Removing the Old Roof
Complete removal of the covering, battens, insulation, and damaged structural elements down to the load-bearing part.
Services / Full Roof Replacement
Full Roof Replacement in Riga and Pierīga
Replacing structure, insulation, ventilation, and covering - a full roof rebuild from the ground up when the existing roof has aged or worn out technically. Objective assessment, detailed quote, and a written warranty for the whole system, not just a single layer.
Who it's for
When a Full Replacement Is Needed
Full roof replacement is our most comprehensive service - it's for situations where the existing roof has aged or been damaged not just on the surface, but structurally. It includes inspecting and replacing the load-bearing structure (rafters), the insulation, vapor and wind barriers, the ventilation system, and the outer covering as a single, coordinated process.
This service differs from roof covering replacement in that we replace not just the visible top layer, but the entire system - including the rafters, if they're damaged or not strong enough. Most of our clients here are owners of homes with a 25-40+ year old roof showing visible signs of timber damage, moisture, or insufficient insulation.
A full replacement is also the right solution if you're planning to change the roof configuration at the same time - for example, increasing the pitch, adding an extra row of windows, or adapting the structure to a new thermal requirement. Since the structure gets exposed and rebuilt anyway in these cases, it makes more sense to do everything in one coordinated process rather than coming back to an already-finished roof later for additional changes.
The problem we solve
When a Surface Fix No Longer Helps
Some roof problems can't be solved by changing the covering alone - they're rooted in the structure or the insulation system. In these cases, a new covering over an old structure just postpones the real fix.
Structural Damage
Timber rot, moisture damage, or weakened rafters caused by long-term insufficient ventilation or a defective membrane.
Aged Insulation
Damp, compacted, or insufficient insulation that no longer does its job and needs replacing along with the other layers.
Wanting to Change Configuration
A loft conversion, a change to the roof shape, or an additional row of windows - all of these require access to the full structure.
Scope of work
What's Included in Full Roof Replacement
Structural Inspection & Replacement
Technical assessment of rafters and other load-bearing elements, replacing damaged parts or the whole system to the load calculation.
Insulation System
Installing new insulation between the rafters with a correct vapor barrier on the inside and a wind barrier on the outside.
Ventilation System
Building a ventilation gap between the insulation and covering, with proper eaves intake and ridge outlet.
New Covering Installation
Installing the chosen material to the manufacturer's specification - from metal to tile or standing seam.
Details & Connections
Rebuilding the chimney connection, ridge, eaves, and verge elements, installing roof windows, and the gutter system.
System layers
A Full System, Inside to Outside
During full replacement, every layer is inspected and replaced as needed - not just visually covered over.
| Layer | During replacement |
|---|---|
| Load-bearing structure (rafters) | Inspected, damaged parts or the whole system replaced |
| Vapor barrier | Newly installed to prevent indoor moisture reaching the insulation |
| Insulation | Fully replaced with new, correctly sized material |
| Breather membrane | New membrane with correct overlap and sealing |
| Counter-battens & ventilation gap | Rebuilt from scratch, ensuring continuous airflow |
| Battens | New battens matched to the chosen covering |
| Covering | Fully new covering in the chosen material |
The insulation system is one of the most important parts of a full replacement - it affects both the building's energy efficiency and the structure's longevity, since incorrectly installed insulation without a vapor barrier creates a condensation risk. We choose the insulation thickness and material to match the roof type and how the space is used - a heated loft and an unused attic need different solutions. See our roof insulation page for a detailed explanation of the insulation system.
Critical details
The Details That Determine a New Roof's Durability
With a full replacement, these points don't need to be adapted to an existing, possibly already problematic situation - we build them correctly from the very start.
The advantage of full replacement is that every critical detail is built fresh, rather than adapted to an existing - possibly already problematic - situation. This matters most for old roofs, where the original construction solutions often don't meet today's ventilation and waterproofing standards.
- Ridge detail - a new ventilation outflow and waterproofing solution fully matched to the chosen covering.
- Eaves detail - rebuilt ventilation intake, new gutter brackets, correct membrane run-off.
- Chimney connection - a rebuilt connection with new waterproofing and flashing, if the chimney stays.
- Roof window installation - where needed, we fit new roof windows with full waterproofing integration into the system.
Process
How Full Roof Replacement Happens
1
Site Assessment
A detailed check of the structure, insulation, and ventilation, plus a timber moisture assessment.
2
Solution & Quote
Developing the structure, insulation, and covering solution, with a detailed quote.
3
Removal
Removing the old covering, battens, insulation, and damaged structural parts.
4
Structure & Insulation
Replacing or reinforcing rafters, vapor barrier, insulation, membrane, ventilation.
5
Covering & Details
Battens, covering installation, ridge, eaves, chimney and window connections.
6
Handover
Quality control, warranty documents, complete site clean-up.
Quality control
How We Check Completed Work
Because a full replacement exposes the entire structure, we photograph every stage - from the condition of the rafters to the insulation fit and membrane joints - before installing the next layer. That means after the work is done, you can see exactly what was underneath the final covering, rather than taking our word for it.
Price & duration
What Affects Cost and Timeline
The cost of a full replacement is affected by the roof's area and shape, the extent of structural damage, insulation thickness and material, the chosen covering, and the number of details. The amount of damaged rafters is often one of the biggest cost factors, since it can only be accurately assessed once the old covering is removed. For an average single-family home, work usually takes 10-20 working days. See our pricing page for exact price factors.
Warranty
A Written Warranty on the Whole Roof
We provide a written warranty for the structural, insulation, and covering work. Material warranties are set by the manufacturer. Warranty documents are issued at handover together with the acceptance certificate. See full terms on our warranty page.
Completed project
An Example From Our Work
On a project in Ādaži, we carried out a full roof replacement for a 30-year-old single-family home - the assessment found timber damage in several rafters and aged, damp insulation. We replaced the structure, fitted a new insulation system with correct vapor and wind barriers, and installed a metal covering. Together with rebuilding the chimney connection and a new gutter system, the work took just over two weeks. The owners noted that after completion, the loft space no longer felt drafty and there was no cold bridge at the ridge in winter. See more completed projects on our projects page.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Full Roof Replacement
Covering replacement only touches the outer covering, membrane, and battens, if the structure is in good condition. Full replacement also inspects and replaces the rafters, insulation, and ventilation system - it's chosen when the structure has aged, been damaged, or no longer meets modern requirements.
The main signs are timber rot or moisture damage in the rafters, insufficient or incorrect ventilation, aged or damp insulation, or wanting to change the roof shape, pitch, or add extra space. We give a precise answer after a structural assessment.
Usually not - the work happens from outside, and the living space below stays usable. If interior work on the ceiling structure is also needed, we coordinate that individually, planning the sequence of work to keep disruption to a minimum.
For an average single-family home, a full replacement usually takes 10-20 working days depending on roof area, structural complexity, the scope of insulation, and weather. We give an exact timeline in the quote after the site assessment.
We provide a written warranty for all the work carried out - structure, insulation, and covering. Material warranties are set by each material's manufacturer. Terms are described on our warranty page.
Request a Site Assessment for Your Full Roof Replacement
We'll come out, thoroughly assess the structure's condition, and prepare a detailed solution and quote.
We'll be in touch within 5-10 minutes