Musselburgh at a glance
- Postcode districts
- EH21
- Population
- about 23,620 (GeoNames)
- Council area
- East Lothian Council
- Building approval
- East Lothian Council building standards
- Nearest main town
- Edinburgh, about 6 miles
- Guide price region
- Scotland (−5% on West Midlands rates)
Why choose a green roof in Musselburgh?
Homeowners in Musselburgh 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 Musselburgh, flat roofs are common on terraced streets with flat-roofed rear kitchens and bathrooms and on newer estates where the first extension roofs are now being replaced. Scotland averages roughly 1,570 mm of rain a year, with the west far wetter than the east, so drainage, falls and wind uplift are part of every specification we write.
How much does a green roof cost in Musselburgh?
At Scotland guide rates, a 20 m² insulated extension roof finished as a sedum green roof comes to £4,200–£7,700 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 | £4,200–£7,700 |
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM, new deck + insulation | £2,650–£4,650 |
Can a green roof go on my existing flat roof?
Only if the existing waterproofing is sound, root-resistant or protected by a root barrier, and has plenty of life left. In most cases it makes more sense to lay a green roof as part of a replacement.
Once the sedum, substrate and drainage layers are down, the membrane underneath is hard to inspect and expensive to repair, because the green layers have to be lifted to get to it. Putting a green roof on an ageing covering risks paying for the greenery twice. Our repair or replace guide helps you judge whether your current roof is a sensible base.
As for planning, re-covering a house roof normally needs no application if its appearance doesn't change materially. Because a green roof does change how a roof looks, check with your council, especially for listed buildings, conservation areas and roofs that are easily seen. The planning guide has more.
What's included?
- Drainage layer, filter and lightweight growing medium
- Structural check of joists, deck and supports
- Pre-grown sedum blankets laid and watered in
- Gravel strips kept clear around edges and outlets
Building standards in Scotland
In Scotland the building standards technical handbooks (Section 6 for energy) apply, and the council's building standards service decides whether a building warrant is needed. Like-for-like repairs to a roof covering can be exempt; alterations, structural work and new roofs usually need a warrant before work starts. The domestic roof benchmark is 0.12 W/m²K, applied as far as reasonably practicable on an existing roof. More on the rules.
Which nearby areas do we also cover?
Green and sedum roofs in Musselburgh: questions
Do you cover Musselburgh?
Yes. Musselburgh is part of our East Lothian coverage, including postcode districts EH21. Surveys and roofs are carried out by vetted roofing teams working under S&K Property Investments and Improvement Ltd.
Who checks building standards for a flat roof in Musselburgh?
Where the work needs approval it goes to East Lothian Council building standards. 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 Musselburgh?
£4,200–£7,700 for a 20 m² insulated extension roof finished as a sedum green roof, at Scotland guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
Can I walk on a green roof?
Only for maintenance, and only where it is safe. Most extensive green roofs on homes aren't designed as roof terraces, and a terrace generally needs planning permission and edge protection.
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.