Systems
GRP Roofing Courses in the UK: What to Check Before You Book
What a good GRP or fibreglass roofing course should cover, which ones end in installer certification, and how experienced roofers can add a system in a day.
Good GRP roofing courses in the UK are short, practical and run by the manufacturer of the system you'll be laying, because that's who issues the installer certification. Expect a one-day course on training rigs that covers deck preparation, resin and catalyst mixing, laminating or reinforcing, detailing and topcoat. If a course doesn't end with certification on a named system, it can't give you a manufacturer guarantee to offer customers.
At RESTEC Academy we train roofers on Flexitec, RESTEC's MPEC liquid and GRP roofing system. Here's what to check whichever GRP or fibreglass course you're looking at.
Which GRP roofing courses come with installer certification?
Installer certification for GRP and fibreglass roofing is issued by system manufacturers. A college or general training provider can teach you the principles, but approval to install a particular product, and to offer its guarantee, comes from whoever makes it. Before you book, ask:
- Which system will I be certified on?
- Is there a guarantee I can offer once I'm certified, and how long is it?
- Do I get an ID or card I can show customers and merchants?
- Is technical support available after the course, when I'm on a live job?
On our Flexitec course the answers are: Flexitec; RESTEC's 20-year materials guarantee on qualifying roofs you install and register; an attendance certificate plus a personal Trainer ID card; and yes, through our technical team on 01352 746 133.
What should a GRP roofing course cover?
Traditional GRP roofing is built up from resin and glass fibre matting over a board deck, finished with a topcoat. Whatever the system, most failures trace back to a few things: a damp or contaminated deck, the wrong amount of catalyst for the temperature, and poor detailing at edges, upstands and outlets. A proper course should give you hands-on time with all of them.
Our Flexitec course covers:
- Preparation for new build and overlay roofs, including primers.
- Catalyst mixing matched to the product and the ambient temperature.
- RESTRIM edge trims for professional detailing.
- Detailing around outlets, upstands and other awkward areas.
- Base and topcoats, with optional surface finishes.
- Registering the roof for the 20-year materials guarantee.
The overlay part is worth noting if you've only laid GRP on new decks. Being able to go over a sound existing roof without stripping it saves your customer money and gets you off site faster.
Do GRP roofing courses cover flat and pitched roofs?
Our GRP training is for flat roofs only. We don't train pitched applications, so if pitched GRP work is what you're after, you'll need to look at another provider.
That said, flat roofs are where most GRP work is: extensions, garages, dormers and balconies. The course spends its time on the details that go wrong on those jobs, such as upstands, outlets and edges. If you're not sure whether it covers a job you've got coming up, call the training team on 01352 748 600 before booking.
What's the best GRP roofing course for an experienced roofer?
If you already lay felt, single ply or slate and want to add fibreglass-style flat roofing, you don't need to start from scratch. A one-day system course will show you what's different: working with catalyst, pot life and temperature, building up layers and getting a clean finish at the details. Your existing site knowledge does the rest.
| Your situation | Course | From |
|---|---|---|
| Experienced roofer, new to liquid or GRP systems | Flexitec MPEC liquid roofing | Β£120 + VAT |
| Also fit rooflights on the roofs you lay | RESTEC & VELUX specialist flat roof training | Β£150 + VAT |
| Already Flexitec trained, moving into commercial work | Flexitec Platinum upgrade | Β£200 + VAT |
Prices are per delegate before VAT; each training day shows its exact price.
Where can you sign up for a GRP roofing course?
You can book any of our courses online. Pick a date and centre from the upcoming training days, add your delegates (up to 12 per day) and pay by card. We train at 22 centres, including Bristol, Doncaster, Manchester, St Albans, South Wales, Belfast and Glasgow; the locations page has a postcode search to find your nearest.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between GRP and liquid roofing?+
Traditional GRP is built from resin and glass fibre matting with a topcoat. Liquid roofing systems are applied as a liquid that cures into a membrane. Flexitec, RESTEC's MPEC system, is trained as a liquid and GRP roofing system and can go on new build or overlay roofs.
How long does a GRP roofing course take?+
Our Flexitec course runs for one full day, with most of it spent on training rigs.
Do I get certified at the end?+
Yes. You receive an attendance certificate and a personal Trainer ID card. With a valid Trainer ID you can offer RESTEC's 20-year materials guarantee on qualifying roofs you install and register.
Can I learn GRP roofing online?+
You can pick up the theory online, but certification needs hands-on practice. Mixing, laminating and detailing are skills you have to do with a trainer watching.
How much is a GRP roofing course?+
Our Flexitec course starts from Β£120 + VAT per delegate, which is Β£144 including VAT. The exact price is shown on each training day.