East Kilbride at a glance
- Postcode districts
- G74
- Population
- about 75,310 (GeoNames)
- Council area
- South Lanarkshire Council
- Building approval
- South Lanarkshire Council building standards
- Nearest main town
- Glasgow, about 8 miles
- Guide price region
- Scotland (−5% on West Midlands rates)
Why choose a green roof in East Kilbride?
Rainwater from flat roofs in East Kilbride runs off quickly in heavy showers. A green roof holds some of that water back and releases it more slowly, which is one reason some owners and developers choose one. The flowering sedum also draws in bees and other insects.
In a large town like East Kilbride, flat roofs are commonly found on bungalows with flat-roofed side extensions and dormers or 1960s and 1970s link-detached houses with flat-roofed garages and porches. Scotland averages roughly 1,570 mm of rain a year, with the west far wetter than the east, so drainage, falls and wind uplift are part of every specification we write.
How much does a green roof cost in East Kilbride?
At Scotland 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 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.
What's included?
- Drainage layer, filter and lightweight growing medium
- Root-resistant membrane or separate root barrier
- Structural check of joists, deck and supports
- Pre-grown sedum blankets laid and watered in
Building standards in Scotland
In Scotland the building standards technical handbooks (Section 6 for energy) apply, and the council's building standards service decides whether a building warrant is needed. Like-for-like repairs to a roof covering can be exempt; alterations, structural work and new roofs usually need a warrant before work starts. The domestic roof benchmark is 0.12 W/m²K, applied as far as reasonably practicable on an existing roof. More on the rules.
Which nearby areas do we also cover?
Green and sedum roofs in East Kilbride: questions
Do you cover East Kilbride?
Yes. East Kilbride is part of our South Lanarkshire coverage, including postcode districts G74. Surveys and roofs are carried out by vetted roofing teams working under S&K Property Investments and Improvement Ltd.
Who checks building standards for a flat roof in East Kilbride?
Where the work needs approval it goes to South Lanarkshire Council building standards. 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 East Kilbride?
£4,200–£7,700 for a 20 m² insulated extension roof finished as a sedum green roof, at Scotland guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
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.