Roofing is harder on clothing than most trades

Roofers spend the day kneeling and crouching on tiles, slates, felt and, on flat roofs, hot bitumen. They're fully exposed to wind and rain with nowhere to shelter, and a gusty day at height feels very different from a still one on the ground. Roofing kit wears out faster than most, so it pays to buy it properly rather than cheaply.

Abrasion is constant

Tiles, slates, ladders and scaffold boards wear through knees, seats and forearms first. Reinforcement in those places makes the biggest difference.

Weather comes at you sideways

Wind chill at height isn't the same as at ground level. Layers that block the wind matter as much as layers that keep out the rain.

Movement can't be restricted

Your team is climbing, crouching and reaching all day. Anything that binds or catches gets left in the van within a week.

The roofing kit list

This is what most roofing firms end up ordering, and why each item earns its place.

• Knee-pad trousers: roofers spend a lot of time on their knees, so trousers with pockets for EN 14404 knee pads, plus stretch panels for ladders and scaffold, are the most worthwhile upgrade. See work trousers.
• Softshells and windproof jackets: the layer that gets worn most. Blocks wind at height without the bulk of a heavy coat.
• Waterproof outer layers: for days when the job carries on in the rain. Pick breathable fabrics, or the crew gets wet from the inside instead.
• Hi-vis outer layers: class-rated vests, jackets and softshells for site access and roadside work. See hi-vis workwear.
• Safety footwear with grip: slip resistance and ankle support come first on pitched roofs. See safety boots.
• Gloves: cut and abrasion resistance for handling tiles, slates and sheet metal. Glove ratings explained.
• Helmets and height safety: helmets, harnesses and lanyards for work at height. Head protection explained.
• Polos and T-shirts: the everyday base layer that gets washed hardest, branded so homeowners know who's on their roof. See polos and T-shirts.
• Base and mid layers: thermal base layers and fleeces for winter, when standing still on a roof gets cold fast.

Working at height, and what that means for kit

Roofing is work at height, which in the UK comes under the Work at Height Regulations 2005. The regulations cover planning, supervision and having the right equipment for the job, and clothing is only a small part of that. Where clothing does matter is the practical detail: nothing loose that can snag, footwear with reliable grip, and head protection that suits the actual risk on site.

If your crew uses fall-arrest harnesses, the outer layers have to work with the harness, not against it. Bulky coats over a harness are a common frustration, which is why fitted softshells usually beat heavy jackets on roofing jobs.

Head protection, harness compatibility and footwear grip should all be specified against your own risk assessment and method statement. Tell us what your assessment calls for and we'll match products to it rather than guess.

Smart on the drive, tough on the roof

Roofing sells on trust and local reputation, and a lot of work comes from a neighbour seeing the job next door. That makes branded kit closer to advertising than uniform.

Back branding does the selling

Your company name and one line about what you do, readable from the pavement while the team is up on the roof. For roofers, this is the placement that pays for itself.

A chest logo does the reassuring

A small embroidered logo when you're at the door quoting turns a stranger into a company. See embroidered workwear, or check our logo placement guide for what goes where.