Expert Green Roofs in Sherford, Devon

With the way energy prices have been lately, we're all looking for ways to keep the heat in. One of the biggest surprises for our customers in Sherford is just how much a sedum roof can impact their home's temperature. That layer of substrate and vegetation acts as a brilliant natural insulator. In the biting winter winds we often get coming off the coast, it traps heat inside. Conversely, during those rare scorching South West summer days, it prevents the sun from baking your rooms below. It's a simple, effective way to reduce your carbon footprint while making your living space much more comfortable year-round.

Not all green roofs are created equal, and we'll help you decide which one fits your structure best. Most people opt for an 'Extensive' system, which uses hardy sedum plants. These are incredibly low-maintenance and can survive almost anything the Devon weather throws at them. If you're looking for something more ambitious, like a rooftop garden with shrubs or even small trees, we can talk about 'Intensive' systems. We also specialise in biodiverse or 'brown' roofs, designed specifically to support local South Hams pollinators and birds. Whether you want a neat carpet of colour or a wilder look, we'll handle everything from the initial planning to the final planting.

It might sound counterintuitive to put plants and soil on a roof to protect it, but it's actually one of the smartest things you can do. A standard flat roof membrane is constantly attacked by UV rays and temperature fluctuations, which eventually cause it to crack and leak. By installing a green roof, you're shielding that membrane from the elements. We use high-quality root barriers to ensure no thirsty plants ever interfere with your structure, and a specialist drainage layer to manage water flow. Most of the homeowners we speak to are delighted to learn that a well-installed living roof can actually double the life expectancy of the waterproofing underneath.

If you've lived in the South West for any length of time, you know we get more than our fair share of rain. During a heavy downpour in Sherford, our drainage systems can sometimes struggle. This is where 'attenuation' comes in. A green roof acts like a giant sponge, soaking up a huge percentage of rainfall and releasing it slowly back into the atmosphere through the plants. This reduces the immediate pressure on your gutters and the local soakaways. It's a practical, eco-friendly solution to stormwater management that looks a world away from a standard plastic pipe or concrete drain.