- Guide price
- £4,100–£7,500
- Survey
- Free for new and replacement roofs
- Quote
- Fixed, in writing
- Coverage
- England, Wales, Scotland, NI
Northumberland at a glance
- Largest towns
- Blyth, Cramlington, Ashington, Bedlington
- Postcode areas
- NE
- Building control
- Northumberland County Council
- Neighbouring areas
- Tyne and Wear · County Durham · North Yorkshire · Cumbria
- Guide price region
- North East (−7% on West Midlands rates)
How much does a green roof cost in Northumberland?
Guide prices including VAT at North East 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 | £4,100–£7,500 |
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM, new deck + insulation | £2,600–£4,550 |
Which flat roofs are common in Northumberland?
Flat roofs in Northumberland sit on shops with flat-roofed rear stores below flats, terraced streets with flat-roofed rear kitchens and bathrooms and 1930s semis with flat-roofed garages and kitchen extensions. England averages roughly 870 mm of rain a year; the North East is drier than the west but cold and windy near the coast, so wind uplift and freeze-thaw are in the specification. 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 Northumberland the application goes to Northumberland County Council. 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 Northumberland do we cover?
Green and sedum roofs in Northumberland: questions
Which towns in Northumberland do you cover?
All of Northumberland. 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 Northumberland?
£4,100–£7,500 for a 20 m² insulated extension roof finished as a sedum green roof, at North East 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 Northumberland?
It depends on where the roof is: in Northumberland that's Northumberland County Council. 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 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.
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.
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 Northumberland →