Glasgow at a glance
- Postcode districts
- G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G11, G12, G13 and 20 more
- Population
- about 626,410 (GeoNames)
- Council area
- Glasgow City Council
- Building approval
- Glasgow City Council building standards
- Guide price region
- Scotland (−5% on West Midlands rates)
Why choose a green roof in Glasgow?
Garden rooms and outbuildings in Glasgow, as elsewhere, often have small flat roofs that are seen from the house and garden. A sedum finish helps them blend in, provided the structure is strong enough and the roof underneath is built properly.
Around Glasgow, flat roofs are common on newer estates where the first extension roofs are now being replaced and on shops with flat-roofed rear stores below flats. 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 Glasgow?
Guide price in Glasgow: £4,200–£7,700 for a 20 m² insulated extension roof finished as a sedum green roof, including VAT at Scotland 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 | £4,200–£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?
- Warm or inverted build-up to suit the roof
- Drainage layer, filter and lightweight growing medium
- Root-resistant membrane or separate root barrier
- Structural check of joists, deck and supports
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 Glasgow: questions
Do you cover Glasgow?
Yes. Glasgow is part of our Glasgow City coverage, including postcode districts G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G11 and 22 more. 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 Glasgow?
Where the work needs approval it goes to Glasgow City 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 Glasgow?
£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.
Do I need to water a sedum roof?
Usually only in the first season, during long dry spells, while the blankets establish. After that, sedum copes with dry weather well.
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.