Rhondda at a glance
- Postcode districts
- CF43
- Population
- about 69,506 (GeoNames)
- Council area
- Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
- Building approval
- Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council building control, or a registered building control approver
- Nearest main town
- Cardiff, about 17 miles
- Guide price region
- Wales (−8% on West Midlands rates)
Why choose a green roof in Rhondda?
Garden rooms and outbuildings in Rhondda, as elsewhere, often have small flat roofs that are seen from the house and garden. A sedum finish helps them blend in, provided the structure is strong enough and the roof underneath is built properly.
Rhondda's flat roofs are mostly on shops with flat-roofed rear stores below flats, with plenty on 1930s semis with flat-roofed garages and kitchen extensions too. Wales averages roughly 1,460 mm of rain a year, among the wettest in Britain, so we design for steady run-off: proper falls, clear outlets and upstands well above the finished roof.
How much does a green roof cost in Rhondda?
For Rhondda we use Wales rates: £4,050–£7,450 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 | £4,050–£7,450 |
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM, new deck + insulation | £2,600–£4,500 |
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?
- Gravel strips kept clear around edges and outlets
- Drainage layer, filter and lightweight growing medium
- Root-resistant membrane or separate root barrier
- Pre-grown sedum blankets laid and watered in
Building regulations in Wales
The Welsh Approved Document L applies. Renovating more than half of a roof over a heated room means upgrading it to around 0.16 W/m²K where feasible, and new extension roofs are built to 0.13 W/m²K. Welsh Government guidance is that most re-roofing needs building control approval, so check whenever more than a quarter of a roof is replaced or repaired. We deal with the application as part of the job. More on the rules.
Which nearby areas do we also cover?
Green and sedum roofs in Rhondda: questions
Do you cover Rhondda?
Yes. Rhondda is part of our Rhondda Cynon Taf coverage, including postcode districts CF43. 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 Rhondda?
Where the work needs approval it goes to Rhondda Cynon Taf County 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 Rhondda?
£4,050–£7,450 for a 20 m² insulated extension roof finished as a sedum green roof, at Wales guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
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 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.