Has anyone got a green roof? Do you like it?

[ThePlantsitter]

We're having an extension and thinking/arguing about a green roof. It would have to be the sedum type rather than long grasses etc. DH says it isn't worth the bother but I like the idea of helping pollinators and having more fuzzy green stuff around. We're in London if it matters. What do you think? Do you like yours? Is it a massive faff?

I don’t have one, but I’m a professional gardener and I have thought about it, because they are lovely. Unfortunately they are high maintenance - they still have to be watered whilst establishing and during droughts, and they need weeding like any other garden. So you need good access, and probably a head for heights.

Too much faff for me personally, but I’ve got a large garden that keeps me plenty occupied. If you’ve only got a small space and you love plants and tinkering, then give it a whirl! Just don’t expect to plant it up and leave it.

Thank you, that's really helpful. I think I am maybe being unrealistic about what to expect (and how much effort I will put into it)!

We’ve got one and I love it. Yes, there is some maintenance but it’s so much nicer to look out on (from my study) than a grey membrane, both for us and our neighbours. We installed it ourselves so you don’t need professionals. It also provides extra insulation, both from noise and heat/cold.

We've got one on an outbuilding. It's lovely and needs minimal work (a bit of water when first planted, removal of a few weeds).

Love mine; I have a huge bedroom window and the view is much nicer than black rubber.

It probably needs some weeding, I have done no maintenance however since it was fitted on my new extension last year. It’s sedum but has changed colour and got lots of new bits popping up all the time :)

I’d love one . Please forgive my ignorance, but do you have to mow the roof or do you get special short-growing grass? I’ve got visions of myself coming a cropper standing on the roof to mow it!

Oh it looks lovely @LOTER16178!

Thanks for comments all, I really fancy it!

Bumping for you as I'm fascinated!

Stunning @LOTER16178

Be sure the roof can take the weight first.

We were refused planning permission for one although that’s a few years ago so maybe things have changed. Apparently it didn’t look London enough...

I don’t think the link was proven in this school with the roof and mites but it really put me off the idea of our green roof www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-24212177

Watching as currently building an extension with a green roof... no problems with planning permission as it is at the back, so not visible from the road. Structural engineer had to make sure the design of the extension could take the weight as others have said. Hoping maintenance won’t be too much work although we quite like gardening anyway! It’s single storey so not too high off the ground (though wouldn’t want to fall off it!). We’re also going for the sedum type roof.

Ours wouldn’t have been visible from the road either. It would have spoilt the view of roof tops from people’s upstairs windows apparently. I’d still like one though but DH would do the maintenance.