Porthcawl at a glance
- Postcode districts
- CF36
- Population
- about 15,672 (GeoNames)
- Council area
- Bridgend County Borough Council
- Building approval
- Bridgend County Borough Council building control, or a registered building control approver
- Nearest main town
- Bridgend, about 6 miles
- Guide price region
- Wales (−8% on West Midlands rates)
Why choose a green roof in Porthcawl?
Rainwater from flat roofs in Porthcawl runs off quickly in heavy showers. A green roof holds some of that water back and releases it more slowly, which is one reason some owners and developers choose one. The flowering sedum also draws in bees and other insects.
Porthcawl's flat roofs are mostly on low-rise post-war blocks of flats, with plenty on terraced streets with flat-roofed rear kitchens and bathrooms too. Wales averages roughly 1,460 mm of rain a year, among the wettest in Britain, so we design for steady run-off: proper falls, clear outlets and upstands well above the finished roof.
How much does a green roof cost in Porthcawl?
Guide price in Porthcawl: £4,050–£7,450 for a 20 m² insulated extension roof finished as a sedum green roof, including VAT at Wales rates. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
| Job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM with sedum green roof | £4,050–£7,450 |
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM, new deck + insulation | £2,600–£4,500 |
Can my flat roof take the weight of a green roof?
Not every roof can, which is why we check the structure before quoting. A sedum roof is light compared with an intensive garden, but its growing medium holds water, and a saturated build-up adds significant weight to the roof.
We look at the joist sizes, spans and spacing, the condition of the deck and what the roof sits on. On a recently built extension with generously sized joists, an extensive green roof may be straightforward. On an older garage or a roof with undersized or rotten timbers, the structure may need strengthening, or a structural engineer's calculation may be needed before we can go ahead.
In England, a new roof covering that adds 15% or more to the weight of the roof triggers building control approval, and a green roof will often fall into that category. We handle building control where it is needed. The building regulations page covers the approval routes in each nation.
What's included?
- Gravel strips kept clear around edges and outlets
- Structural check of joists, deck and supports
- Root-resistant membrane or separate root barrier
- Drainage layer, filter and lightweight growing medium
Building regulations in Wales
The Welsh Approved Document L applies. Renovating more than half of a roof over a heated room means upgrading it to around 0.16 W/m²K where feasible, and new extension roofs are built to 0.13 W/m²K. Welsh Government guidance is that most re-roofing needs building control approval, so check whenever more than a quarter of a roof is replaced or repaired. We deal with the application as part of the job. More on the rules.
Which nearby areas do we also cover?
Green and sedum roofs in Porthcawl: questions
Do you cover Porthcawl?
Yes. Porthcawl is part of our Bridgend coverage, including postcode districts CF36. Surveys and roofs are carried out by vetted roofing teams working under S&K Property Investments and Improvement Ltd.
Who checks building regulations for a flat roof in Porthcawl?
Where the work needs approval it goes to Bridgend County Borough Council building control, or a registered building control approver. We tell you at the survey whether your job needs it and deal with the paperwork as part of the quote.
How much does a green roof cost in Porthcawl?
£4,050–£7,450 for a 20 m² insulated extension roof finished as a sedum green roof, at Wales guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
Can you put a sedum roof on a garage?
Often, yes, if the structure is strong enough. Many older garage roofs have light timbers, so a structural check comes first and strengthening may be needed.
Can a green roof have a rooflight in it?
Yes. The rooflight sits on a raised upstand with a gravel strip around it, so the planting stays clear of the glazing and the upstand stays visible and dry.