Roof Strip and Relay in Cardiff & Across Wales
Wales Roofing and Guttering provides professional roof strip and relay services across Cardiff and South Wales. We remove the existing covering, fit new breathable felt and treated battens, and relay your tiles or slates — a full roof overhaul without the expense of entirely new materials.
TRUSTED BY 100s OF HOMEOWNERS ACROSS WALES
TRUSTED BY 100s OF HOMEOWNERS ACROSS WALES
What We Do
What Is a Roof
Strip and Relay?
What Is a Roof Strip and Relay?
A roof strip and relay is one of the most effective ways to extend the life of a pitched roof. The principle is not complicated: we strip back the tiles or slates, remove the old felt and battens, then install a modern breathable membrane and new treated timber battens before relaying the original covering.
Most older properties in Cardiff, Newport, and across South Wales were roofed with bituminous felt that has a limited working life. Over the years, it turns brittle, cracks along the battens, and eventually lets water through — even when the tiles sitting above it are still perfectly sound. A strip and relay tackles the root cause without replacing materials that have decades of service left.
If your tiles or slates are in reasonable condition, there is little sense paying for brand-new ones. You keep what still works, swap out what has failed, and the result is a roof that performs as well as it did when first built — often better, because modern membranes outperform the old felt by a considerable margin.
Our Strip and Relay Process
Every strip and relay follows the same broad sequence, though the specifics vary depending on the property and its condition. Below is what you can expect when we carry out this work on your home.
Tile Removal & Inspection
We carefully strip the existing tiles or slates and stack them on the scaffold. Each one is checked for cracks or damage. We also inspect the timber rafters for rot or woodworm — more common in older Welsh properties than many owners expect.
Breathable Membrane & New Battens
We fit modern breathable roofing membrane across the full area, then fix new pressure-treated softwood battens at the correct gauge for your tile type. Eaves guard trays are fitted along the bottom edge to direct run-off into the guttering.
Tile or Slate Relay
With everything renewed beneath, we relay the original tiles or slates from the eaves upward. Where specified, we fit a dry ridge or dry verge system using mechanical fixings — far more durable than traditional sand-and-cement in the Welsh climate.
Compliance
Building Regulations
& Compliance
Building Regulations & Compliance
If more than 25% of the roof covering is stripped and relaid, the work falls under Part L of the Building Regulations and needs to be notified to your local authority. That is something we handle on your behalf — it is part of the service, not an added extra.
All of our strip and relay work complies with current Welsh building standards, and we arrange building control sign-off where it is required. If insulation upgrades are needed to meet thermal performance requirements, we will flag that during the initial survey so there are no surprises once the job is underway.
Experience
15+
Years of Experience
Quality
100%
Breathable Membrane Fitted
Clients
100s
Happy Homeowners
Certified
100%
Licensed & Insured
Areas We Cover
Strip and Relay
Across Cardiff & South Wales
Strip and Relay Across Cardiff & South Wales
We carry out roof strip and relay work throughout Cardiff, Penarth, Barry, Caerphilly, Bridgend, Swansea, Newport, Pontypridd, Merthyr Tydfil, and the wider South Wales region. The Welsh weather — persistent rain, strong coastal winds, and wide temperature shifts between seasons — puts particular demands on a roof, and it shapes the products we choose to use. We fit membranes rated for high-exposure conditions and battens treated to resist the kind of damp that is simply a fact of life in this part of the country.
Whether it is a Victorian terrace in Splott, a 1930s semi in Penarth, or a rural farmhouse near Bridgend, the approach stays the same. Strip it properly. Inspect everything underneath. Fit the right materials. Relay to a standard that will hold up for decades. That is the job, and it does not change regardless of postcode.
Most of our work comes through word of mouth and repeat customers, which tells us we are doing something right. We turn up when we say we will, we keep the site tidy, and we do not disappear before every last detail has been dealt with.
Areas We Cover
Cardiff
Merthyr Tydfil
Newport
Swansea
Carmarthen
Bridgend
Port Talbot
Porthcawl
Llanelli
Ammanford
Burry Port
Gorsenion
Pyle
Pencoed
Cowbridge
Barry
St. Mellons
Caerphilly
Pontypridd
Porth
Tonypandy
Blackwood
Pontypool
Cembran
Caerleon
Risca
Rogerstone
Abertillery
Brynmawr
Ebbw Vale
Tredgar
Rhymney
Aberdare
And All Surrounding Areas
Areas We Cover
Cardiff
Merthyr Tydfil
Newport
Swansea
Carmarthen
Bridgend
Port Talbot
Porthcawl
Llanelli
Ammanford
Burry Port
Gorsenion
Pyle
Pencoed
Cowbridge
Barry
St. Mellons
Caerphilly
Pontypridd
Porth
Tonypandy
Blackwood
Pontypool
Cembran
Caerleon
Risca
Rogerstone
Abertillery
Brynmawr
Ebbw Vale
Tredgar
Rhymney
Aberdare
And All Surrounding Areas
Why Choose Us
Why Choose Wales
Roofing & Guttering
Why Choose Wales
Roofing & Guttering
Choosing a roofing contractor for a strip and relay is not something most people do regularly, so it helps to know what separates a solid job from a poor one. Here is what we bring to the table.
No Subcontractors
We do not farm work out. The team that arrives at your property is employed by us directly, and they answer to us. If a question comes up on site, you speak to the people doing the work — not someone relaying messages from an office.
Materials Built for Welsh Weather
We source breathable membranes and treated battens from established suppliers. Cheaper alternatives might shave a few pounds off the quote, but they rarely last in a Welsh climate. We would rather fit a product once and not come back to fix it two years on.
Transparent From Start to Finish
If we find anything unexpected once the roof is stripped — rotten timbers, damaged rafters, anything that was not visible during the initial survey — we explain the options and agree a way forward before carrying on. Every job is documented with photos so you can see exactly what was done and why.
No Subcontractors
We do not farm work out. The team that arrives at your property is employed by us directly, and they answer to us. If a question comes up on site, you speak to the people doing the work — not someone relaying messages from an office.
Materials Built for Welsh Weather
We source breathable membranes and treated battens from established suppliers. Cheaper alternatives might shave a few pounds off the quote, but they rarely last in a Welsh climate. We would rather fit a product once and not come back to fix it two years on.
Transparent From Start to Finish
If we find anything unexpected once the roof is stripped — rotten timbers, damaged rafters, anything that was not visible during the initial survey — we explain the options and agree a way forward before carrying on. Every job is documented with photos so you can see exactly what was done and why.
Book a Free Roof Survey
And Receive a No-Obligation Quote
Frequently Asked Questions
Roof Strip and Relay
Common Questions
Strip and Relay — Common Questions
We get asked these questions regularly. If yours is not covered here, give us a call or fill in the contact form and we will get back to you.
What is the difference between a strip and relay and a full roof replacement?
A strip and relay reuses your existing tiles or slates. We remove them, replace the felt and battens underneath, then put the originals back. A full replacement involves fitting entirely new tiles or slates as well. If your current covering is in good condition, a strip and relay is usually the more cost-effective option — you can save up to 30–35% compared to a full replacement.
How long does a roof strip and relay take?
For a typical semi-detached house, allow around 3–5 working days depending on weather conditions and the size of the roof. Larger detached properties or those with complex roof shapes may take a little longer. We will give you a realistic timeframe during the survey.
How much does a strip and relay cost in Cardiff?
Every roof is different, so we do not publish fixed prices. The cost depends on roof size, pitch, access requirements, and whether any timber repairs are needed. We provide a free, no-obligation quote after surveying your property. As a general guide, stripping and relaying is noticeably cheaper than a full roof replacement because you are not paying for new tiles or slates.
Do I need building regulations approval for a strip and relay?
If more than 25% of the roof area is being stripped and recovered, the work must be notified to your local authority under Part L of the Building Regulations. We take care of this on your behalf as part of the project.
Will the work be weather-dependent?
Yes, to a degree. We cannot strip a roof in heavy rain or high winds for obvious safety reasons. However, we plan the work around the forecast and, where necessary, use temporary coverings to protect the exposed roof overnight. We will never leave your property exposed and unprotected.
What areas do you cover for strip and relay work?
We are based in Cardiff and cover the whole of South Wales, including Newport, Swansea, Bridgend, the Vale of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, Penarth, Barry, Caerphilly, and Merthyr Tydfil. For properties further afield, get in touch and we will let you know.
Ready to get your roof strip and relay booked in?
From terraced houses in Cardiff to rural properties across the Vale of Glamorgan, we bring the same standards and attention to detail to every strip and relay. It is the work beneath the tiles that determines how a roof performs five or ten years down the line — and that is precisely where our focus sits.
Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote, or fill in the contact form and we will get back to you promptly.
