Garage Roofing Materials Guide: Best Roofing Sheets

Garages are a highly desirable feature for many homeowners, whether you’re buying or building from scratch. As well as secure parking, they offer practical storage space, opportunities for renovation into extra living space, and, according to recent AA studies, can even increase your property’s value by up to 5%.

In this article, we take a closer look at the pros and cons of different garage roof materials, along with average installation costs and other roofing options worth considering. All of this should help you choose the best material for your project and budget.

After all, using high‑quality materials is essential, as it helps prevent leaks, reduces maintenance issues and increases the overall lifespan of your garage roof.

• What is a garage roof sheet?
• Best types of garage roofing sheet
• Steel roofing sheets
• Fibre cement roofing sheets
• Bitumen roofing sheets
• Do you need corrugated garage roof sheets?
• Average costs of fitting metal roofing sheets
• Other garage roofing options

Every garage needs a solid, water‑tight roof to keep out the elements and ensure everything inside, from vehicles to tools, stays dry. There are plenty of roofing materials to choose from, whether you’re considering tiles, metal sheeting, bitumen felt, flat roofing or even plastic sheets.

Each of these options comes with its own unique properties, so deciding which material is best for your project can sometimes feel a little tricky.

One of the most popular choices for garage roofing is steel profiled roofing sheets. Galvanised steel panels are typically manufactured from high‑quality materials, offering essential protection against rust and corrosion.

You can learn more about Cladco’s range of roofing sheets and the benefits they offer here. But these aren’t the only options available to homeowners looking for a brand‑new garage roof. Read on to explore some of the best materials for building a durable, long‑lasting roof.

Steel roofing sheets can be manufactured in a wide range of attractive colours, coatings and profiles, making them one of the most versatile garage roofing options for both commercial and domestic buildings.

These sheets are produced from galvanised steel coils, giving them excellent resistance to corrosion and rust, and providing a typical lifespan of more than 30 years in normal environments.

Cladco Profiles Ltd sheets can be supplied in box profile, corrugated, standing seam and tile form profiles, allowing you to customise the appearance of your garage to suit your project.

Installation methods vary depending on the profile:

• Box profile and corrugated sheets are usually fixed directly to purlins with self‑drilling fixings, then made watertight using mastic lapping tape between the overlaps.
• Standing seam sheets, however, are typically installed using an interlocking system, which secures the panels without penetrating the metal surface. This  improves weather resistance while providing a cleaner, modern finish.

Metal sheets come with great advantages, including:

Pros

• Low‑maintenance roofing material
• Highly resistant to corrosion and weathering thanks to the galvanised coating
• Easy to install onto supporting purlins (fix‑through systems for corrugated/box profile; clip‑fixed for standing seam)
• Manufactured to specific lengths to suit your project
• Can often be installed over existing roof materials such as shingles
• Wide choice of colours and coatings available to match your garage design

Cons

• Noisy during heavy rain or hail without additional sound‑dampening material

Fibre cement roofing is a durable composite material that offers excellent protection from the elements, particularly in coastal areas, thanks to its increased resistance to moisture and the damaging effects of salty sea air.

Available in a variety of colours, fibre cement sheets are a popular choice for homeowners looking to create a bespoke garage roof design. Their traditional corrugated profile helps increase water run‑off, contributing to a long service life of up to 60 years. These sheets are also naturally insect‑ and rot‑resistant, making them far tougher and more weather‑resistant than plastic or PVC alternatives.

Fibre cement sheets offer several benefits that other materials may not:

Pros

• Highly weather‑resistant and UV‑resistant
• Strong fire‑resistant properties
• Available as corrugated sheeting or shingles
• Relatively easy to install

Cons

• It can be more expensive per square foot compared to other roofing materials

Bitumen roof sheets have been used on garage roofs for hundreds of years and are well known for being affordable and easy to install. They are a long‑lasting flat‑roof material, typically installed by melting the seams together to create a water‑tight and durable finish.

A flame is used to heat and bond the bitumen sheets to the roof surface, forming a secure seal.

These textured sheets are a common choice for garages and can be purchased in corrugated profiles, flat sheets or shingles. Thanks to their lightweight properties, bitumen sheets can be adapted for a range of applications around the home, including garages and small carports.

Pros

• Seamless installation with melted sheet joins
• High tensile strength, with thicker ply that resists tearing
• Suitable for harsh weather conditions
• Can last 20+ years with regular maintenance

Cons

• Absorbs sunlight and heat, which can increase the temperature inside the garage
• Thicker ply sheets can be more expensive to buy and install
• Water pooling can occur on flat sheets if the roof lacks adequate fall

A professional company should be hired to install this type of roofing material, as the use of an open flame makes the application process dangerous. This will increase installation costs and is important to factor into your project budget.

Plastic garage roofing comes in several types, including GRP (glass‑reinforced plastic), PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and polycarbonate. One of the main advantages of plastic roofing is that it’s lightweight and easy to handle, making it an appealing, cost‑effective option for DIYers.

Plastic sheeting has become increasingly popular due to its ease of installation, which can typically be carried out by anyone with basic DIY experience. Although some plastic roofing materials may have a higher initial cost, the ability to install them yourself helps avoid labour charges from contractors. It’s also worth factoring in delivery costs before placing an order, as plastic roofing can vary in size and weight depending on the sheet type.

Plastic sheets offer a balance of pros and cons:

Pros

• Available in a range of thicknesses
• Easy‑to‑install materials suitable for DIY projects
• PVC variants offer fire‑resistant properties
• Hard‑wearing surface for long‑term use

Cons

• Can be costly depending on the type of plastic chosen
• Some plastics can become brittle in very cold climates
• Not considered an environmentally friendly material

Technically, you don’t have to use corrugated roof sheets for a garage as other profiles, and even flat sheets, can also be suitable. However, there’s a good reason why corrugated sheets remain one of the most popular choices for garage roofing.

Thanks to the wavy design of the corrugated profile, rainwater is guided into the valleys of the sheet. As long as the garage roof panels are installed at a minimum pitch of 10°, water can run off efficiently into gutters or down the edges of the roof and onto the ground.

Corrugated sheets also offer a modern, stylish appearance while remaining practical and low‑maintenance.

When compared to flat sheets or other profiles, water is more likely to build up on the surface. This can cause pooling, which increases the weight placed on the roof structure, potentially leading to sagging or, in extreme cases, collapse.

The average cost of fitting a metal garage roof in the UK typically ranges from £750 to £3,000, depending on the size of the garage, the metal type, and the complexity of the installation. 

It’s always worth checking material prices in advance and comparing them with companies that offer a combined supply‑and‑fit service, as this can sometimes reduce overall costs.

If you're replacing an existing roof, remember to factor in disposal charges for old materials. Some councils offer collection services, but many areas require private skip hire or contractor disposal services. These additional charges can increase the total cost of the project.

If your existing garage roof contains asbestos, this must be removed by a licensed professional. To find out more about asbestos garage roofs, we have written this handy guide, filled with useful information. 

For most single or double garages, the total installation cost often rises to around £2,000, depending on size, location and labour rates. To ensure the best value, it’s recommended to compare multiple quotes and prioritise highly reviewed installers. 

Insulated roof panels are another option worth considering for garage roofing, offering an all‑in‑one solution that provides both structure and insulation. During the buying process, you’ll need to decide whether an additional membrane is required, or whether insulated panels alone will offer the improvements you want in terms of internal temperature and overall comfort.

If you’re exploring alternative roofing materials for your garage, synthetic roof tiles can be a cost‑effective choice. They’re lightweight, easy to maintain and allow individual tiles to be replaced if damaged. This makes them a practical and low‑maintenance option for many homeowners.

A synthetic tile is typically available in a range of colours and thicknesses, allowing you to create a customised roof design for your garage. These roofing panels are also fire‑resistant, as they are effective against heat and non‑flammable, providing a high level of protection for your roof.

Roof shingles are also a suitable alternative to roofing panels and allow individual sections to be replaced easily if they become damaged. Shingles are usually sold in packs, are generally low‑maintenance and are often fire‑rated for added safety. Materials vary widely, from stone‑coated metal to traditional asphalt‑style shingles.

Roofing shingles are easy to replace on a per‑shingle basis and are typically priced at around £30 per m², depending on the size and type of tile. Based on a small garage roof measuring 2.4m x 4.9m, the material cost would be approximately £353.

Garage roofing sheets deserve just as much consideration as the roof on your home. While traditional options such as tiles and felt are commonplace, it’s worth looking at the growing popularity of steel roofing and the benefits of other hard‑wearing materials like bitumen.

Be cautious when opting for cheaper alternatives, such as plastic sheets, and always think about the climate and weather conditions your garage roof will face throughout the year. And although flat roofing can seem like a cost‑saving solution, the long‑term performance of the roofing material is far more important than the initial price.

Choosing the right roofing sheet will ensure a durable, reliable and long‑lasting garage roof that protects both the structure and everything inside it.