Cheltenham at a glance
- Postcode districts
- GL50, GL51, GL52, GL53
- Population
- about 118,836 (GeoNames)
- Council area
- Cheltenham Borough Council
- Building approval
- Cheltenham Borough Council building control, or a registered building control approver
- Nearest main town
- Gloucester, about 7 miles
- Guide price region
- South West (+3% on West Midlands rates)
Why choose a green roof in Cheltenham?
Homeowners in Cheltenham 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.
Cheltenham's flat roofs are mostly on newer estates where the first extension roofs are now being replaced, with plenty on low-rise post-war blocks of flats too. The South West averages roughly 1,260 mm of rain a year and many roofs face wind off the Atlantic, so we specify fixings and edge details for wind uplift as well as drainage.
How much does a green roof cost in Cheltenham?
For Cheltenham we use South West rates: £4,550–£8,350 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 | £4,550–£8,350 |
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM, new deck + insulation | £2,900–£5,050 |
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?
- Pre-grown sedum blankets laid and watered in
- Warm or inverted build-up to suit the roof
- Gravel strips kept clear around edges and outlets
- Drainage layer, filter and lightweight growing medium
Building regulations in England
Replacing more than half of a flat roof over a heated room usually counts as renovating a thermal element, so the roof is insulated to around 0.16 W/m²K where that's technically and economically feasible, and the work is notified to building control: the council or a registered building control approver, unless a registered competent person self-certifies it. A roof on a new extension is built to 0.15 W/m²K. Patch repairs, and most unheated detached garages, don't trigger the upgrade. Structural changes, or a new covering that adds 15% or more to the roof's weight, also need approval. More on the rules.
Which nearby areas do we also cover?
- Tewkesbury · 7 mi
- Gloucester · 7 mi
- Stroud · 12 mi
- Cirencester · 13 mi
- Evesham · 14 mi
- Great Malvern · 18 mi
Green and sedum roofs in Cheltenham: questions
Do you cover Cheltenham?
Yes. Cheltenham is part of our Gloucestershire coverage, including postcode districts GL50, GL51, GL52, GL53. 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 Cheltenham?
Where the work needs approval it goes to Cheltenham 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 Cheltenham?
£4,550–£8,350 for a 20 m² insulated extension roof finished as a sedum green roof, at South West guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
Does a green roof leak more than a normal flat roof?
No, as long as it is built correctly. The waterproofing beneath is what keeps water out, and the green layers protect it from sun and weather. The main risk is building it on a weak or ageing membrane.
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.