Green roofs

There are wide range of options when looking at green roofs. It doesn't even have to be green! The main options are:

Sedum roof - a light weight option that provides you with a reliable and maintenance free green roof.

Turf roof - these are more traditional, but are much heavier and so require a more substantial roof structure.

Plug roof - these use succulents in a lighter weight structure than the turf roof, but they are still quite substantial.

Brown roof - these are roofs that use waste materials like broken bricks and stone to create a covering that protects the roof and also provides a habitat for alpines, bugs etc.

The advantages of a 'green' roof are that they: prolong the life span of the roof (normally at least doubling it); they can also reduce peak surface run-off; provide a new habitat; cool urban heat islands; and are aesthetically pleasing.

DIY kits

There are a couple of companies now who can provide small kits for DIY green roofs - idea for flat roof extensions and garages etc. We deal with Sky Gardens as they provide the sedum as well as the membranes. Contact us here for a quote for a sedum roof. Prices start from £ 50 per sq m.

However if you are looking for a turf roof / brown roof then a 9 sq m kit is available through the Eco Home Centre for the Safeguard Europe kit. This is a kit with the membranes and fleeces only and retail at £ 150. Sedum and all the necessary substrates will be approx. £ 46 per sq m in addition.

Please note that all kits require a root and water tight roof to be mounted on. Care must also be taken with the weight of the roof to ensure that the structure is capable of taking a green roof.