Creating a Green Roof on Your Shed

Is your garden feeling a little bland? Are you looking for new ways to live a greener lifestyle? If so, your shed roof is a great place to start!

With so much space left unused, adding a green roof is the perfect way to intrigue your garden. This is especially beneficial for gardeners with small gardens.

Rising in popularity, green roofs are great for the environment and can add a few extra years to your garden shed. Stick with Atlas Sheds as we walk you through how to create a green roof for your shed.

What is a Green Roof?

A green roof involves transforming the roof of a building or structure into a mini garden (in its most simple terms.)

Unlike traditional roofs, green roofs are covered in vegetation that has been planted over a waterproof membrane. Green roofs can range from simple and low maintenance, with grass and a few plants, or more advanced, with heavier vegetation and a wide range of plants.

These ‘living’ roofs blend in with nature, making them appealing both to the eyes and the health of the planet. However, these aren’t a new invention; people in Mesopotamia started this hack by covering their homes in mud and vegetation for insulation.

The Benefits of a Green Roof

If you’re looking for new ways to contribute to the environment and make your garden prettier to look at, then you’ve found your solution.

Green roofs offer plenty of benefits for your shed and the planet, offering the best of both worlds.

Eco-friendly: Green roofs support biodiversity in your garden, attracting pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and birds. This gives wildlife more places to flourish and helps nature rebuild itself. It can also absorb air pollution!
Rainwater management: Green roofs offer natural protection against water runoff on your shed and flooding, absorbing moisture. This offers the perfect opportunity for plants to thrive and reduces pressure on local drainage systems.
Increased shed lifespan: Green roofs can prevent leaks in your shed, increasing its lifespan and lowering the risk of mould and mildew from water damage.
Improved insulation: A natural insulator, green roofs provide an extra layer of warmth to your shed in the winter for a cosy environment and reduce heat in the summer.
Sound insulation: As well as regulating temperature, green roofs can prevent sound transmission from rain or external sources. This is perfect for garden offices, preventing distraction.
Visual appeal: If your shed isn’t the best to look at, a green roof can make it more interesting, blending in with your garden. This creates a more relaxing and serene environment.

Types of Green roofs

Depending if you have green fingers or not, there is a low-maintenance green roof or an advanced green roof to choose from.

1. Extensive Green Roofs

These involve planting drought-tolerant plants like grasses and sedum.
It’s lightweight, requiring less structural support.
Requires minimal maintenance, ideal for busy homeowners.

2. Intensive Green Roofs

These include more shrubs, larger plants, or small trees, resulting in a heavier roof.
High maintenance with more watering and fertilising.
It’s more suited for larger buildings or sheds with significant reinforcement.

How to Make a Green Roof

Now for the fun part!

Follow our easy guide to create your own green roof for your shed.

Materials Needed

Waterproof membrane
Roofing adhesive, nails, or staple gun
Root barrier
Drainage mats
Green roof substrate (soil, sand, and perlite)
Vegetation (sedum, wildflower seeds, drought-tolerant grass)
Metal or wooden edging
Reinforcement timber, brackets, and screws (to strengthen shed)
Tools (measuring tape, utility knife, drill and screwdriver, rake, watering can)

1. Check Your Shed’s Structure

Before you begin anything, you need to make sure your shed can support the weight of a green roof.

Check for signs of structural damage, such as cracks, dents, and moisture damage. Repair any issues before continuing.

If your shed is on its way out, reinforce the roof and walls by installing extra timber or metal brackets to help support the extra load. This way, you won’t have to worry about the roof caving in whilst you’re relaxing in your shed.

Green roofs are best suited for roofs that are sloped by 1° to 5°; for steeper roofs, add retention systems to prevent soil from sliding off.

2. Build a Tanalised Roof Frame

No matter what shed you have, you will need to build a wooden frame above the roof for added strength.

Measure the dimensions of your shed with a measuring tape and cut the tanalised timber to size. The frame will need to cover a 3 cm lip around the roof felt. At regular intervals (every 40-50 cm), cover the edges of the roof with cross-supports. Leave the lowest part of the roof off until you’ve fitted the waterproof membrane.

To do this, attach the perimeter pieces around the edges, securing them with heavy-duty brackets and screws (drill pilot holes beforehand). Then, add the cross supports between the perimeter beams, spacing them evenly. Secure with metal plates and galvanised screws.

Apply a wood sealant for extra protection against moisture, and drill holes in the side of the frame closest to the ground for effective drainage.

3. Install the Waterproof Membrane

Now, attach a waterproof membrane such as EPDM rubber, pond liner, or PVC.

With a utility knife, cut the sheet to the size of your shed roof, leaving 5 to 10 cm extra around the edges to allow for trimming later. Apply adhesive across the timber frame to secure the membrane, or use roofing nails to attach it, placing the nails every 20 to 30 cm along the frame.

A staple gun is also effective at securing the membrane to your frame. Make sure it’s smooth to avoid any air bubbles! Once it’s fit, secure the front part of the frame to your shed. Trim the excess membrane, but leave it to slightly overlap the roof felt at the front, folding over it to allow for water runoff.

4. Add a Protective Fleece Layer

Cut your root barrier (sedum fleece) to the same size as your waterproof membrane. Then, lay it flat against the roof with no wrinkles.

If necessary, overlap the fleece edges by at least 10 to 15 cm for full coverage. If you live in a windy area, secure the layer in place with clips or adhesive at the edges. Trim any excess material with a utility knife.

5. Create a Drainage Layer

To prevent water flow and waterlogging, place a drainage mat or a thin layer of gravel or crushed stone over the fleece layer.

Spread the drainage mat across the shed, cutting it to size, or add 2 to 3 cm of gravel or crushed stone to your roof. Make sure the drainage layer reaches the edge of the roof without blocking any drainage outlets.

6. Spread the Growing Medium

Now it’s time to start adding the greenery!

For an extensive green roof, add 5 to 8 cm of pre-made green roof substrate to your roof. If you’re creating an intensive green roof, add 10 to 15 cm of the growing medium. Use the flat end of your rake to spread the medium evenly.

Lightly compact the substrate with your hands to provide better root contact for the plants.

7. Add your Plants

This part is entirely up to you!

For a simple roof, you could add sedum blankets, cutting them to size before laying them. These are easy to water and provide a nice touch. Alternatively, you could buy pre-vegetated mats for a head start.

To apply drought-tolerant grass, herbs, or lightweight plants, use your rake to create shallow holes in your growing medium and place the plants in each hole, spacing them evenly. Seed mixes are also great for growing your own plants.

Water regularly to keep your green roof healthy and vibrant!

Go Green with Atlas Sheds

We hope that you’ve enjoyed our blog on how to make a green roof on a shed!

If your old shed isn’t up to the challenge, why not invest in a durable, modern shed with Atlas Sheds? Made from sustainably sourced timber (and with a beautiful range of designs to choose from), your garden will be transformed into your dream space.

Our pent-roof sheds are ideal for creating a green roof. For something a bit more luxurious, browse our stunning range of summer houses, garden offices, and garden rooms today!