Roof Replacement in Portsmouth
Full strip and re-roof for Portsmouth homes and businesses, from Victorian terraces on Portsea Island to 1930s semis below Portsdown Hill. Free, no-obligation quotes from a family-run roofing company based in Portchester.
- Free, no-obligation quotes
- Full strip and re-roof
- Scaffolding arranged for you
- Fully insured
Re-roofing Portsmouth's terraces, semis and bungalows
A roof replacement is the right call when the problem is no longer one slipped tile or a single leak, but the whole roof wearing out at once. Across Portsmouth we see it most on houses still on their original covering, or on a re-roof from decades ago that has reached the end of its life: tiles turning porous, nails rusting through and old bitumen felt in the loft gone brittle and torn.
Altitude Roofing South Ltd strips the old roof back to the rafters, puts right any timber that needs it, then rebuilds with a breathable membrane, new treated battens and your choice of natural slate, clay or concrete tiles. Ridges, hips, verges, valleys and lead work are all finished properly, so the new roof is weathertight from eaves to ridge.
Our base in Portchester is a short drive from Portsea Island, so we can come and look at the roof, show you what we find with photos and give you a clear, written quote without a long wait.
- Full strip and re-roof
- Timber checks and rafter repairs
- Breathable membrane and new battens
- Ridges, hips, verges and lead work renewed
- Scaffolding arranged for you
- Old roof removed and site left tidy
Signs your roof needs replacing
Most roofs we are asked to look at in Portsmouth can be repaired. These are the signs that a roof has gone past that point.
Repairs keep coming back
If the same roof needs patching every winter, the covering is telling you it has had its time.
Slipped tiles or slates all over
One slipped slate is a repair. Dozens across every slope usually mean the fixings are failing roof-wide.
Brittle or torn felt
Old bitumen felt perishes and sags, so water that gets past the tiles has nothing left to stop it.
Soft or rotten battens
Battens that have been damp for years stop holding their fixings, and the tiles start to move.
Porous or flaking tiles
Tiles that soak up water, crumble at the edges or have lost their surface no longer keep the weather out.
Damp or daylight in the loft
Light showing through, water staining on rafters or damp timbers mean the roof needs more than a patch.
Roof replacement across the city
Portsmouth packs a lot of different roofs into a small island city. Here is what a replacement usually involves in the areas we are asked about most.
Southsea PO4 / PO5
Victorian and Edwardian terraces and villas, many still under natural slate, where a re-slate keeps the character of the street.
Roof replacement SouthseaOld Portsmouth PO1
Older and historic buildings near the harbour, where conservation rules shape the choice of materials.
Fratton & North End PO1 / PO2
Long terraced streets with valley gutters and rear additions, where a full re-roof often takes in the back roof too.
Copnor & Baffins PO3
Inter-war semis on tiles that have reached the end of their life, with perished felt underneath.
Milton & Eastney PO4
Homes towards Langstone Harbour and the seafront, where wind-driven rain makes good underlay and fixings essential.
Cosham & Drayton PO6
1930s semis and bungalows at the foot of Portsdown Hill, with plenty of hip and ridge work in a replacement.
Paulsgrove & Farlington PO6
Post-war houses with concrete tile roofs, where tired tiles and old felt point to a replacement rather than more repairs.
How we replace a roof in Portsmouth
From the first visit to the last tile, this is how a roof replacement with us runs anywhere in Portsmouth.
Inspection and free quote
We look at the roof and the loft, take photos and explain what we find before giving you a clear, written quote.
Scaffold and strip
Scaffolding goes up, then the old covering, battens and felt come off and are taken away responsibly.
Timbers and membrane
Rafters are checked and repaired where needed, then a breathable membrane and new treated battens go on.
New roof and finishes
Slate or tiles are laid, ridges, hips, verges, valleys and lead work are finished neatly, and the site is left clean.
Slate, clay or concrete tiles?
Portsmouth has every kind of roof, so the right covering depends on the house. We will talk you through what suits your property and your budget.
Natural slate
Long-lasting and right for many Victorian and Edwardian houses, fixed to suit the pitch and exposure.
Clay plain tiles
A traditional small-format tile with a warm colour, often chosen for character and period homes.
Concrete tiles
Interlocking concrete tiles are a practical, cost-effective choice for many semis and bungalows.
Re-using your tiles
Where the existing tiles are sound, they can sometimes be stripped and re-laid on new underlay and battens.
What our customers say
Average from 17 reviews on Google
- High standard of work
- On time
- Leaks sorted
- Polite staff
Altitude came recommended and lived up to it: quick to respond, polite and fairly priced. They put right a large shed roof that another company had already had two goes at.
Great from first call to finish. Jordan took the time to explain what was behind the cold spots in the house, kept us updated throughout, and the roof work itself was done to a high standard.
I had water coming in around the chimney and some very expensive quotes elsewhere. Jordan was honest, explained exactly what the repair needed and broke the cost down clearly.
Customer comments are summarised from their Google reviews. Rating correct as of September 2026.
Roof replacement Portsmouth FAQs
Answers to the questions we are asked most about replacing a roof in Portsmouth.
How much does a roof replacement cost in Portsmouth?
There is no fixed price because every roof is different. The size and shape of the roof, the access and scaffolding needed, the covering you choose, the condition of the timbers once the old roof is off, and any chimney or lead work all shape the cost. We inspect first and give you a free, written quote that breaks the work down, so you can see what you are paying for.
How long does a roof replacement take?
A straightforward re-roof on an average Portsmouth house is usually measured in days rather than weeks once the scaffolding is up. Larger or more complex roofs take longer, and the weather has the final say. We give you a realistic timescale with your quote and keep you updated if it changes.
Do I need planning permission to replace my roof in Portsmouth?
Like-for-like re-roofing does not usually need planning permission. Listed buildings and homes in one of Portsmouth's conservation areas, such as parts of Southsea and Old Portsmouth, can be different, and renewing most of a roof can bring Building Regulations into play. We flag anything that could apply before work starts.
Can you replace a slate roof with concrete tiles on a terraced house?
It can be done, but it is not always the best idea. Concrete tiles are much heavier than slate, so a terrace built for slate may need its roof timbers strengthening to take the extra weight, and there is the look of the street to think about. We will talk you through the options honestly before you decide.
Do you replace fascias, soffits and guttering at the same time?
Yes. If the fascias, soffits or gutters are tired, a roof replacement is the ideal time to renew them, because the scaffolding is already up.
Roof replacement in nearby areas
We replace roofs right across Portsmouth and South Hampshire. Find out more about your area, or see every area we cover.
Get a free roof replacement quote in Portsmouth
Request a callback and we will arrange a time to look at your roof, explain what we find and give you a clear, written quote.