Ballymena at a glance
- Postcode districts
- BT42, BT43, BT44
- Population
- about 28,932 (GeoNames)
- Council area
- Mid and East Antrim Borough Council
- Building approval
- Mid and East Antrim Borough Council building control
- Guide price region
- Northern Ireland (−12% on West Midlands rates)
Why choose a green roof in Ballymena?
Rainwater from flat roofs in Ballymena 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.
Around Ballymena, flat roofs are common on low-rise post-war blocks of flats and on shops with flat-roofed rear stores below flats. Northern Ireland averages roughly 1,150 mm of rain a year, spread over many wet days, so a roof that sheds water quickly to clear outlets lasts far longer than one that holds puddles.
How much does a green roof cost in Ballymena?
At Northern Ireland guide rates, a 20 m² insulated extension roof finished as a sedum green roof comes to £3,900–£7,100 including VAT. 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 | £3,900–£7,100 |
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM, new deck + insulation | £2,450–£4,300 |
How is a green roof built on top of a flat roof?
From the bottom up, a green roof is a deck, a waterproofing system with root protection, then drainage, filter, growing medium and plants. The waterproofing does the job of keeping water out. The green layers sit above it.
- Warm roof build-up: vapour control layer, insulation and waterproof membrane on the deck, then the green layers on top. This is the usual choice on a home extension being re-roofed.
- Inverted build-up: waterproofing on the deck, then insulation boards designed to sit above it, then the green layers. This is common on terraces and some commercial roofs.
- Root barrier: roots will exploit any weakness, so the membrane needs to be root-resistant. Some membranes are tested as root-resistant; others need a separate root barrier laid on top.
- Drainage and edges: a drainage layer carries surplus water to outlets, and a gravel or pebble strip is usually left around edges, outlets, upstands and rooflights to keep them clear and accessible.
Upstands still need to rise around 150 mm above the finished surface, which on a green roof means above the top of the growing medium. We check that at the survey, alongside the external fire performance of the build-up where the roof is close to a boundary.
What's included?
- Structural check of joists, deck and supports
- Warm or inverted build-up to suit the roof
- Pre-grown sedum blankets laid and watered in
- Root-resistant membrane or separate root barrier
Building control in Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, Technical Booklet F1 sets roof insulation at 0.18 W/m²K when a roof over a heated room is renovated or newly built, where that's feasible. The district council's building control should be contacted before work starts, and we prepare the details it asks for. More on the rules.
Which nearby areas do we also cover?
- Antrim · 10 mi
- Ballyclare · 13 mi
- Magherafelt · 15 mi
- Ballymoney · 17 mi
- Larne · 18 mi
- Newtownabbey · 20 mi
Green and sedum roofs in Ballymena: questions
Do you cover Ballymena?
Yes. Ballymena is part of our County Antrim coverage, including postcode districts BT42, BT43, BT44. 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 Ballymena?
Where the work needs approval it goes to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council building control. 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 Ballymena?
£3,900–£7,100 for a 20 m² insulated extension roof finished as a sedum green roof, at Northern Ireland guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
What happens if a green roof needs repairing?
The green layers are lifted around the problem area, the membrane is repaired, and the layers are relaid. Building on a sound, long-life membrane in the first place keeps that to a minimum.
Can you put a green roof on a pitched roof?
We install green roofs on flat roofs only. Sloping green roofs need extra restraint to stop the growing medium slipping, and they are a specialist job outside our work.