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Green Roof Installation Market Harborough
A green roof turns a plain flat roof into a carpet of sedum and low plants. It looks good from an upstairs window, soaks up rain, and shields the waterproofing below from sun and frost. Tate & Sons Roofing handles green roof installation in Market Harborough and the wider Harborough District, from a small garage roof to a full extension. We build every one on a sound waterproof base, because a living roof is only as good as the layer beneath it.
This page walks you through the real benefits, the weight your roof has to carry, and the waterproofing that goes underneath. You will see the three green roof types side by side, what each costs, planning rules, and how little upkeep they need. Start with a free drone survey and a written quote before any work begins — no scaffold just to take a look, and no charge either way. A green roof is one part of the wider service we offer as a roofing contractor across Market Harborough.
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What a Green Roof Actually Adds to Your Home
A green roof is more than a nice view. The plants and the growing layer under them do real work every day of the year. They hold back rainwater, so less hits your gutters in a downpour and drains slowly instead.
Here is what a living roof gives you:
- Slower rainwater run-off, which eases the load on your gutters and drains
- Extra insulation that keeps the room below steadier in heat and cold
- A longer life for the waterproofing, shielded from sun and frost
- A softer, quieter roof that cuts noise from rain and traffic
- More greenery for bees, butterflies and garden birds
- A better outlook from any upstairs window that looks down on it
The plants take the daily hit from the weather instead of the membrane. Sun, hail and frost wear a bare roof down over the years. Cover it with sedum and that wear slows right down, so the roof beneath tends to last longer. For an independent read on how these roofs behave, the Green Roof Organisation on how green roofs work is a solid place to start before you commit.
Will Your Roof Take the Weight? Structure Comes First
Every green roof adds weight, and that weight goes up when the plants and growing layer are soaked with rain. This is the first thing we check, before anything else. Get it wrong and you risk the roof deck, not just the plants.
A shallow sedum roof stays fairly light. Saturated, it sits around 50 to 170 kilograms per square metre. A deeper living roof with grasses and small plants can reach 120 to 290 kilograms. A full roof garden with lawns and shrubs climbs past 300 kilograms, and sometimes far more.
Many garage and extension roofs around Lubenham and Foxton take a light sedum roof with little or no extra work. A heavier build-up often needs the structure checked by a structural engineer first. We tell you which camp your roof falls into after the survey, in plain terms, so you are not guessing. There is no point planning a roof garden on a deck that was only ever built for felt.
The Waterproofing Under a Green Roof Matters Most
The plants get the attention, but the layer you never see does the real job. Under every green roof sits a full waterproof system, and it has to be right first time. Once the soil and plants go on top, you cannot easily get back to a leak.
A proper green roof build-up runs in this order from the deck up:
- A sound waterproof membrane bonded to the deck, sealed at every edge
- A root barrier that stops plant roots reaching the membrane
- A drainage layer that holds some water and lets the rest run off
- A filter sheet that keeps soil out of the drainage below
- The growing layer, or substrate, at the depth your plants need
- The sedum mat or planting on top
We build most green roofs over an EPDM rubber base, because it comes in big sheets with few joints and stands up to years under soil. Our Flat Roofing and EPDM Rubber Roofing pages cover the systems we lay beneath the greenery. The root barrier is the part people forget — skip it and roots find their way into the waterproofing over time. We never leave it out.
Extensive, Semi-Intensive or Intensive — Which Green Roof Suits You
Three green roof types cover almost every job. Each suits a different weight budget, a different look, and a different amount of upkeep. In short: an extensive sedum roof is light, cheap and low-fuss, and it fits most garages and extensions. A semi-intensive roof adds grasses and small plants but needs more weight and care. An intensive roof is a true garden with lawns and shrubs, and only a strong structure will take it. A survey settles which one your roof can carry.
Ryan Tate, our project manager, builds these systems and knows which one your roof will carry. He will talk you through the choice in plain English, matched to your deck, your budget and how much upkeep you fancy.
| :-: | :-: | :-: | :-: |
| Green roof type | Depth & saturated weight | Typical cost (per m²) | Maintenance & best for |
| Extensive (sedum) | 50–150mm; 50–170 kg/m² | £50–£100 | Low; one or two visits a year; garages, extensions and sheds |
| Semi-intensive | 100–200mm; 120–290 kg/m² | £100–£200 | Moderate; grasses and small plants; larger flat roofs |
| Intensive (roof garden) | 200mm+; 200–500 kg/m² | £150–£300 | High; lawns, shrubs, real gardening; strong structures only |
- **Extensive sedum*is the one we fit most. It goes on as a pre-grown mat, stays light, and asks for barely any care. Ideal for a garage or extension roof where you want the look and the run-off benefit without the weight.
- **Semi-intensive*adds a deeper layer, so you can mix in grasses and small flowering plants. It weighs more and needs a check on the structure, but gives a richer look than sedum alone.
- **Intensive*is a proper roof garden you can walk on, with lawn, shrubs and even small trees. It is heavy and needs a structure built for it, plus regular gardening like any bed at ground level.
What a Green Roof Costs in Market Harborough
Cost comes down to three things: the type of green roof, the size, and the state of the roof underneath.
As a general guide, an extensive sedum roof runs roughly £50 to £100 per square metre supplied and fitted. A semi-intensive roof sits around £100 to £200, and a full intensive roof garden lands between £150 and £300. For a typical 20 square metre garage or extension roof, a sedum finish works out at around £1,000 to £2,000, on top of any waterproofing the roof needs first.
What pushes a price up or down:
- **Green roof type*— a light sedum mat costs far less than a deep, planted build-up
- **The waterproofing below*— a fresh membrane and root barrier add to a roof that has none
- **Structural work*— a heavier roof may need the deck strengthened before the greenery goes on
- **Access*— soil and plants reached only by ladder cost more to lift up than an easy roof
- **Edges and drainage*— more upstands, outlets and trims mean more labour per square metre
These are general market ranges, not a quote for your roof. Two roofs the same size can price very differently once access, waterproofing and structure are factored in. The only way to a firm figure is a proper survey — which is exactly what our free drone survey gives you, followed by a clear written price with nothing added later. A fixed price needs a survey.
Green Roofs on Garages and Extensions
Most green roofs we fit go on a garage or a single-storey extension. These flat roofs are the natural home for sedum, and you get the view from the windows above. A light sedum mat is the usual pick, since it rarely asks much of the structure.
A green roof does not normally need planning permission on a house or garage. Fitting a thin sedum roof that keeps the same height and shape counts as a minor change. Listed buildings and conservation areas are the exception, and they need consent first. Parts of Great Bowden and Foxton sit in areas where the planners look harder at visible roof changes, so we check that before we quote. Where an extension carries a green roof as a planning condition, a maintenance plan is often part of the deal, and we set that out for you.
A Little Maintenance Keeps a Green Roof Thriving
A sedum roof is close to hands-off, but it is not no-hands. A couple of visits a year keep it healthy and the drainage clear. None of this needs a specialist once the roof is in.
- Check the plants in spring and autumn and pull any stray weeds
- Clear leaves and debris from outlets and gutters so water drains
- Give the sedum a feed in spring if it looks tired or patchy
- Water it in a long dry spell during the first year while it beds in
- Look over the edges and upstands once a year for any damage
A heavier planted roof asks for more, closer to tending a garden bed. Sedum, by contrast, is chosen because it copes with dry roofs and shrugs off neglect better than most plants. Keep the outlets clear and it will look after itself for years. We hand over care notes on the day we finish, so you know exactly what to do and when.
Why Market Harborough Homeowners Call Tate & Sons First
You are not just buying plants — you are buying whoever builds the roof under them. Ryan Tate, our project manager, joined the trade full-time after his NVQ Level 3 in Roofing, and specialises in modern flat and EPDM systems and green-roof build-ups. He is out on site with the crew that fits your roof, not just the man who quoted it. A living roof leans on the waterproofing below, and that is his patch.
Founder Michael Tate started his apprenticeship at sixteen and built Tate & Sons on one conviction: get the survey right and fix the cause, not just the symptom. He still surveys jobs himself. Between us we carry over 45 years of combined experience, hold NVQ Level 2 and 3 qualifications in Roofing Occupations, and keep CSCS cards and NFRC trade-body membership. Hannah Freeman, our office manager, keeps you posted from the first phone call through to final inspection, so nothing slips between the drone survey and the finished roof. Read more about the people behind the work on our About Tate & Sons Roofing page.
Areas We Serve Across Market Harborough and the Harborough District
We install green roofs across Market Harborough and the surrounding Welland Valley villages. If your area is not on the list below, call us anyway — if you are nearby, there is a strong chance we cover you.
- Market Harborough (LE16)
- Great Bowden (LE16 7)
- Little Bowden (LE16 8)
- Lubenham (LE16 9)
- Foxton (LE16 7)
- Medbourne (LE16 8)
- Kibworth Beauchamp (LE8)
- Great Glen (LE8 9)
- Fleckney (LE8 8)
- Husbands Bosworth (LE17 6)
- Desborough (NN14 2)
Got Questions?
Your Green Roof Questions, Answered Properly
Do I need planning permission for a green roof?
Usually not. A green roof on a house or garage counts as a minor change, so long as it keeps the same roof height and shape. A thin sedum mat almost never needs permission on its own. Listed buildings and conservation areas are the exception and need consent first. Parts of Great Bowden and Foxton get a closer look from the planners, so we always check before we quote.
Will my roof take the weight of a green roof?
Many will, but this is the first thing we check. A soaked sedum roof adds around 50 to 170 kilograms per square metre, which most garage and extension decks handle. A deeper planted roof weighs more and often needs a structural engineer to sign it off. We never load a roof it was not built to carry. The survey tells us exactly what your deck can take before any plants go on.
What goes under a green roof to keep it waterproof?
A full waterproof system sits below every green roof. From the deck up, that is a bonded membrane, a root barrier, a drainage layer, a filter sheet, then the growing layer and plants. The root barrier is the part that stops roots reaching and piercing the waterproofing over time. We build most green roofs over an EPDM rubber base, since it comes in large sheets with few joints. Get this layer right and the roof stays dry for decades.
How much does a green roof cost in Market Harborough?
As a general guide, an extensive sedum roof runs around £50 to £100 per square metre supplied and fitted. A semi-intensive roof sits near £100 to £200, and a full roof garden climbs to £150 to £300. Any waterproofing or structural work the roof needs first is on top of that. A free drone survey gives you an exact written price rather than a rough phone estimate. A fixed price always needs a survey first.
Can I put a green roof on my garage or extension?
Very often, yes. Garages and single-storey extensions are the most common spot for a green roof, and a light sedum mat suits them well. We check the structure and the waterproofing first, then advise which type your roof can carry. A flat or gently sloping roof works best, so water drains and plants stay put. Most of these jobs take a light sedum finish with little or no extra strengthening.
How much maintenance does a green roof need?
A sedum roof needs very little — a check in spring and autumn, and the outlets kept clear. Pull the odd weed, give it a feed in spring if it looks tired, and water it in a long dry spell during the first year. A deeper planted roof asks for more, closer to tending a garden bed. Sedum is picked because it copes with dry roofs and shrugs off neglect. We hand over care notes on the day we finish.
What is the difference between a sedum roof and a living roof?
People use both terms loosely, and they overlap. A sedum roof is a specific, light extensive roof planted with hardy sedum, the kind that copes with dry, shallow soil. A living roof is the broader term for any planted roof, from that same sedum mat up to a full garden. In practice, most home green roofs are sedum, because they stay light and need little care. The heavier planted roofs are less common on houses and garages.
How long does a green roof last, and will it leak?
A well-built green roof lasts a long time, and often outlives a bare flat roof. The plants shield the waterproofing from sun and frost, which are what wear a membrane down. It should not leak, as long as the waterproofing and root barrier were fitted right at the start. That is why we take such care with the layer under the plants. Keep the drainage clear and a sedum roof will run happily for decades.
Book Your Free Drone Roof Survey Today
See exactly what your roof needs before any work starts. No ladders, no pressure — just a clear picture from a local Market Harborough team.
A green roof only works when the layer beneath it is right, and a quick survey tells you where you stand. We check the structure, the waterproofing and the drainage, then set out a clear written price. Book now, get an honest quote, and turn a plain flat roof into one that soaks up rain and looks good doing it.
ð 5 Hood Close, Market Harborough, LE16 9XS
ð 01858 457600
Call the Market Harborough team today on 01858 457600, or request your free drone survey online. We're already working across your area.
Book Your Free Drone Roof Survey
See exactly where your roof stands, with no obligation and no pressure. Call our Market Harborough team or request your free drone survey today.
Get in Touch
Tate & Sons Roofing — Market Harborough Office
5 Hood Close, Market Harborough, LE16 9XS
📞 01858 457600
✉️ [email protected]