Green Roof Installation on Historic New Forest Cottage 

We recently installed a green roof on a 250-year-old cottage in the heart of the New Forest. Read on to learn about the steps we took, the challenges we faced, and homeowner Andy's thoughts on the final result!

How the Project Started

Andy Simpson and his family had barely settled into their beautiful New Forest cottage when a problem surfaced. Water was finding its way through the slate roof, trickling down into the kitchen and posing a serious risk of damage to the historic building. It was clear they needed to find a solution soon.

Unfortunately, the shallow pitch of the roof limited their choices to either concrete tiles, which they didn't want, or zinc roofing, which was far too expensive. Then they remembered seeing a different kind of roof while out and about: green roofs!

Green roofs, also known as living or vegetated roofs, are covered with vegetation and a growing medium, planted over a waterproof membrane. Andy and his family were drawn to them because of their natural beauty, which blended perfectly with their bucolic surroundings, and their many ecological benefits. They quickly reached out to local roofing companies to learn more.

Green & Flat Roofing’s very own expert installer Chris was the first specialist with whom the Simpson family connected. After chatting with him on-site, it was clear to Andy that Chris fully grasped their vision and how to make it happen. The family felt confident in his expertise and decided to partner with Green & Flat Roofing to turn their dream roof into a reality.

What We Did

The old building had 250 years’ worth of additions and quirks, which made designing the sedum roof a unique challenge. Each section of the old roof we lifted seemed to reveal another surprise, and improvements in one area often highlighted issues in another. Luckily, we were flexible and adapted our plans to fit the building's complicated layout and Andy's family's wishes. This included expanding the green roof to cover more space, reinforcing the underlying beams, and more.

The finished product was a gorgeous, eco-friendly roof that kept the cottage warmer, prevented leaks, and created a beautiful haven for nature right on top of their home.

Here are some of the most notable elements we focused on:

Insulation

The old roof had minimal insulation, making it a struggle to keep the house warm. To solve this, we installed a warm roof system beneath the green roof. We stripped everything down, made sure it was fully waterproof, and then rebuilt it with new insulation. Now, the house stays warm in winter, cool in summer, and the energy costs are much more affordable all year round.

Aesthetics

It was important that any changes we made blended in both with the style of the house itself and the local area. To achieve this, we spent a lot of time studying the natural landscape and properties surrounding the Simpson home. This helped us design the new features, from the roofline to the plants we used, in a way that echoed the local aesthetic.

Extras

Our work went beyond installing the roof itself! We added some truly unique touches you wouldn't find on a typical job, such as using leadwork for a special aesthetic and reworking the building's existing exterior to match the new cladding.

The showstopper was the custom staircase we built leading up to the roof. It turned the roof into a usable space for Andy and his family, who often go up onto it for picnics or evening drinks with friends. It's also become a great spot to watch the wildlife attracted to the sedum, which really brings home the positive impact the roof is having on the local ecosystem and boosting bio-diversity.

Client Testimonial

“One thing that gave me confidence was the whole team's professional pride. They've got a real passion for what they do. They love the roofing and they love seeing what they can create. I'd say they're complete craftsmen. And not only have they got the skills in what they do, but they absolutely, absolutely love doing it and take pride in doing it.”

“They’re complete craftsmen”

“I'd certainly recommend a green roof to anyone. It's a real statement piece for the house, and it's lovely having visitors come round and comment on how much they enjoy it and how much they'd like to use it as well. And I'd absolutely recommend Green and Flat Roofing to do the job. They've got an excellent passion for it, they've got all the skills, and they were really great guys to have around as well. They gave me a lot of confidence through the process. As for the end result, we couldn't be any more delighted with them!”

Get a Quote on a Stunning Green Roof of Your Own

We at Green & Flat Roofing love a challenge and working through all the intricate details was worth it to see this beautiful roof come to life - just look through the pictures to see for yourself!

Inspired by this transformation? We can help you achieve your own green roof dream. Get a free quote online or give us a call on 02382 512832 to chat about your vision today!

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Green roofs offer both commercial and environmental benefits. From sound-proofing, thermal insulation and durability to providing habitats for wildlife.
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Please note, we cannot quote for any green roof projects under 15m2.
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