Roofing detail, hideous?

[Zebra]

I've had the flat roof replaced on the front of my house today. It's now done in fibreglass.
The flat roof itself can't be seen from the street, however, there's a detail they've done which I'm not sure about and would welcome any alternative suggestions.
On the front of the chimney, there is a part where the chimney widens, and a sloping section of brickwork on the front of the chimney (what is that called?). The builder instructed the roofers to board over it and do the fibreglass right up to the top of the sloping section. I questioned whether this was the right thing, he said let them do it, and if you don't like it we'll cut it off and put some lead flashing over the cut off upstand instead. Fair enough, I said. So here it is, viewed from on the scaffolding at the front of the house:
View attachment 1
Yes OK, it's hideous. It's watertight, but not breathable. What would be a better solution? Should I leave it or cut it off and put a bit of lead flashing over the cut off upstand? What other options do I have for the sloping section of brickwork? Render it? Lime render's not good on a slope. Tile it? Then I'd have to batten and counter batten, raising the height.
You can see in this picture what the brickwork looked like before the roof went on:

 

[Pford75]

I can't quite see how the sloping piece is meeting the brickwork.

Honestly, I would have done the whole roof in lead, not fibreglass.

But, assuming there is a fall away from the chimney, you might get away with removing the slope and then flashing with lead into the mortar between layers of brickwork. The challenge will be how to bond the 'bottom' of the leadwork to the fibreglass so that water can't run back under.

If the fibreglass is already cut into the brickwork, then you might as well leave it.

 

[Zebra]

Actually, you know what, it's awful, and it's definately coming off, as soon as the roof is dry and I can get up there.
So, what is the alternative?
Here's a close-up.

 

[Zebra]

I can't quite see how the sloping piece is meeting the brickwork.

Honestly, I would have done the whole roof in lead, not fibreglass.

But, assuming there is a fall away from the chimney, you might get away with removing the slope and then flashing with lead into the mortar between layers of brickwork. The challenge will be how to bond the 'bottom' of the leadwork to the fibreglass so that water can't run back under.

If the fibreglass is already cut into the brickwork, then you might as well leave it.

Thanks for your reply Pford. The roof is about 25 sq m, so not cheap to do in lead, I honestly didn't consider that.
There is a fall away from the chimney, the whole roof falls away to the front. I think that is what I will do. I will seal between the lead and the fibreglass with a polyurethane sealant, the stuff which I have used to seal the drip beads to the lead, where that detail exists.
The fibreglass isn't cut into the brickwork, thankfully, it's just siliconed on, but the chimney is all my own pointing anyway, so I'd not be worried about taking it out if it were. Thanks for your view.
But what to do with the slope? Render? Tile? Nothing?

 

[LadyArowana]

Don't know if it happens where you are, but I have a friend who had a significant quantity of lead stolen from the roof of her garage. After they replaced it they thought that the thieves would likely be back and used some sort of special paint. I'm afraid I can't remember what was special about it, but it was designed to deter barstewards that steal such things. If you do decide to put lead over the top it might be worth finding out if it's something worthwhile.

 

[JoceAndChris]

It would look better if that sticky up bit was returned to being bare brick, but I don't know if that would function well.

 

[eezageeza]

You're right, that's hideous! Can replace it with a mirror image of the arrangement you appear to have on the other side - looks like roof tiles over built up render?

 

[Flyfisher]

We had an extension built on a previous (1950s) house with a very similar chimney arrangement. The sloping sections were tiled to match the roof and it looked fine.

I take your point about the cost of doing the entire roof in lead and I'd also share LadyA's concern about it disappearing one day, especially being single storey so relatively accessible. I'm sure the money could be better spent elsewhere.

Is it really necessary to remove that sloping bit of fibreglass roof though? Why not just cover it with lead? I agree with Pford's point about having to ensure that water is not blown back up underneath the lead if the fibreglass slope is removed, but I can't imagine that mattering if the existing slope is retained. Any wind capable of blowing water that high would probably remove the roof anyway!

I suppose it could be partly cut back to leave a lip/upstand but that would introduce a 'kink' to the leadwork and might also look odd.

Another possibility might be to paint it to look like lead. From the ground view, you might just get away with it. It would certainly be easy to try and if you didn't like it you'd be no worse off, except for a can of grey paint.

 

[Zebra]

You're right, that's hideous! Can replace it with a mirror image of the arrangement you appear to have on the other side - looks like roof tiles over built up render?

Yes, you're quite right, it is! The rear has timber rafters, always did, although I've replaced the timbers. There is a considerable void between the "shoulder" of the chimney and the roof on the rear.
On the front, however, there used to be, some time in the last century, roof tiles stuck on with cement. The remainder of those can be seen under the flat roof. When I bought the house there was simply a cement render on the front of the "shoulder" of the chimney, same as there was on just about every surface of the house. I do like the idea of tiling it though, and will perhaps speak to my other roofer, the one who's done all the tiling.
Flyfisher I think it may be too hideous even for paint. However, I shall use your suggestion as a call to restraint, and shall desist from cutting it off just as soon as the roof is dry - at least until there is another plan!

 

[angrybird]

You're right, that's hideous! Can replace it with a mirror image of the arrangement you appear to have on the other side - looks like roof tiles over built up render?

Yes, you're quite right, it is! The rear has timber rafters, always did, although I've replaced the timbers. There is a considerable void between the "shoulder" of the chimney and the roof on the rear.
On the front, however, there used to be, some time in the last century, roof tiles stuck on with cement. The remainder of those can be seen under the flat roof. When I bought the house there was simply a cement render on the front of the "shoulder" of the chimney, same as there was on just about every surface of the house. I do like the idea of tiling it though, and will perhaps speak to my other roofer, the one who's done all the tiling.
Flyfisher I think it may be too hideous even for paint. However, I shall use your suggestion as a call to restraint, and shall desist from cutting it off just as soon as the roof is dry - at least until there is another plan!

I think its to soon to panic!! I like your idea of tiling over it.Im sure the flat roof wont look so bright once it gets some dirt and grime on it
I'll send Mr Angry over he has a nack of getting everywhere covered in muck and sawdust :lol:

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Echoing Joce's question, would it really matter if the shoulder was left as brick?

 

[robgil]

The bare brick functioned just as well before being coated in fiberglass, if pointed properly to allow run off I am pretty sure it would function just as well again, I would have used lead flashing on there and met the flat roof with it rather than doing that.

 

[Flyfisher]

I think its to soon to panic!!

I think that's the most important point here. It might not look nice as it stands, but there are plenty of options to consider and perhaps try before cutting it all off - though I freely admit my paint suggestion would be way down the list. However, it might be useful as a cheap and easy way of testing what that expanse of leadwork might look like.

I think my favoured solution would be to cover it with roof tiles. Should be fairly easy to secure some battens with long fixings and matching tiles could then be fixed to the other slope as well.

But certainly no need to panic. Tea, kitkats and time to ponder are ideal for such situations.

 

[Zebra]

No, I don't suppose it would matter FW, yes robgil, I think you're right, that would work if pointed as you say. The horizontal surfaces on the brick go a bit green, but if pointed to allow run off that would work, and would look a lot more natural.
I suppose it was a decision I just hadn't made yet, one I was putting off, until this morning the builder saying "we'll do it like this" has forced me to think about it. Fibreglassing the whole sloping section certainly wasn't an option I would have chosen. I so hate being forced into a decision on the spot like that, and I only went along with it because he said I could cut it off if I don't like it.
But now I shall have to make a decision before the wall gets rendered, which I hope will be soon.
Hmm, kit-kats, yes, but they may not keep my hands off the angle grinder!

 

[angrybird]

Actually, you know what, it's awful, and it's definately coming off, as soon as the roof is dry and I can get up there.
So, what is the alternative?
Here's a close-up.

was this the look you gave when you first saw it ? :lol: (only joking x)

 

[billybuntus]

You should of had an EPDM roof put down. Would have looked much more toned down.

Not to worry though. I wouldn't remove that ugly section? Its waterproof? I'd simply lead it so its aesthetically pleasing.

Granted its not the perfect result but obviously its not a money is no object situation and the finish looks of a high standard even though it doesn't look like its from beamish.

Edit* Just edited my post as I appear to have been blind drunk when I wrote it.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Actually, you know what, it's awful, and it's definately coming off, as soon as the roof is dry and I can get up there.
So, what is the alternative?
Here's a close-up.

was this the look you gave when you first saw it ? :lol: (only joking x)

That's clearly not our Zebra. Her stripes are quite different. :wink:

 

[Roger H]

If you aren't content with the impact of the rest of the flat roof, maybe lead-roll effect could be applied retropsctively?

 

[Zebra]

What is lead-roll effect?

 

[Zebra]

Edit* Just edited my post as I appear to have been blind drunk when I wrote it.

Ha ha! I had wondered what you were on about, but didn't like to say!......