Installing a new roof is one of the most significant investments you will make in your home or commercial property. Done right, a new roof protects your building for decades, improves energy efficiency, and adds real value to the property. Munster Gutters has been installing complete new roofs across Cork, Limerick, Kerry, Waterford, Clare, and Tipperary since 2010, and in that time we have built a reputation for quality workmanship, honest advice, and lasting results. We are fully insured with €6.5 million public liability cover, registered with Company Reg 782157 and VAT number 4415315DH, and our work meets all Irish Building Regulations requirements. Every new roof installation begins with a free roof survey and a written quotation — no guesswork, no hidden costs.
Full Roof Replacement
A full roof replacement means removing everything above the wall plate — the old covering, the felt underlay, the battens, and in many cases the existing timbers — and building a complete new roof from the structure upward. This is the correct solution when an existing roof has aged beyond economical repair, when the structure has been compromised by rot or storm damage, or when a homeowner wants to upgrade from an inferior covering to a higher-quality material such as natural slate or clay tiles.
Munster Gutters carries out full roof replacements across all six Munster counties. We assess the existing structure, advise on the most suitable roofing system for your property type and location, and manage the entire project from strip-off to ridge capping. Every full replacement is carried out in compliance with Irish Building Regulations, and our workmanship guarantee covers a minimum of three years, with up to ten years on major installations. If you are unsure whether you need a full replacement or something less extensive, our free survey will give you a clear, honest answer — and if the work turns out to be minor, we will point you toward our roof repairs service instead.
- Complete strip-off and disposal of old roofing materials
- Structural inspection and timber replacement where required
- New felt underlay, timber battens, and chosen roof covering
- Ridge capping, flashing, and valley installation
- Written quotation and workmanship guarantee provided before work begins
- Building Regulations compliance and BER impact considered at design stage
Strip and Re-cover
A strip and re-cover is a full roof replacement where the existing roof structure — the rafters, ridge board, and roof deck — is sound and can be retained. The old covering, felt, and battens are stripped back to bare timber, the structure is inspected and any localised timber issues addressed, and a complete new roofing system is installed on top. This approach is common on Munster homes built between the 1960s and 1990s, where the original concrete tiles or fibre cement slates have reached the end of their serviceable life but the roof timbers remain solid.
Munster Gutters has completed strip and re-cover projects on terraced houses in Limerick city, rural farmhouses in Kerry, and semi-detached homes throughout Cork. We take care of all scaffolding requirements, skip hire, and the responsible disposal of old materials. A strip and re-cover is also the ideal moment to upgrade your roof insulation and ventilation, review your SEAI grant eligibility, and ensure your eaves, fascia board, and soffit are all in good order before the new covering goes on.
New Slate Roof Installation
Natural slate is the premium roofing material for Irish properties, and for good reason. Properly installed on a sound structure with correct felt underlay, timber battens, and appropriate roofing nails and fixings, a natural slate roof will last well over a century. Munster Gutters installs natural slate roofs across the province, sourcing high-quality slates suited to the pitch, exposure, and character of your building. For coastal properties in Kerry and West Cork — where wind-driven rain is a constant challenge — slate selection and fixing specification are particularly important, and our team's local experience makes a genuine difference.
Where budget is a consideration, fibre cement slate offers a durable and attractive alternative to natural slate, with manufacturer warranty backing and a lifespan of fifty years or more when correctly installed. Both natural and fibre cement slates require precise batten gauge calculation, correct head lap, and proper flashing at every abutment, valley, and chimney. Munster Gutters' slaters work to these exacting standards on every project, and all slate roof installations include a written workmanship guarantee.
- Natural slate and fibre cement slate supply and installation
- Correct head lap and batten gauge to suit pitch and exposure
- Hip, valley, and ridge capping to manufacturer specification
- Roof vent integration for adequate sub-tile ventilation
- Manufacturer warranty and Munster Gutters workmanship guarantee
New Tile Roof Installation
Concrete tiles and clay tiles remain popular choices for new roof installations across Munster, offering a wide range of profiles, colours, and price points to suit different property styles and budgets. Concrete tiles are robust, widely available, and carry strong manufacturer warranties. Clay tiles — whether traditional plain tiles or interlocking pantiles — offer a distinctive appearance and exceptional longevity, and are particularly well suited to period properties and new builds seeking a traditional aesthetic.
A new tile roof installation requires a correctly designed roof structure, with rafter sizing and spacing calculated to carry the dead load of the chosen tile. Ridge board, hip, and valley details must all be specified and built to the tile manufacturer's requirements to ensure the warranty remains valid. Munster Gutters installs both concrete and clay tile roofs to Building Regulations standard, with ridge capping, bedded or dry-fix verges, and full flashing at all abutments. We advise homeowners on the BER impact of their tile and insulation choices, and can identify whether SEAI grant funding is available as part of the project.
Flat Roof Installation
Modern flat roofing systems have come a long way from the felt roofs of previous decades. Munster Gutters installs high-performance flat roofs using EPDM rubber and zinc roofing systems — both of which offer excellent lifespan, low maintenance requirements, and strong manufacturer warranty cover. EPDM rubber is particularly suited to domestic extensions, garage roofs, and dormer flat sections, offering a seamless, fully bonded membrane that handles Munster's wet climate extremely well. Zinc roofing is increasingly specified on contemporary new builds and architect-designed extensions in Cork and Limerick, where its clean lines and natural weathering patina are a design feature in their own right.
If you have an existing flat roof that needs attention rather than full replacement, our dedicated flat roofing service covers all flat roof repair and maintenance work. For new flat roof installations, we design the falls and drainage to Irish Building Regulations requirements, integrate roof vents where required, and provide a full written quotation before any work begins. All flat roof installations by Munster Gutters carry both a manufacturer warranty on the roofing membrane and our own workmanship guarantee.
- EPDM rubber flat roofs — seamless, fully bonded, 25+ year lifespan
- Zinc flat and low-pitch roofing for contemporary and period properties
- Correct falls and drainage design to Building Regulations
- Roof deck inspection and replacement where required
- Manufacturer warranty and written workmanship guarantee
Roof Structure and Timbers
The structural integrity of a new roof depends entirely on the quality of the timbers beneath the covering. Before any new roofing material is laid, Munster Gutters carries out a thorough inspection of the existing rafters, ridge board, hip rafters, and any purlins or binders. Timber that shows signs of rot, beetle infestation, or structural inadequacy is replaced with correctly graded C16 or C24 structural timber, treated to resist moisture and insect attack. On new builds and full structural replacements, rafter sizing is calculated to suit the span, pitch, and the dead load of the chosen covering.
Correct structural timberwork is the foundation of every guarantee we offer. A new slate or tile roof installed on inadequate timbers will never perform as it should, regardless of the quality of materials above. Munster Gutters' approach is to get the structure right before anything else goes on, and our free roof survey includes a full assessment of existing timberwork so there are no unexpected structural costs midway through a project.
Felt and Batten Installation
Felt underlay and timber battens sit between the roof structure and the outer covering, and their quality and correct installation are critical to the long-term performance of any new roof. Munster Gutters uses breathable felt underlay on all new slate and tile installations, allowing moisture vapour to escape from the roof space while providing a secondary line of defence against wind-driven rain. The felt is dressed correctly over the eaves to discharge into the gutter, lapped at all joints, and taken up at abutments before the battens and counter-battens are fixed.
Timber battens are sized and fixed to manufacturer and Building Regulations requirements, with batten gauge set precisely to the chosen slate or tile. Roofing nails and fixings are specified for the exposure zone — properties in exposed coastal locations in Kerry or the Clare coast require enhanced fixing specifications to resist wind uplift. Getting felt and batten installation right at this stage protects the entire roof system for decades.
Roof Insulation and Ventilation
A new roof installation is the optimum moment to address insulation and ventilation, and Munster Gutters includes advice on both as standard in every new roof survey. Inadequate insulation is a major driver of heat loss in Irish homes, and upgrading to current Building Regulations standards at the time of re-roofing is far more cost-effective than returning to the job later. Depending on your roof type and construction, insulation options include cold roof insulation at ceiling level, warm roof insulation between and over the rafters, or a combination approach for habitable roof spaces.
Ventilation is equally important. Without adequate sub-tile ventilation — provided by eaves vents, roof vents, and ridge vents — condensation will form in the roof space, leading to timber decay and premature failure of the roofing system. Munster Gutters designs the ventilation strategy for every new roof to meet current Irish Building Regulations, and we will advise you on SEAI grant eligibility for insulation improvements that may be available alongside your new roof installation. Correct insulation also has a direct positive impact on your BER rating, which is increasingly relevant for property sales and rental compliance across Munster.
Chimney and Flashing Installation
Chimneys and roof abutments are among the most common points of water ingress in Irish homes, and getting the flashing right on a new roof installation is essential. Munster Gutters installs lead flashing, stepped flashing, and soakers at all chimney abutments, parapet walls, dormer cheeks, and soil pipe penetrations, with all work carried out to Irish Building Regulations and BS 6915 standards for lead flashings. Chimney stacks are inspected as part of every new roof survey — repointing, flaunching replacement, and pot repositioning are carried out where necessary before the new flashing is dressed in.
At valleys — where two roof slopes meet — we install either cut valley with lead or an appropriate valley trough system to suit the chosen covering, with correct laps and fixings to prevent back-flow in heavy rainfall. Hip ends are capped with ridge capping bedded or mechanically fixed to suit the exposure zone. Every flashing installation by Munster Gutters is covered by our workmanship guarantee, and the cost of all flashing work is included in your written quotation before the project begins.
Rooflight and Velux Installation
Rooflights and Velux windows are increasingly popular on new roof installations across Munster, bringing natural light into loft conversions, stairwells, and habitable roof spaces. Munster Gutters installs rooflights and Velux units as part of new roof projects, cutting the roof opening correctly, installing the manufacturer-specified flashing kit for the chosen tile or slate, and integrating the unit fully into the waterproofing system of the new roof. Correct rooflight flashing is critical — a poorly fitted Velux will leak around the kerb within a season, regardless of how good the surrounding roof is.
We work with all major rooflight manufacturers and can advise on unit sizing, specification, and positioning to meet Building Regulations requirements for light and ventilation in habitable spaces. For properties where an emergency situation arises from a failed rooflight seal or cracked glazing, our emergency roof repairs team can respond quickly across Munster.
New Roof Installation Costs in Cork, Limerick & Munster
Every new roof is quoted individually after a free on-site survey — the price depends on the size and pitch of the roof, the covering you choose, access, and whether the existing structure needs work. As a guide, here are typical ranges across Munster:
| Property Type | Roof Area (m²) | Typical Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Bungalow (Small) | 60-80 m² | €4,500 - €7,000 |
| Semi-Detached House | 80-100 m² | €6,000 - €10,000 |
| Detached House | 100-140 m² | €8,000 - €14,000 |
| Large Detached/Dormer | 140-180 m² | €11,000 - €18,000 |
| Victorian Terrace (Slate) | 70-90 m² | €8,000 - €12,000 |
| Flat Roof Extension | 20-40 m² | €2,000 - €4,500 |
These are indicative ranges only. Your written quotation is fixed before work begins, and we explain exactly what is included — no surprises on the final invoice.
Roofing Materials for Your New Roof
Choosing the right roofing material for your property involves balancing cost, lifespan, appearance, structural capacity, and the local planning context. Munster Gutters works with all of the following materials on new roof installations, and our free survey includes honest, practical advice on which option is best suited to your specific building and budget.
- Natural Slate: The premium Irish roofing material. Exceptional lifespan of 100 years or more when correctly installed. Best suited to traditional and period properties. Available in Irish, Welsh, Spanish, and Brazilian grades.
- Fibre Cement Slate: A cost-effective alternative to natural slate with a lifespan of 50+ years. Carries strong manufacturer warranties and is lighter than natural slate, making it suitable for roofs where rafter sizing is borderline.
- Concrete Tiles: Widely used across Munster. Available in a range of profiles and colours. Good durability and strong manufacturer warranty cover. Heavier than slate, requiring adequate structural support.
- Clay Tiles: A premium tile option with an excellent lifespan and distinctive appearance. Particularly well suited to period and vernacular properties. Available in plain, pan, and interlocking profiles.
- EPDM Rubber: The leading material for modern flat roof installations. Seamless, fully bonded, resistant to UV and temperature extremes. Manufacturer warranty up to 25 years.
- Zinc Roofing: A high-end option for flat and low-pitch roofs on contemporary properties. Durable, low-maintenance, and architecturally distinctive as it weathers to a natural blue-grey patina.
- Felt Underlay: Breathable felt underlay is installed on all new slate and tile roofs as the secondary waterproofing layer beneath the outer covering.
- Timber Battens: Correctly graded and treated battens are fixed to the underlay at the gauge specified for the chosen covering.
- Ridge Capping: Installed at the apex of every pitched roof, available in matching concrete, clay, or natural slate to complement the main covering.
- Roofing Nails and Fixings: Stainless steel or aluminium fixings are specified to suit the material and exposure zone, ensuring the covering remains secure through Munster's worst weather.
Why Choose Munster Gutters for a New Roof
Choosing a roofing contractor for a complete new roof installation is a significant decision. The work will be on your property for decades, and the contractor you choose needs to have the experience, the insurance, the guarantees, and the local knowledge to deliver a result you can rely on. Here is why Munster homeowners and businesses have trusted Munster Gutters since 2010.
- Serving Munster since 2010: Over fifteen years of new roof installations across Cork, Limerick, Kerry, Waterford, Clare, and Tipperary. We know local planning expectations, local weather conditions, and the building stock of this province in a way that a national company simply cannot match.
- €6.5 million public liability insurance: Full public liability cover on every project, giving homeowners and commercial clients complete peace of mind throughout the installation.
- Workmanship guarantee of up to 10 years: All new roof installations carry a minimum three-year workmanship guarantee, with up to ten years on major projects. This is backed in writing before work begins.
- Manufacturer warranties: We install roofing systems from reputable manufacturers and ensure all work is carried out to their installation specifications so that manufacturer warranty cover is fully valid.
- Free roof survey and written quotation: Every new roof project begins with a free, no-obligation survey and a detailed written quotation. You know exactly what work is being done and what it will cost before we start.
- Building Regulations compliance: All new roof installations are designed and built to current Irish Building Regulations, including structural, insulation, ventilation, and fire separation requirements.
- SEAI grant eligibility advice: We advise on SEAI grant opportunities for insulation upgrades that can be combined with a new roof installation to improve your BER rating and reduce the overall cost of the project.
- Council-approved and fully registered: Company Reg 782157, VAT 4415315DH. Trusted by a national bank and consistently awarded five-star reviews by Munster homeowners, including clients such as John Paul FitzGerald.
- CIF Membership and CIRI Registration: Our affiliations with the Construction Industry Federation and the Construction Industry Register Ireland reflect our commitment to professional standards and ongoing compliance.
- Honest, practical advice: If a full new roof is not what your property actually needs, we will tell you. Whether the right solution is a partial repair, a flat roof upgrade, or a complete re-roof, our survey gives you the facts and the options — and we will never oversell the scope of work required.
New Roof Installation FAQs
How much does a new roof cost in Cork and Limerick?
Complete new roof installation in Cork and Limerick typically costs €5,000-€10,000 for standard semi-detached houses, €8,000-€14,000 for detached houses, and €11,000-€18,000 for large properties or dormer bungalows. Victorian and Edwardian properties requiring natural slate installation range €8,000-€15,000 depending on property size. Costs depend primarily on roof size (measured in square meters), material selection (natural slate costs significantly more than concrete tile), structural repair requirements (rotten rafters or deteriorated roof deck add costs), and property accessibility (restricted access increases labor). We provide free on-site assessments with itemized quotations showing exact costs for your specific property.
How long does new roof installation take?
New roof installation typically takes 3-5 days for small bungalows and semi-detached houses, 5-7 days for detached houses, and 7-10 days for large properties or complex roofs with multiple valleys, dormers, or heritage requirements. Weather significantly affects timelines – heavy rain during critical installation phases may extend the schedule by 1-3 days. We build weather contingencies into every project schedule and communicate proactively about any adjustments needed. Most homeowners remain in their properties during installation with weathertight temporary protection maintained each evening.
Should I replace my roof or just repair it?
Roof replacement becomes necessary when damage affects 40%+ of roof area (making repair costs approach replacement costs), your roof has reached end of service life (60-80 years for slate, 40-60 years for tile), you’re experiencing repeated leaks across multiple areas, structural issues are identified requiring comprehensive work, or property surveys identify the roof as a significant concern. Our honest assessments never recommend unnecessary replacement when targeted repairs suffice. During free quotation visits, we assess overall condition and provide clear guidance on the most cost-effective long-term solution for your specific situation.
What's the best roofing material for Irish weather?
For Munster’s Atlantic weather conditions, natural slate provides exceptional longevity (60-80+ years) with minimal maintenance and is essential for heritage properties, concrete tile offers good performance (40-60 years) at more accessible cost points suitable for most modern homes, and modern EPDM or PVC membrane systems excel for flat roof applications (25-30 years) providing completely waterproof protection. Material selection depends on your property type, budget, and planning requirements. Victorian and Edwardian properties require slate for authenticity and conservation compliance, while modern developments suit concrete tile’s cost-effectiveness and weather resistance.
Do I need planning permission for new roof installation?
Most new roof installations replacing existing roofs with identical materials and profiles do not require planning permission under exempted development regulations. However, planning permission is required if you’re changing roof profile or height, changing from slate to tile or vice versa in conservation areas, working on protected structures or listed buildings, or making any alterations to the roof structure visible from public areas in architectural conservation areas. Our experience with Cork City Council and Limerick City & County Council planning departments ensures we advise correctly on your specific situation and can assist with planning applications when required.
Can you match slate on Victorian properties?
Yes, matching slate for Victorian and Edwardian properties in Cork and Limerick is our specialty. We source reclaimed Welsh slate matching original specifications when available, or provide closest-match new slate when reclaimed materials aren’t suitable or available. Our roofers understand subtle differences in slate sizes, thicknesses, and laying patterns used in different Cork neighborhoods and time periods, ensuring authentic restoration maintaining your property’s period character. This expertise is particularly important for properties in Montenotte, Ballintemple, and other Cork conservation areas where authenticity affects property value and planning compliance.
What guarantees do you provide on new roofs?
All new roof installations include comprehensive guarantees: minimum 10-year workmanship warranty covering installation quality and weatherproofing performance, manufacturer warranties on materials (typically 15-25 years for modern roofing membranes, varying for natural slate and concrete tile), written guarantee documentation provided at project completion, and commitment to return promptly to address any workmanship issues at no additional cost during guarantee period. Our guarantee reflects confidence in our roofers’ expertise, the quality materials we specify, and proper installation techniques ensuring long-term performance.
Do you dispose of the old roof materials?
Yes, complete disposal of all old roofing materials is included in our quotations with no additional charges. We remove old slates, tiles, battens, and deteriorated felt or membrane, transporting everything to licensed waste facilities for proper disposal and recycling where possible. Site cleanup includes daily removal of debris preventing accumulation around your property, clearing gutters of installation debris, and final comprehensive cleanup ensuring your property is left clean and ready to enjoy your new roof. Disposal costs are itemized in quotations so you understand exactly what’s included.
Contact Munster Gutters for New Roof Installation
Munster Gutters provides specialised roofing and guttering repair services throughout Cork and Limerick, also serving, Kerry, Clare, Tipperary & Waterford. For comprehensive solutions addressing your property’s specific needs, contact our experienced team through these convenient options, for a full list of our locations served, go here.
Cork: 021-7020328
Limerick: 061-535761
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://munstergutters.ie
Our Cork and Limerick-based specialists are available Monday-Friday (8am-6pm) and Saturday (9am-2pm) with emergency callout services for urgent situations. Contact us today for prompt assessment and professional repairs protecting your property against Cork’s challenging weather conditions.