the air. Inhaling these fibres can lead to severe health issues, including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. The process of installing cladding involves activities like drilling and nailing, which can disturb the asbestos material below, increasing the risk of fibre release. 

Cladding adds extra weight to the existing roof structure. Many asbestos roofs, especially those installed decades ago, were not designed to support this additional load. This can lead to structural issues, including sagging or even collapse in severe cases. Moreover, if moisture becomes trapped between the old roof and the new cladding, it can accelerate the deterioration of both materials, compromising the roof's integrity and leading to costly repairs.

​Covering an asbestos roof with cladding conceals the original material, making it difficult to monitor its condition. Any damage or deterioration of the asbestos-containing materials goes unnoticed, potentially leading to undetected asbestos exposure over time. Regular inspections become challenging, and minor issues can escalate into significant problems without visible warning signs.

​In a Home Report in Scotland, you are legally required to declare the known presence of asbestos in your property - even in a garage roof. This is because it is considered a material that must be disclosed to potential buyers when selling a property. Failing to do so could lead to legal issues. If asbestos is found in the garage roof (even under cladding), it could put off potential buyers, affect the sale price or cause delays as buyers may insist on the removal of the asbestos. Current regulations require that asbestos materials be properly removed by licensed professionals (SEPA licensed). 

Most garage roof experts strongly advise against cladding over asbestos roofs. Instead, the recommended approach is the safe removal and replacement of the asbestos-containing materials by SEPA licensed professionals. This ensures that all health hazards are effectively mitigated, and the new roofing system meets current safety and building standards. Garage Roof Scotland strongly believes that cladding over is a short-term fix that only creates an even bigger problem to solve further down the line.
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Removing an asbestos garage roof does require additional safety precautions and disposal costs, making it slightly more expensive than standard roof removal. As a result, replacing your old asbestos garage roof with a new one will be a bit pricier. However, the overall cost may be more affordable than you expect. Garage Roof Scotland’s advice to customers is simple: if the quote exceeds your budget, it's best to wait until you're financially ready to have the job done properly rather than opting for a cheap substandard solution!

While cladding over an asbestos garage roof might appear to be a quick and economical fix, it introduces significant health and structural risks. The potential for asbestos exposure, structural compromise and even future issues when selling your property makes this approach inadvisable. We believe that investing in the proper removal and replacement of asbestos roofing by qualified garage roofing professionals is ALWAYS the right thing to do. It will ensure the personal safety of everyone living at the property and help preserve your property's value in the long term

If you have an old asbestos garage roof, please get in touch or give us a call on 07932637646. Garage Roof Scotland is an affordable, experienced garage roofing company. Although we are based in Edinburgh we work throughout the whole of Scotland.

In particular, Lidget Compton’s method of using precast concrete panels revolutionised the way people thought about building garages. It offered a cost-effective and efficient solution for those in need of additional storage or a somewhere to park their car. Compton garages quickly gained popularity for its durable and weather-resistant designs. The use of concrete panels not only ensured structural integrity but also provided excellent insulation, protecting vehicles and belongings from the elements. This made Compton garages a trusted name in the industry, with their structures standing the test of time. Compton garages became synonymous with quality and reliability, attracting a loyal customer base seeking sturdy and customisable solutions for their property.

In addition to their commitment to quality, Compton has always prioritised customer satisfaction. The company offers a variety of sizes and designs to meet individual needs, allowing customers to choose the perfect garage or outbuilding for their specific requirements.

Even today, as the demand for efficient and durable structures grows ever more important, Compton remains at the forefront of innovation, adapting to modern design trends and construction methods. They are popular because they offer customers peace of mind and a practical, long-lasting investment for their properties.

However, in order to keep a Compton garage in good shape it is essential the garage roof in kept in good condition. Water leaking from damaged or loose roof panels can quickly cause problems to underlying structures. Unchecked, rotting roof timbers and wooden fascias is a common result as well as mould and damp inside the garage.

Garage Roof Scotland is an expert in repairing or replacing Compton garage roofs. Paul Mclean, the owner, operated as an agent for Lidget Compton for over 25 years and knows everything there is to know about them. He can remove your old garage roof and replace it with a brand new one, usually in just one day. He can also help you choose a brand new Lidget Compton garage and lay the foundations to the exact specification required.
 
If you are looking for a new Lidget Compton garage or need the garage roof replaced on your current one, please get in touch with Paul for a no obligation quote. 

We filmed this short video of beautiful Oban while we were there!

If you live in Scotland and need to replace your garage roof, we would love to hear from you. Please give Garage Roof Scotland a call on 07932637646 or get in touch for a free no-obligation quote.

The COVID-19 lockdown has changed the way we live our lives. Current social distancing rules mean that we can’t meet up with others indoors like we used to. Those of us lucky enough to have a garden will probably spend a lot more time in it this summer. Weather permitting we can use it as a safe place to catch up with friends and family.  However, an old garage that is neglected and leaking can become a bit of an eyesore in our precious outside space. If this is the case you have several options.

This is the quickest and easiest option. A new pent garage roof or apex garage roof, along with new verge boards and facias can give an old garage an instant facelift! A good garage roofing company can usually remove your old roof and replace it with a brand new one in just one day – even if it contains asbestos. At Garage Roof Scotland we also take away all of the old roofing materials. However, the cost for this is slightly higher if there is asbestos present because materials containing asbestos have to be handled in a particular way and disposed of in a sealed container in a specialist centre.

Sometimes an old garage needs more than a new roof and is completely beyond repair. You may also feel that the space it is taking up could be better used for something else. A roofing company like Garage Roof Scotland can quickly and safely completely dismantle and remove an old garage. We would take away all of the garage materials e.g. bricks, concrete, doors, windows etc. making sure to leave your property in pristine condition. 

Of course the other, much more expensive, option is to remove the old garage and replace it with a brand new one. If this is something you would like to do, we can help with that too. We can arrange a site visit and advise you on the best new garage for your property. We can then help you order your new garage and check that your current foundations are suitable. If not, we can lay some new foundations in readiness.
 
 
If you have an old garage that has become a bit of an eyesore and need some help, please get in touch or give us a call on 07932637646. Garage Roof Scotland is an affordable, experienced garage roofing company. Although we are based in Edinburgh we work throughout the whole of Scotland.

If you suspect that your leaking garage roof contains asbestos you may be worried about the cost and hassle of repairing or replacing it. However, this is not an unusual problem as asbestos garage roofs are very common in Scotland. Asbestos was a very popular building material in the 1960s and 1970s and was still used in cement roofing panels right up until the 1990s. Many garages built around this time will have an asbestos roof. An experienced garage roof replacement company such as Garage Roof Scotland is very used to dealing with this type of hazardous material. ​

Perhaps you are considering repairing or cladding over the asbestos garage roof instead of replacing. We understand the temptation of doing this to keep costs down but we would not recommend either of these methods for the following reasons

1. Asbestos is most dangerous when disturbed and an old roof that is repaired will still need regular maintenance to keep it in working order.  Drilling holes or hammering nails releases tiny asbestos fibres into the air. If breathed in these fibres are extremely dangerous to health.
2. Long term a garage roof that is clad may still leak and you will still have the problem of repairing a roof with asbestos panels underneath.
3. An asbestos garage roof will show up on a home report and may put buyers off when you come to sell your house.

The issue with 'Cladding Over' 
In particular, I come across many people who have actually been advised to clad over their existing garage roof. This is very bad advise in my opinion. It is usually suggested by dodgy roofers who don't want to have to worry about the safe removal and disposal of asbestos sheets. Cladding over is a short term fix that only creates an even bigger problem to solve further down the line. It usually leads to the removal and replacement of a double roof which is something I have had to do many times and which costs a lot more money.

We believe that it is much better, in the long run, to do the job properly and remove the roof completely. Although asbestos is very hazardous, the roof can easily be removed if the correct safety precautions are taken. It is best to choose a company that specialises in asbestos removal. They will have the correct equipment to carry out the job safely and will be licensed  by SEPA to dispose of it at a special disposal facility. An asbestos garage roof can usually be removed and replaced within one day. So in a very short space of time, you will be rid of the problem forever.

Unfortunately, the extra safety precautions and the extra cost of disposal do make asbestos garage roofs slightly more expensive to remove. This means the total cost of removing your old garage roof and replacing it with a brand new one will be slightly higher. However, it is still probably not as expensive as you might think. My advice to customers is, if the quote is more expensive than you had originally budgeted for then simply don’t do anything until you are in a position to have the job done properly. 

If you do decide to go ahead, it is worth shopping around and finding a garage roofing company that you feel you can trust. Check out how long they have been in business and look at their website and their customer reviews and testimonials.

If you are thinking about replacing your asbestos garage roof we would love to hear from you. Please give Garage Roof Scotland a call on 07932637646 or get in touch for a free no-obligation quote.

1. Water damage
Water leaking from problems in an old garage roof can quickly cause problems to underlying structures. It can cause roofing timbers and wooden fascia boards to rot. It can also lead to mould and damp problems inside the garage. Leaving these problems to grow unchecked will cost more to fix, when you eventually get round to doing it.
 
2. Asbestos
Many old garage roofs contain asbestos. This is not a problem in well maintained roofs but as soon as old roofing panels start to deteriorate the asbestos contained in the crumbling cement can escape. If breathed in, asbestos fibres can be extremely dangerous to human health. If your garage roof is getting to this stage it is better to get it replaced now rather than taking any chances by leaving it till later.
 
3. Extra space
A dry, sound garage is an extra room in a property. It can be used for many different purposes e.g. gym, home office, storage space etc. A damp garage is not much use for anything and can quickly become an eyesore.
 
4. Adds value
When you come to sell, a well maintained garage will definitely provide kerb appeal as well as add value to your home
 
5. Less stress
A problem taken care of is one less thing to worry about. If you know that your garage roof has old, loose roofing panels it is better to get it sorted out straight away. Otherwise you will have the constant stress of worrying that loose panels or bits of garage roof will fly off during one of the many storms and gales Scotland frequently suffers from. 

If you have an old, leaky garage roof but are worried about the cost of replacing it, get in touch with Garage Roof Scotland or Tel 07932637646. We fit affordable, good quality garage roofs throughout Scotland. We can supply all materials, remove your old garage roof and fit your new one in less than a day. We can also remove and dispose of all your old roofing materials and as we are SEPA licensed we can dispose of asbestos garage roofs safely too. 

Many people believe that flat garage roofs are bad news and never a good idea. However as a garage roof expert most of the problems that I come across are not due to the roof being flat. They are caused by poor workmanship when the roof was installed, sub-standard or very old roofing materials or poor maintenance by the owner of the property. ​

If you have a leaking flat or pent garage roof and are thinking about converting it to a pitched one you should be aware of what is involved. New steel trusses and purlins would need to be built to size, to fit the structure. These would then have to be fitted to the garage before the new fibre cement roofing sheets could be attached. The cost for this to be done would be considerable and could easily double the price of the job. In my opinion in most cases it is just not worth the extra cost, unless you definitely prefer the look that a pitched roof provides.

In fact, most flat garage roofs are not actually flat. They will be built with a slight slope to allow rain water to run off them easily. In addition, being constructed with the right roofing material makes all the difference. If full length galvanised, corrugated steel garage roofing sheets are used, there should be no problems with ‘overlapping’ areas. Areas of overlap can be places, where through time, water eventually penetrates and causes problems. These roof sheets are mounted on rigid galvanised steel rafters. I have been using this type of roofing material on flat garage roofs since 2010 without any problems. In addition, with this type of material most lengths and widths of garage can be covered. For maintenance free convenience, I usually fit them with specially profiled galvanised steel wrap around flashings or PVC angle verge boards.

If you need any help replacing your garage roof, please feel free to get in touch with us at Garage Roof Scotland. We are experts in garage roof repair and replacement and work throughout the whole of Scotland.

Summer is usually the ideal time to give your garage a good check both inside and out. Then if you decide that the garage roof needs repaired or replaced you can take your time and choose the best garage roofing company for the job. You can check out their website and read their customer reviews and testimonials. If it is left until autumn or winter when wet, stormy weather hits and you have a badly leaking garage roof this can force you into making rash decisions just to get the job done quickly. Instead of taking time and doing some proper research you end up with the first garage roofing contractor that answers your call. This can mean much higher prices and poor workmanship.

If your garage has been damaged by the storm Hector, it is also worth remembering that most people can claim for repairs under their home insurance. It is worth contacting your insurance company to check the details of your policy.

If you have a garage roof that needs replaced or repaired, please get in touch. We are experienced garage roofing experts and work throughout Scotland. Give us a call on 07932637646 to find out more or for a no obligation quote.