This is the question Sean gets asked constantly across Dublin — and the honest answer is that it goes both ways. Some homeowners who think they need a full replacement actually need a thorough repair carried out properly. And some who've been told a repair will do are throwing money at a roof that has genuinely reached the end of its life.
Repair is almost always the right option when:
Full replacement is the right call when:
When Sean surveys a Dublin roof, he'll tell you which category it falls into. If repair is the better option financially and practically, that's what he'll recommend — even if the replacement job would be worth more to the business.
No jargon. No hard sell. Just a clear process from your first call to a weatherproof roof.
The premium option and the material of choice for Dublin's older period properties. Natural slate — correctly fixed — will last 80 to 100 years. It's heavier than tile and requires a sound timber structure, but on the right roof it's unmatched for longevity and appearance. We source and match like-for-like on replacement jobs where the existing slate is being retained in part.
The most common roofing material across Dublin's suburban housing stock. Concrete tiles are durable, widely available, and cost-effective. Clay tiles are a step up in quality and appearance, with better colour retention over time. Both are suitable for the pitched roof profiles common across most of Dublin's semi-detached and detached properties.
A practical mid-range option that bridges the gap between natural slate and concrete tile. Modern composite slate products have improved significantly and perform well in Irish conditions. Lighter than natural slate, which makes them suited to roofs where the timber structure may not support the full weight of natural stone.
For extensions, garage roofs, and commercial properties, we install EPDM rubber, fibreglass (GRP), and torch-on felt systems. Each has different cost and longevity profiles — we'll advise on the right system for your situation.
Real Results From Home-Owners in Dublin!
Full Strip-Out We remove everything — existing slates or tiles, old felt, battens, and any damaged timbers. Nothing is papered over or left underneath new material to cause problems later.
Timber Inspection & Repairs Once the roof is stripped, the full timber structure is visible. We inspect every rafter, purlin, and ridge board. Any deterioration or rot is identified and replaced before a single slate goes back on.
New Breathable Membrane (Felt) Modern breathable underlay is fitted across the full roof deck. This replaces old-style impermeable felt and properly manages moisture from inside the home — an important detail on Dublin's older housing stock where ventilation has historically been poor.
New Battens Treated timber battens are fixed across the full roof in preparation for the new covering. Spacing is set accurately for the specific slate or tile being used.
New Roof Covering Slates or tiles are fixed to a high standard using the correct fixings for Irish conditions — stainless steel where appropriate, which matters for coastal Dublin properties in areas like Howth, Clontarf, and Dún Laoghaire where standard fixings corrode prematurely.
Ridge, Hip & Valley Work All ridge tiles are bedded and pointed, hips are finished, and valleys are leaded properly. This is where a lot of roofers cut corners — and where leaks come back within a few years.
Chimney Flashing Lead flashing around all chimney stacks is replaced as part of the job. A new roof with old flashing will leak.
Fascia, Soffit & Gutter Check We inspect fascia boards, soffits, and guttering as part of the replacement. If they need attention, we'll flag it and quote separately — not hide the cost in the roof price.
Full Site Clean-Up All old roofing material, debris, and packaging is cleared from the site. We leave your property as we found it.
DJ Roofing Dublin carries out full roof replacements throughout Dublin City and County. North, south, west, and city centre — if you're in Dublin, we cover you.
North Dublin: Swords, Malahide, Howth, Clontarf, Drumcondra, Glasnevin, Finglas, Blanchardstown, Castleknock, Santry, Raheny, Artane, Baldoyle
South Dublin: Rathfarnham, Terenure, Templeogue, Dundrum, Stillorgan, Blackrock, Dún Laoghaire, Dalkey, Killiney, Churchtown, Rathmines, Ranelagh, Sandymount
West Dublin: Lucan, Clondalkin, Tallaght, Palmerstown, Rathcoole, Newcastle, Saggart, Adamstown
Dublin City Centre: D1, D2, D4, D6, D7, D8, D12
Not sure if we cover your area? Call us — we almost certainly do.
It depends on the size of the roof, the material being used, and the condition of the existing timber structure. A standard semi-detached house in Dublin re-roofed in concrete tile will cost significantly less than a larger detached property re-slated in natural slate. We always provide a full written quote after a free survey — no ballpark figures over the phone that turn into something different on site.
Most standard Dublin semi-detached properties take between 3 and 5 working days to strip and re-roof. Larger or more complex roofs — detached properties, roofs with multiple hips, valleys, or chimney stacks — take longer. We'll give you a realistic timeframe in your written quote.
For most full roof replacements, yes — scaffolding is the safe and correct approach. We factor this into the quote. Any contractor offering a full roof replacement without scaffolding on a two-storey property is cutting corners on safety, which should raise questions about what else they're cutting corners on.
Not necessarily. We'll agree access arrangements with you beforehand. You don't need to be on site, but we'll keep you updated on progress throughout the job.
Every new roof installation comes with a written workmanship guarantee. Materials also carry manufacturer guarantees. We'll explain exactly what's covered when we provide your written quote.
Yes — full strip and disposal is included in the job. Your old slates, tiles, felt, and battens are removed from site. Nothing is left for you to deal with.
If your roof is giving you cause for concern — repeated leaks, visible deterioration, slates on the move — the smartest thing you can do is get it properly assessed before the damage compounds further.
Call DJ Roofing Dublin today for a free, no-obligation roof survey across Dublin City and County. Honest assessment. Full written quote. No pressure, no call-out fee, no sales pitch — just a straight answer from a roofer who knows what he's looking at.
DJ Roofing offers a full range of roofing services for homeowners and landlords throughout Dublin.
DJ Roofing Dublin provides professional roofing services to homeowners and commercial property owners throughout Dublin City and County. Our services include roof repairs, roof replacement, flat roof repairs, chimney repairs, slate roof repairs, fascia and soffit replacement, gutter repairs, skylight repairs, and emergency roofing.
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