Single ply roofing
PVC · TPO · EPDM · mechanically fixed, adhered or ballasted
Single ply is a waterproofing membrane laid in one layer, with seams welded by hot air or bonded with tape. It is light, quick to lay on large roofs and, from established makers, carries service life ratings of 25 to 35 years. Published strip-and-replace prices run £90 to £140 per m².
It is the most common new covering on warehouses, retail units, schools and offices with large flat roofs.
Where single ply works best
Large open roofs
Wide rolls and few seams mean fast progress across warehouse and retail roofs.
Lightweight structures
A mechanically fixed membrane adds very little load, useful on older steel decks.
Roofs with solar arrays
Light-coloured PVC and TPO reflect heat, and membranes can be specified to carry frames and walkways.
Less suited to heavy foot traffic
Walkway pads protect routes to plant; roofs used as terraces need a different finish.
Single ply costs and options
| Item | Scope | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Single ply, strip and replace | Membrane, fixings and details on a sound deck | £90 to £140 per m² |
| New insulation | Extra over, usually PIR or mineral wool boards | £20 to £40 per m² |
| 500 m² roof | Worked from the per m² rate, before insulation | £45,000 to £70,000 |
| 2,000 m² roof with insulation | Worked from the per m² rates | £220,000 to £360,000 |
Budget figures read from national price guides and roofers' own published rates in November 2026, shown before VAT. Use them to plan; the contractor's written price is what counts. Work out a budget for your roof.
PVC, TPO and EPDM
PVC
The longest-established single ply in the UK. Seams are hot-air welded into a homogeneous joint, it takes complex details well and comes in a range of colours. Some PVC membranes hold third-party certification for service lives of 35 years.
TPO and FPO
Thermoplastic polyolefin membranes are also hot-air welded, contain no plasticisers and are often chosen where a specifier wants to avoid PVC. They are typically white or light grey and reflect a lot of heat.
EPDM
A synthetic rubber, usually black, laid in very large sheets with taped or bonded seams. It is flexible in cold weather and tolerant of movement. Large EPDM sheets can cover small and medium roofs with almost no site seams.
How it is fixed
Mechanically fixed systems are screwed through the insulation into the deck at the laps, with fixing density set by a wind uplift calculation. Fully adhered systems are glued down, giving a cleaner finish and better performance on some decks. Ballasted systems are held down with gravel or paving and need a structure that can carry the load.
Where our information comes from
- NFRC, BS 6229:2025 update: key points for members (December 2025)
- GOV.UK, Approved Document L: conservation of fuel and power (2021 edition)
- HSE, HSG33 Health and safety in roof work
Prices are typical ranges from published UK contractor price guides and roofing firms' price pages, November 2026.
Thinking about single ply? Get it priced by an approved installer who covers your area.
Get contractor quotesHow the job runs
A typical single ply re-roof.
Survey
A contractor walks the roof where it is safe to, or flies a drone where it is not, takes cores on flat roofs and photographs every defect. You get a written report with a recommendation.
Specification and price
A written scope naming the system, the details at edges, outlets and rooflights, the guarantee and the programme, with a fixed price excluding VAT.
Strip and prepare the deck
Old covering removed in sections, deck checked, vapour control layer laid.
Insulate, fix and weld
Insulation boards, membrane fixed or adhered, seams welded and probed, details formed at every upstand and outlet.
Handover
A final inspection, photographs, the guarantee certificate, building control completion where it applies, and a note of when the next maintenance visit is due.
Single ply questions
How much does single ply roofing cost per m²?
- Published strip-and-replace rates for single ply PVC, TPO or EPDM run £90 to £140 per m², excluding VAT. New insulation adds £20 to £40 per m². Large, simple roofs come in toward the lower end per square metre.
How long does a single ply roof last?
- Typically 25 to 35 years. Some PVC membranes are certified for 35. Makers offer guarantees of 10 to 25 years, some 30, usually needing their approved installer and periodic inspections.
Is single ply better than felt?
- Neither is better everywhere. Single ply is lighter and quicker on large simple roofs; built-up felt is tougher under foot traffic and around plant. Both have long lives when specified and installed properly.
Can single ply go over an existing roof?
- Sometimes, on a separation layer over a dry, sound roof. More often the old covering comes off, or a liquid overlay is used instead. A core survey decides.
What is a single ply membrane?
- A single sheet of waterproofing, typically PVC, TPO or EPDM, joined at the seams by welding or taping. It replaces the several layers of a felt roof with one engineered layer.
Read next
- Commercial flat roofing
All three flat systems compared.
- Commercial roof replacement
What a strip and replace involves.
- How long does a flat roof last?
Lifespans by system.
- Commercial roof cost calculator
Budget for your area.
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