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Green and sedum roofs across Isle of Wight

If you are planning an extension or replacing a flat roof in Isle of Wight, a sedum roof is worth considering. We explain the weight, building control and planning points, the root barrier and drainage, and the simple yearly maintenance, so you can decide whether it suits your roof and your budget before you commit.

Sedum green roof with a gravel border and inspection chamber on a single-storey extensionComputer-generated example image
Guide price
£4,850–£8,900
Survey
Free for new and replacement roofs
Quote
Fixed, in writing
Coverage
England, Wales, Scotland, NI

Isle of Wight at a glance

Largest towns
Newport, Isle of Wight, Ryde, Cowes, Sandown
Postcode areas
PO
Building control
Isle of Wight Council
Neighbouring areas
Hampshire · Berkshire · Surrey · Wiltshire
Guide price region
South East (+10% on West Midlands rates)

How much does a green roof cost in Isle of Wight?

Guide prices including VAT at South East rates. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.

JobGuide price inc VAT
Extension (20 m²), EPDM with sedum green roof£4,850–£8,900
Extension (20 m²), EPDM, new deck + insulation£3,100–£5,350

Which flat roofs are common in Isle of Wight?

Flat roofs in Isle of Wight sit on 1930s semis with flat-roofed garages and kitchen extensions, shops with flat-roofed rear stores below flats and terraced streets with flat-roofed rear kitchens and bathrooms. Much of the South East sits in the drier Thames catchment at roughly 730 mm of rain a year, so the usual failures are at joints, upstands and outlets rather than from sheer volume of rain. Approximate 1991–2020 regional averages based on Met Office data.

Building regulations in England

Replacing more than half of a roof over a heated room usually counts as renovating a thermal element, so it is insulated to current standards and notified to building control. Renovated roofs over heated rooms are insulated to around 0.16 W/m²K where that's feasible, and new extension roofs are built to 0.15 W/m²K. In Isle of Wight the application goes to Isle of Wight Council. More on the rules.

How is a green roof built on top of a flat roof?

From the bottom up, a green roof is a deck, a waterproofing system with root protection, then drainage, filter, growing medium and plants. The waterproofing does the job of keeping water out. The green layers sit above it.

  • Warm roof build-up: vapour control layer, insulation and waterproof membrane on the deck, then the green layers on top. This is the usual choice on a home extension being re-roofed.
  • Inverted build-up: waterproofing on the deck, then insulation boards designed to sit above it, then the green layers. This is common on terraces and some commercial roofs.
  • Root barrier: roots will exploit any weakness, so the membrane needs to be root-resistant. Some membranes are tested as root-resistant; others need a separate root barrier laid on top.
  • Drainage and edges: a drainage layer carries surplus water to outlets, and a gravel or pebble strip is usually left around edges, outlets, upstands and rooflights to keep them clear and accessible.

Upstands still need to rise around 150 mm above the finished surface, which on a green roof means above the top of the growing medium. We check that at the survey, alongside the external fire performance of the build-up where the roof is close to a boundary.

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.

Which towns in Isle of Wight do we cover?

Green and sedum roofs in Isle of Wight: questions

Which towns in Isle of Wight do you cover?

All of Isle of Wight. The main towns have their own pages below, and if yours isn't listed we still cover it: send your postcode and we'll confirm.

How much does a green roof cost in Isle of Wight?

£4,850–£8,900 for a 20 m² insulated extension roof finished as a sedum green roof, at South East guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.

Which postcode areas do you cover in Isle of Wight?

All of Isle of Wight, including the PO postcode areas. Send your full postcode and we'll confirm.

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.

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.

Everything about green and sedum roofs → · All flat roofing in Isle of Wight →

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