South Elmsall at a glance
- Postcode districts
- WF9
- Population
- about 18,835 (GeoNames)
- Council area
- Wakefield Council
- Building approval
- Wakefield Council building control, or a registered building control approver
- Nearest main town
- Doncaster, about 8 miles
- Guide price region
- Yorkshire and the Humber (−5% on West Midlands rates)
Why choose a green roof in South Elmsall?
In a place like South Elmsall, many people look out over a flat extension or garage roof from upstairs. Grey felt or rubber isn't much of a view, and a sedum roof turns it into something green that changes colour through the seasons and flowers in summer.
In a town like South Elmsall, flat roofs are commonly found on lock-up garage blocks on estates or 1930s semis with flat-roofed garages and kitchen extensions. England averages roughly 870 mm of rain a year; the Pennine side of Yorkshire is wetter and windier than the east, so we specify for the site rather than the county.
How much does a green roof cost in South Elmsall?
Guide price in South Elmsall: £4,200–£7,700 for a 20 m² insulated extension roof finished as a sedum green roof, including VAT at Yorkshire and the Humber 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 | £4,200–£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 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?
- Adwick le Street · 4 mi
- Pontefract · 7 mi
- Wath upon Dearne · 7 mi
- Wombwell · 7 mi
- Mexborough · 7 mi
- Doncaster · 8 mi
Green and sedum roofs in South Elmsall: questions
Do you cover South Elmsall?
Yes. South Elmsall is part of our West Yorkshire coverage, including postcode districts WF9. 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 South Elmsall?
Where the work needs approval it goes to Wakefield 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 South Elmsall?
£4,200–£7,700 for a 20 m² insulated extension roof finished as a sedum green roof, at Yorkshire and the Humber 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 a green roof have a rooflight in it?
Yes. The rooflight sits on a raised upstand with a gravel strip around it, so the planting stays clear of the glazing and the upstand stays visible and dry.