Acocks Green at a glance
- Postcode districts
- B27
- Population
- about 26,635 (GeoNames)
- Council area
- Birmingham City Council
- Building approval
- Birmingham City Council building control, or a registered building control approver
- Nearest main town
- Solihull, about 3 miles
- Guide price region
- West Midlands (baseline rates)
Why choose a green roof in Acocks Green?
Garden rooms and outbuildings in Acocks Green, 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.
In and around Acocks Green, flat roofs are typically found on bungalows with flat-roofed side extensions and dormers, and on 1960s and 1970s link-detached houses with flat-roofed garages and porches. England averages roughly 870 mm of rain a year and the West Midlands sits close to that, so falls and outlets are the difference between a roof that drains and one that ponds.
How much does a green roof cost in Acocks Green?
For Acocks Green we use West Midlands rates: £4,400–£8,100 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 | £4,400–£8,100 |
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM, new deck + insulation | £2,800–£4,900 |
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.
What's included?
- Structural check of joists, deck and supports
- Gravel strips kept clear around edges and outlets
- Warm or inverted build-up to suit the roof
- Pre-grown sedum blankets laid and watered in
Building regulations in England
Replacing more than half of a flat roof over a heated room usually counts as renovating a thermal element, so the roof is insulated to around 0.16 W/m²K where that's technically and economically feasible, and the work is notified to building control: the council or a registered building control approver, unless a registered competent person self-certifies it. A roof on a new extension is built to 0.15 W/m²K. Patch repairs, and most unheated detached garages, don't trigger the upgrade. Structural changes, or a new covering that adds 15% or more to the roof's weight, also need approval. More on the rules.
Which nearby areas do we also cover?
- Shirley · 3 mi
- Solihull · 3 mi
- Washwood Heath · 4 mi
- Birmingham · 4 mi
- Smethwick · 7 mi
- Bartley Green · 8 mi
Green and sedum roofs in Acocks Green: questions
Do you cover Acocks Green?
Yes. Acocks Green is part of our West Midlands coverage, including postcode districts B27. 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 Acocks Green?
Where the work needs approval it goes to Birmingham City 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 Acocks Green?
£4,400–£8,100 for a 20 m² insulated extension roof finished as a sedum green roof, at West Midlands guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
Does a green roof leak more than a normal flat roof?
No, as long as it is built correctly. The waterproofing beneath is what keeps water out, and the green layers protect it from sun and weather. The main risk is building it on a weak or ageing membrane.
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.