Newtownabbey at a glance
- Postcode districts
- BT36, BT37
- Population
- about 63,860 (GeoNames)
- Council area
- Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council
- Building approval
- Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council building control
- Nearest main town
- Belfast, about 4 miles
- Guide price region
- Northern Ireland (−12% on West Midlands rates)
Why choose a green roof in Newtownabbey?
Homeowners in Newtownabbey building a new extension may find a green roof can help with a planning application, as some councils encourage them for biodiversity and slower rainwater run-off. It is worth raising early with your designer, before the roof structure is drawn up, so the joists can be sized for the extra weight.
Around Newtownabbey, flat roofs are common on 1930s semis with flat-roofed garages and kitchen extensions and on 1960s and 1970s link-detached houses with flat-roofed garages and porches. 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 Newtownabbey?
For Newtownabbey we use Northern Ireland rates: £3,900–£7,100 is the guide for a 20 m² insulated extension roof finished as a sedum green roof, VAT included. 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 long does a green roof last and how much maintenance does it need?
A well-built extensive green roof needs one or two maintenance visits a year, and the plant layer can help protect the membrane from sunlight and temperature swings.
Typical maintenance means pulling out weeds and tree seedlings before they root, clearing outlets and the gravel strips around edges, filling in any bare patches, and adding a slow-release feed if the sedum looks thin. Sedum is drought-tolerant once established, but newly laid blankets may need watering in a long dry spell during the first season.
The waterproofing underneath has the same expected life as on any other roof of that system. A green roof also slows down rainwater run-off from the roof and, when sedum flowers, attracts bees and other insects. Some councils encourage green roofs for those reasons, so it is worth mentioning one in a planning application for a new extension. Our maintenance guide covers routine checks.
What's included?
- Warm or inverted build-up to suit the roof
- Pre-grown sedum blankets laid and watered in
- Gravel strips kept clear around edges and outlets
- Structural check of joists, deck and supports
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?
- Belfast · 4 mi
- Carrickfergus · 6 mi
- Dundonald · 6 mi
- Ballyclare · 7 mi
- Carryduff · 10 mi
- Newtownards · 10 mi
Green and sedum roofs in Newtownabbey: questions
Do you cover Newtownabbey?
Yes. Newtownabbey is part of our County Antrim coverage, including postcode districts BT36, BT37. 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 Newtownabbey?
Where the work needs approval it goes to Antrim and Newtownabbey 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 Newtownabbey?
£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.
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.
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.