Oldham at a glance
- Postcode districts
- M35, OL1, OL2, OL3, OL4, OL8, OL9
- Population
- about 237,110 (GeoNames)
- Council area
- Oldham Council
- Building approval
- Oldham Council building control, or a registered building control approver
- Nearest main town
- Manchester, about 6 miles
- Guide price region
- North West (−5% on West Midlands rates)
Why choose a green roof in Oldham?
If you're replacing an old flat roof in Oldham, it's worth deciding whether to add sedum at the same time. If the structure can take it, that is the ideal moment, because the waterproofing is new and the green layers won't need lifting for a long time.
Oldham's flat roofs are mostly on bungalows with flat-roofed side extensions and dormers, with plenty on terraced streets with flat-roofed rear kitchens and bathrooms too. The North West is one of England's wetter regions, averaging roughly 1,290 mm of rain a year, so falls, outlets and well-detailed upstands matter more than the membrane colour.
How much does a green roof cost in Oldham?
At North West 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 |
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?
- Pre-grown sedum blankets laid and watered in
- Root-resistant membrane or separate root barrier
- 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?
- Royton · 2 mi
- Failsworth · 3 mi
- Middleton · 3 mi
- Ashton-under-Lyne · 4 mi
- Droylsden · 4 mi
- Stalybridge · 5 mi
Green and sedum roofs in Oldham: questions
Do you cover Oldham?
Yes. Oldham is part of our Greater Manchester coverage, including postcode districts M35, OL1, OL2, OL3, OL4, OL8 and 1 more. 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 Oldham?
Where the work needs approval it goes to Oldham 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 Oldham?
£4,200–£7,700 for a 20 m² insulated extension roof finished as a sedum green roof, at North West 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 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.