Green and sedum roofs across Tyne and Wear

Guide price

£4,100–£7,500

Survey

Free for new and replacement roofs

Quote

Fixed, in writing

Coverage

England, Wales, Scotland, NI

How much does a green roof cost in Tyne and Wear?

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

Which flat roofs are common in Tyne and Wear?

Flat roofs in Tyne and Wear sit on low-rise post-war blocks of flats, shops with flat-roofed rear stores below flats 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 Tyne and Wear the application goes to Newcastle City Council, Sunderland City Council, South Tyneside Council and 2 other councils. More on the rules.

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.

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.

Which towns in Tyne and Wear do we cover?

• Newcastle upon Tyne
• Sunderland
• South Shields
• Washington
• Wallsend
• Newburn
• Whitley Bay
• Houghton-Le-Spring
• Felling
• Jarrow
• Gosforth
• Whickham
• Blaydon-on-Tyne

Everything about green and sedum roofs → · All flat roofing in Tyne and Wear →