Heat rises. It is a law of physics. If your roof is uninsulated or your tiles are slipped, you aren’t just heating your home; you are heating the entire neighborhood.
With energy prices remaining volatile, the roof has become the most critical battlefield for home efficiency. However, the roofing industry is notoriously opaque. It is filled with jargon—flashing kits, eaves trays, breathable membranes—that scares off the average homeowner.
Roofing Superstore (part of the Construction Materials Online group) disrupted this. They took the trade merchant model and put it online, giving DIYers access to professional-grade materials. But buying a pallet of slate is not the same as buying a book from Amazon. Logistics are heavy. Mistakes are expensive.
This guide breaks down how to navigate their inventory, choose the right insulation for your loft, and manage the delivery of heavy goods without a headache.
1. The Insulation Retrofit: Stop Burning Cash
The draft mentioned that “a lot of heat is lost through the top of the house.” Let’s be specific. Around 25% of a home’s heat escapes through the roof.
Roofing Superstore is one of the largest stockists of insulation in the UK, but the choice can be paralyzing. You need to buy the right material for the right gap.
The “Cold Roof” Solution (Loft Rolls)
If you have a standard loft where you store Christmas decorations, you are likely insulating the floor of the loft (the joists).
- The Material: Glass Mineral Wool (brands like Knauf or Superglass).
- The Target: Government recommendations often suggest a depth of 270mm.
- The Strategy: Don’t buy one thick 270mm roll. It won’t fit between the joists. Buy a 100mm base layer to sit between the wooden beams, and then a 170mm top layer to cross-lay over them. Roofing Superstore sells “Combi-Cut” rolls that are pre-perforated to standard joist widths.
The “Warm Roof” Solution (PIR Boards)
If you are converting the loft into a living space, you need rigid foam boards (like Celotex or Kingspan) that fit between the rafters of the roof slope.
- Why it matters: These boards have a higher thermal efficiency per millimeter than wool.
- The Cost: Significantly higher. However, Roofing Superstore often sells “seconds” or B-grade boards in their clearance section. These might have a scuffed foil facing but perform perfectly well thermally.
2. Roof Windows: Velux vs. Fakro
Adding light to a dark attic room adds value. The two titans of this industry are Velux and Fakro. Roofing Superstore stocks both.
Velux (The Market Leader)
- Pros: Massive range of accessories (blinds, poles). Resale value.
- The Hidden Cost: When you buy a window, you must buy a Flashing Kit. This is the metal collar that waterproofs the gap between the window and your tiles. Many first-time buyers forget this. Ensure you select the right flashing for your roof type (e.g., “EDW” for tiles, “EDL” for slate).
Fakro (The Challenger)
- Pros: Often cheaper. Excellent thermal efficiency (U-values). Their handle is at the bottom (Velux is usually at the top), which makes them better for windows installed high up in the roof.
Pro Tip: If you are replacing an old window, find the data plate. It is a small metal tab located on the top edge of the open sash. Type that code into Roofing Superstore’s search bar. It will tell you exactly which modern window is the direct size replacement, saving you from re-plastering the internal wall.
3. The Flat Roof Revolution: EPDM Rubber
Historically, flat roofs (garages, extensions) were covered in felt. Felt cracks. Felt leaks.
Roofing Superstore has heavily pushed the EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) revolution. This is essentially a giant rubber sheet.
- Why buy it? It is glued down cold. No blowtorches. No fire risk. This makes it the only viable option for a DIYer fixing a shed or garage roof.
- The Kits: They sell “shed kits” that come with the rubber cut to size, the water-based adhesive, and the trim. If you can lay a tablecloth, you can lay EPDM.
4. Delivery and Logistics: The Heavy Truth
This is where the user experience differs from standard ecommerce.
- Kerbside Delivery: If you order heavy tiles, slate, or insulation, it will arrive on a pallet via a large lorry. The driver is not insured to carry it into your house or backyard. They will drop it at the kerb. You need to be home, and you need to be physically able to move the goods.
- Split Shipments: Roofing Superstore operates a “drop-ship” model. They don’t hold all stock in one warehouse. If you order Velux windows, lead flashing, and insulation, they might arrive in three different vans on three different days.
- The Golden Rule: Never book your roofer until the materials are physically at your house. Lead times are estimates, not guarantees. Paying a builder a “wasted day” fee because the tiles haven’t arrived is a rookie error.
5. Trade Accounts and Pricing
You don’t need to be a registered limited company to get value, but it helps to think like a trader.
- Bulk Discounts: The site automatically scales pricing on consumables. Buying 10 tubes of sealant is cheaper per unit than buying one.
- Clearance Section: Roof tiles are heavy and expensive to store. When a line is discontinued, they clear it aggressively. Check the “Clearance” tab for guttering and vents.
- Newsletter: Sign up. They frequently run “Flash Sales” on specific categories, such as “10% off all Roof Windows” or “Free Delivery on Insulation.”
6. Seasonal Maintenance: When to Buy?
Roofing is a seasonal trade. Prices and availability fluctuate with the weather.
- Spring (March/April): The peak season for “Guttering and Fascias.” After winter storms, everyone realizes their gutters are leaking. Stock levels can dip.
- Summer: Peak season for major re-roofing projects. Lead times on slate and clay tiles extend.
- Autumn: The best time to buy insulation. Prepare for winter before the temperature drops.
7. Pros and Cons: An Honest Assessment
| Feature | The Good | The Bad |
|---|---|---|
| Inventory | 40,000+ products. From obscure slate vents to standard lead flashing. | Overwhelming choice. You need to know what you are looking for. |
| Price | Competitive. Often cheaper than local builders’ merchants for non-trade customers. | Delivery charges can stack up if items come from different suppliers. |
| Information | Excellent “Help & Advice” section with installation guides. | Returns on heavy items are expensive. You often have to pay the restocking and courier fee. |
| Brands | Official stockist for Velux, Tyvek, and Marley. | Lead times can drift. “3-5 days” can turn into 7 if the manufacturer is delayed. |
8. Summary
Roofing Superstore is a powerful tool for the ambitious homeowner. It bridges the gap between the professional merchant and the DIY enthusiast.
If you are just fixing a few slipped tiles, the delivery charge might make it expensive compared to a local yard. But for larger projects—insulating a loft, replacing a skylight, or re-covering a garage roof with rubber—it offers transparency, variety, and professional-grade materials that you simply cannot find in a standard DIY shed.
Next Step: Go into your loft. Measure the depth of your current insulation. If it is sitting at or below the floor joists (100mm), you are losing money every hour the heating is on. Order a pallet of 170mm top-up rolls and spend a Saturday laying it down. The payback period on your energy bill will be less than two years.