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Green and sedum roofs across North Yorkshire

If you are planning an extension or replacing a flat roof in North Yorkshire, 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
£4,200–£7,700
Survey
Free for new and replacement roofs
Quote
Fixed, in writing
Coverage
England, Wales, Scotland, NI

North Yorkshire at a glance

Largest towns
York, Middlesbrough, Harrogate, Scarborough
Postcode areas
DL, HG, TS, YO
Building control
City of York Council, Middlesbrough Council, North Yorkshire Council and 2 other councils
Neighbouring areas
County Durham · West Yorkshire · East Riding of Yorkshire · Tyne and Wear
Guide price region
Yorkshire and the Humber (−5% on West Midlands rates)

How much does a green roof cost in North Yorkshire?

Guide prices including VAT at Yorkshire and the Humber 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£4,200–£7,700
Extension (20 m²), EPDM, new deck + insulation£2,650–£4,650

Which flat roofs are common in North Yorkshire?

Flat roofs in North Yorkshire sit on 1930s semis with flat-roofed garages and kitchen extensions, newer estates where the first extension roofs are now being replaced and bungalows with flat-roofed side extensions and dormers. England averages roughly 870 mm of rain a year; the Pennine side of Yorkshire is wetter and windier than the east, so we specify for the site rather than the county. 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 North Yorkshire the application goes to City of York Council, Middlesbrough Council, North Yorkshire Council and 2 other councils. More on the rules.

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.

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 North Yorkshire do we cover?

Green and sedum roofs in North Yorkshire: questions

Which towns in North Yorkshire do you cover?

All of North Yorkshire. 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 North Yorkshire?

£4,200–£7,700 for a 20 m² insulated extension roof finished as a sedum green roof, at Yorkshire and the Humber guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.

Which council handles building control for a flat roof in North Yorkshire?

It depends on where the roof is: in North Yorkshire that's City of York Council, Middlesbrough Council, North Yorkshire Council and 2 other councils. 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. We confirm which applies at the survey.

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.

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 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.

Everything about green and sedum roofs → · All flat roofing in North Yorkshire →

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