What Is Re-Roofing and Re-Cladding?

Re-roofing and re-cladding is the process of stripping and replacing the roof sheeting and wall cladding on an existing steel building — keeping the original structural frame but renewing everything else. At Sullivan Steel, we re-roof and re-clad agricultural sheds, industrial units and commercial buildings across Ireland. Most original sheeting on Irish farms and industrial buildings was rated for 25–40 years, and a huge number of those buildings are now well past that. Re-roofing typically takes 3–7 working days and adds 30+ years of working life to the building. For farmers, the new TAMS 3 shed roof replacement grant launched in December 2025 now covers up to 60% of the cost.

Why Choose Sullivan Steel for Re-Roofing in Ireland

Re-roofing isn't the same job as building new. The frame is already there, the building's in use, and the work has to happen around what's already on site. Here's what makes Sullivan Steel different:

Done by a proper contractor, not a sub-trade. Most re-roofing work in Ireland gets handed off to whichever contractor is cheapest. We do it ourselves — same team, same standards, same insurance, same accountability.

We can fix the structure too. Once the sheeting comes off, you find out what's underneath. Rotted purlins, corroded trusses, missing bracing. Because we have an in-house fabrication workshop, we can repair or replace structural members on the spot — not stop the job and wait for another trade.

Asbestos-aware. A lot of pre-1999 farm sheds in Ireland have asbestos cement sheeting. We're set up to handle HSA-compliant removal and disposal — we don't just rip the sheets off and leave you with a liability.

TAMS 3 grant expertise. We work with farmers going through TAMS 3 applications all the time, including the new shed roof replacement grant. We quote against scheme specifications as standard, and we know what the Department will and won't approve.

Honest answers on repair vs replace. Sometimes re-roofing isn't the right answer. If the structure's too far gone, or the building's wrong for what you need now, we'll tell you. We'd rather lose the job than do work that doesn't make sense.

When Does a Shed Need Re-Roofing?

It's rarely one big problem that triggers a re-roof — it's usually a creeping list of small issues that finally tip into "we need to do something about this." Common warning signs:

• Visible rust through the roof or cladding sheets — particularly along laps, around fixings, and at the eaves
• Recurring leaks, especially after heavy rain or wind-driven rain from a particular direction
• Daylight visible through the roof when standing inside the building
• Loose, missing or rattling sheets — usually a sign that original fixings have rusted through
• Damaged or missing flashings at ridges, eaves and gable ends
• Sagging roof line — typically a structural issue rather than a sheeting one, indicates trusses need attention
• Persistent damp or condensation damaging stored feed, machinery or livestock conditions

If you're seeing two or three of these, patching individual sheets is throwing good money after bad. A full re-sheet is almost always cheaper over a 5-year horizon than ongoing repairs.

For a deeper walkthrough on when to repair vs replace, see our re-roofing farm sheds guide.

Re-Roofing and Re-Cladding Services We Offer

Sullivan Steel handles every type of restoration work on steel-framed buildings:

Roof re-sheeting. Stripping and replacing roof sheeting on agricultural, industrial and commercial buildings. New sheeting, new fixings, new flashings, new ridge cappings — full roof restoration.

Wall re-cladding. Replacing wall cladding where it's failed at ground contact, around openings, or generally reached end-of-life.

Full re-sheet (roof and walls together). Doing both at once — usually cheaper than two separate jobs because you only pay for site setup and mobilisation once.

Asbestos sheet removal. HSA-compliant removal and disposal of asbestos cement sheeting on pre-1999 buildings. Properly documented, properly handled.

Structural repairs during re-roofing. Replacing failed purlins, reinforcing trusses, fixing structural issues exposed when the old sheeting comes off.

Gutter and downpipe replacement. Failed gutters and downpipes that are causing leaks or water damage — replaced as part of the wider restoration.

Industrial cladding restoration. Re-cladding industrial units with insulated panels where the original spec is no longer fit for purpose or where energy performance needs upgrading.

TAMS 3 Grant for Shed Roof Replacement

If you're a working farmer, this is genuinely important and a lot of people haven't caught up to it yet.

In December 2025, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon announced that grant aid for replacing shed roofs is now available under the Farm Safety measure of TAMS 3. This is a major change — for years, farmers re-roofing failed agricultural buildings had no grant support at all. Now they can recover up to 60% of the cost through TAMS 3.

What you need to know:

• The grant is at the 60% Farm Safety rate — significantly higher than the standard 40%
• Available for re-roofing existing buildings, not just new builds
• Either full planning permission or a Section 5 declaration of exemption is required for the application
• If the stanchions or rafters aren't being replaced, a chartered engineer's report confirms they're sound enough to carry the new roof
• Application via agfood.ie in line with TAMS 3 tranche closing dates

For a €20,000 re-roofing job, the new grant covers up to €12,000. Combined with the building's extended working life, the economics often beat any alternative.

For the full breakdown of how TAMS 3 works, eligibility rules and the application process, see our TAMS 3 grant for steel sheds guide.

How Our Re-Roofing Process Works

Every re-roofing and re-cladding project follows the same approach:

1. Site assessment. We come out, inspect the existing building — roof condition, structural integrity, asbestos status, access — and talk through what's involved.

2. Detailed written quote. Scope of works, materials, structural repair contingency, asbestos handling if applicable, timeline, exclusions. All in writing.

3. TAMS 3 application support (for farmers). If you're going through TAMS 3, we provide quotes against scheme specifications and coordinate with your agricultural adviser as needed.

4. Project scheduling. Booked in around your operational requirements — particularly important for livestock buildings and working industrial premises.

5. Strip the existing roof/cladding. Old sheeting removed safely, asbestos disposed of compliantly if present, structural frame exposed.

6. Inspect and repair structure. Trusses, purlins, bracing — anything that needs attention gets addressed before new sheeting goes on.

7. New sheeting installation. Modern coated steel or fibre-cement sheeting fitted with proper fasteners, sealed laps and end closures.

8. Flashings, gutters and finishing. Ridge cappings, eaves trims, gutters, downpipes — all replaced as part of the job. This is where re-roofs either last 30+ years or leak in two.

9. Final inspection and clean-up. Walkthrough with you, snag list addressed, all debris removed from site.

For full project timeline information, see our steel shed build time guide.

Asbestos in Older Farm Sheds

A practical reality of re-roofing pre-1999 buildings in Ireland: many of them have asbestos cement sheeting. It's not a reason to leave the roof in place — but it does mean the job has to be handled properly.

What asbestos removal involves:

• Identification before work starts
• HSA-compliant removal procedures
• Properly licensed transport and disposal
• All documentation provided

Asbestos sheeting removal typically adds €3,000–€8,000 to a re-roofing job depending on quantity and access. It's a real cost, but the alternative — leaving deteriorating asbestos sheeting in place — gets worse the longer you wait.

For the official asbestos handling requirements, see the Health and Safety Authority asbestos guidance.

Re-Roofing Across Ireland

Based in Wexford, working across Ireland on re-roofing and re-cladding projects. Most of our agricultural re-roofing work is across the South East — Wexford, Waterford, Wicklow, Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary. For larger industrial and commercial re-cladding, we travel anywhere in Ireland.

If you're not sure whether we cover your area, ring us — we'll give you a straight answer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does re-roofing a farm shed take? A typical agricultural re-roof on a 60×40 ft shed takes 3–7 working days depending on size, weather and structural condition. Asbestos removal adds 1–2 days. Industrial re-cladding 1–4 weeks depending on building size.

Q: Can I get a TAMS 3 grant for re-roofing my shed? Yes. As of December 2025, the new TAMS 3 shed roof replacement grant covers up to 60% of the cost on agricultural buildings under the Farm Safety measure. For full details, see our TAMS 3 grant guide.

Q: Do you handle asbestos sheeting? Yes — we're set up for HSA-compliant asbestos removal and disposal. Many pre-1999 farm sheds in Ireland have asbestos cement sheeting and we handle it properly as part of the re-roofing scope.

Q: How long will a new roof last? Modern coated steel cladding is rated for 30–40 years with proper installation. Fibre-cement lasts 40+ years. Lifespan depends heavily on the quality of flashings, gutters and detailing — which is exactly the bit we don't cut corners on.

Q: Do you re-roof while livestock is still in the building? Where possible, yes — though we'll talk through the practicalities with you. Animal welfare and project logistics determine what's safe to do without temporary relocation.

Q: Can you re-clad and re-roof at the same time? Yes — and for buildings 30+ years old where both the roof and cladding are reaching end-of-life, doing both together is significantly cheaper than two separate jobs. You only pay for site setup, MEWP hire and mobilisation once.