luscious green roof on a garden shed

DIY Green Roof Guide

The comprehensive resource for building small scale green roofs on all manner of buildings including garden sheds, garages, carports and house extensions

a green roof on a new bike shed

New Builds

A step by step guide to creating a green roof on a new small scale construction project. Learn as John & Dustytake you through how to accomplish it yourself or provide guidance to your contractors

a small green roof on an old garden shed

Retrofitting

Even the smallest of roof spaces can provide a small haven of beauty and an oasis of biodiversity. The retrofitting section advice can be even used on garden sheds, cycle & bin shelters as the fundamentals remain the same!

green roof details like flues and skylights covered

Detailing

From suggested screw sizes through edge details to drainage suggestions, John & Dusty take you through the process using text, photos, illustrations and videos

plant ideas for a garden shed green roof

Planting Ideas

Plant suggestions focussed on native species that can provide the maximum biodiversity. Separate lists for the UK, Eastern USA & Canada, Mid-West USA

The Green Roof Guide is written for you!

This DIY small green roofs guide is applicable to any viable roof, but is aimed at people wanting to green up an existing or new garden shed, garage or house extension roof which measures up to 60m2.

Small Green Roof Garden Sheds, Garages, House Extensions et al

The Guide can also be used as the basis of the design for new buildings. Especially small outdoor classrooms, summer and garden houses and even a standard flat roof.

We will reiterate this throughout the guide where relevant – but the structural guidance is only a guide. We recommend that a qualified person be contacted to ensure that planned roof have  can take the kind of green roof you want.

Small Green Roofs – Planting and Materials on Green Roofs

As authors we have a preference for native wildflowers, however, it is written for you. Therefore if you want sedums or other exotics you will find everything you will need to know. This includes maintenance and use of materials.  The Green Roofs Guide is written to ensure that you can apply the general principles and achieve the kind of green roof you want.

DIY guide to small green roofs on gardens sheds or extensions

Green Roofs on small buildings can be many things!

Why an Online DIY Green Roof Guide rather than another PDF/eBook?

An online resource let’s us be more dynamic. We regularly update the material. We will add more multimedia items such as videos. When new methods are discovered we will add these to the site. It also allows us to provide relevant articles and case studies.

Occasionally there maybe confusion over terms used in the guide. Or perhaps something is not completely clear. If you are struggling with specific details and need further illumination then queries should be addressed via the Members’ Support Form and we will do our best to answer as quickly and accurately as we can.