Step-by-step plan for a successful result
Installing a sedum roof is easier than you think! Using our instructional videos and additional tips, it will not only be done safely but also quickly!
Use the table of contents to quickly learn everything. Still have questions? Ask the chat or send us an email.
Table of contents
Why choose a sedum roof?
A sedum roof is a sustainable investment that benefits both the environment and your wallet. It offers excellent insulation, reducing your energy costs. Sedum plants are drought-resistant, require little maintenance and contribute to better water management by storing rainwater. This prevents sewer overload. In addition, a sedum roof increases biodiversity by attracting bees and butterflies and filters particulate matter from the air. In addition, it can increase the value of your home and subsidies are available. In short, a sedum roof is a smart choice for a greener, cheaper and more sustainable future. You can read more about the benefits here.
Installing a sedum roof starts with the right preparation
If you are going to install your sedum roof yourself, there are a few steps we recommend you do before you start. After all, good preparation is half the battle.
Safety
Make sure you have a sturdy ladder, good gloves, good tools and sturdy shoes. Remember that you are working on a roof and stay aware of your surroundings.
Clean your roof
Be sure to clean your roof well with a broom and remove debris such as leaves, mud, branches and other types of debris that do not belong on the roof.
Use good tools
Make sure your tools are nearby and easily accessible. Be careful with sharp objects such as (Stanley) knives and saws that they do not poke or stab into the roofing.
Safety
It works best if you ask a friend/neighbor or partner to help with the construction. That way you have someone on the roof and someone downstairs who can point everything out or already cut to size on the ground. That way you can work efficiently and safely.
Preparation: installing sedum roof
Of course, laying a sedum roof starts with proper preparation. Much you can do the day beforehand or simply before you start laying it. A sedum roof is also often called a green roof. Want to know exactly what this means? Then take a look at this page for more information!
Step 1: Choose the right sedum roof package
Installing a sedum roof starts with choosing the right sedum roof package. At Sedumworld, we only offer extensive sedum roofs. These lightweight roofs are planted with succulents (sedum), mosses and herbs, making them not only practical, but also perfect for self-installation! For most cases, a lightweight sedum roof package will be the ideal choice. This type of sedum roof is specifically designed for lightweight structures such as outbuildings, sheds, porches and even home roofs. Its low weight makes it easy to install and suitable for a wide range of buildings.
Not quite sure which package you want yet? Then check out our checklist!
Step 2: Apply for a green roof grant
When thinking about installing a green roof, you should also consider subsidies. Many municipalities, in fact, offer financial support for green roof construction. These subsidies can significantly reduce the costs, making the investment in a green roof more attractive. In Utrecht, for example, you can apply for subsidies to build a green roof on your house, barn, business premises or other building.
Combining this subsidy with Sedumworld’s lowest price guarantee makes installing a green roof even more affordable. Wondering how much constructing a green roof will cost you? Check out this page.
Step 3: Examine your roofing & drainage.
Before you start installing a green roof, it is important to check your roof properly. Go up on the roof and check the condition of the roofing. Check to see if it is still in good condition or damaged. In doubt? Feel free to send us a picture via WhatsApp and we’ll take a look with you!
In addition, it is smart to check how much water remains on your roof. Is this less than 1 cm? Then you can proceed to the next step without any problems. Is there more water? That means your roof is not draining properly, which can cause the roots of the sedum to rot. In that case, it is important to solve the drainage problem first.
Step 4: Location of sedum roof
It is also important that the location of the sedum roof is good. This means that the green roof is in the sun for 4 to 6 hours. Sedum, in fact, needs sunlight to grow.
Step 5: Pick the right time of year
The last step is to decide when you want your green roof package delivered and installed. At Sedumworld, this can be done year-round because a green roof can be installed in all seasons.
There are some points of interest, though. If it is freezing, it is important not to work because the sedum plants may break. Do you choose a warm period? Then make sure you process the green roof package within 48 hours to prevent the plants from drying out. In cold weather, you have a little more time to install the package. So plan smart and consider the weather conditions for the best results!
Step 6: Do it yourself or have it installed?
After going through the roadmap, do you still have doubts, or does your roof structure appear complex? Then you can always choose to have your sedum roof to be installed by a specialist. Also for this you can go to Sedumworld. You can order this here. The price depends on your distance from our office. As largest sedum roof shop of the Netherlands offers Sedumworld not only materials, but also advice and installation support.
Please feel free to contact the experts at Sedumworld for a no-obligation consultation. They can help you choose the right sedum roof package and give tips on installation. And if you prefer to outsource the job, we can SedumWorld the green roof laying out for you. We have professional and vca certified installers for expertly installing your green roof.
The installation videos
Installation instructions for sedum mat package
Step 1. Root barrier film
[Optional, if you have root resistant membrane ] This step is optional because the drainage is already 2-sided root resistant. Do you have a weak or old roof? Then we recommend that you still use an additional root resistant liner.
Unfold the root resistant film on the roof. It is important to lay this foil down to the eaves so that the entire roof is well protected and covered.
You can cut the foil to size in several ways. Use scissors or a Stanley knife. Be careful not to cut into the roofing membrane/ bitumen. This can lead to leakage. We recommend lifting the foil from the roof or placing a board under the foil so that you can cut quietly without potentially damaging the roof.
Step 2. Drainage mat
A drainage mat allows water to run off and keep the roots from rotting. In addition, this mat is root resistant.
Roll out the drainage mat perpendicular to the root-proof membrane.
Make sure the fabric-like fleece is pointing upward. Make sure the fleece overlaps the adjacent drainage mat. Do this by folding it out. You can cut the drainage mat to size yourself with a Stanley knife. Save any leftover pieces you cut off; they may come in handy later to seal the roof.
Lay the drainage layer up to the eaves.
Step 3. Rainwater drainage
Cut out a square in the just laid (foil) and drainage mat around your rainwater drain. Press a ball grid into the rainwater drain to keep it free of leaves and other debris. Again, be careful not to cut into the roofing membrane.
It is possible to place an angle profile on the drainage layer. This corner profile is standard not necessary for the sedum mix at the rainwater drain because there is also a layer of gravel laid which is more than sufficient to separate rainwater drain and sedum.
Around other penetrations in your roof such as skylights, chimney, etc. – you can also optionally place an extra corner profile. Again, however, gravel has the same function as separation between sedum and roof penetration. Always keep a 10cm edge of gravel.
Roof edge profiles are thus optional and serve primarily aesthetic purposes.
Step 4. Edge profiles with gravel (optional)
[Optional] Would you like gravel around your Sedum roof? Then you can use roof edge profiles as a separation between the sedum and gravel. Want to know more about whether you need this? Read more here.
However, this is optional and almost never necessary with our Sedum system. It can be installed for aesthetic reasons or if the roof edge is less than 4 cm high (the Sedum should never extend over the edge). Roof edge profiles are also often used as a separation between two roofs if, for example, you have a shared shed of which only one half is covered with sedum.
Place the roof edge profiles on the drainage mat and fill the space between the roof edge and the profile with gravel. The profiles are 60/40mm. It is important that with this system you place the 60mm edge on the drainage so that the 40mm stays up as an edge.
Are you not using a border profile? Then it is often easier to add gravel last.
Step 5. Substrate roll
The substrate roll serves as a growing medium for the sedum mat. It allows the sedum to take root and has good retention and water absorption. The roll is made of rock wool fibers and is 20mm or 40mm thick.
Always use gloves and long sleeves when laying the substrate roll, as rock wool fibers can irritate and itch the skin.
Roll the substrate roll across the drainage mat. Wet the roll well before placing the sedum on it to encourage root growth.
If you want to lay a gravel edge around the sedum, lay the substrate roll 10 cm from the eaves. Keep leftover pieces well, as they can come in handy later to cover the roof.
Step 6. Sedum mats
Roll the sedum mats across the substrate rollers. Make sure the mats are neatly aligned. Again, it is important not to throw away leftover pieces but to save them. You can make good use of these scraps to fill in any bald patches. It is best to cut the sedum mix mat with a serrated knife, bread knife or sharp Stanley knife. You can also cut the mats to size if you need a narrower strip, for example. In that case, first roll up the mat and cut it.
The rolls can be heavy due to moisture still in the mats, especially if it has rained the days before. So don’t lift from your back but from your legs.
Step 7. Watering
Saturate your green roof with water. It is very important to water your green roof a lot immediately after installation. Use a garden hose to water well, or connect the garden hose to a (Gardena) sprinkler that you move regularly. The roof is saturated when the water begins to drain through the storm drain. Start spraying as far away from the sky drain as possible.
The mats don’t have deep roots yet, so pay close attention to the weather for the first three weeks. Is it very hot? Then give your mats lots of water again. Repeat this once or twice a week for the first three weeks, depending on the weather. See more about aftercare for your Sedum roof here.
Share your beautiful sedum roof on social media! Don’t forget to tag us 😉.
Installation instructions for sedum cassettes package
Step 1. Protective canvas
Unfold the protective cloth on the roof. It is important to lay the protective cloth down to the eaves so that the entire roof is well protected and covered.
You can cut the protective cloth to size in different ways. Ideally, however, use scissors or a Stanley knife. Be careful not to cut into the roofing membrane. This can lead to leakage.
We recommend lifting the protective canvas from the roof or placing a board under the canvas so you can cut quietly without touching the roofing sheet.
Step 2. Rainwater drainage
Push a ball wire grate into the rainwater drain to keep it free of leaves and other debris.
Step 3. Installing sedum cassettes
Place the Sedum Trays on the roof starting at any corner. The Trays are made so that they can always be pushed together. Depending on which side you place first, the next tray can always be inserted in a logical way.
Then place each Tray in the same direction as you started.
Step 4. Sedum cassettes in the other places
Place the remaining trays each time in the fit as indicated in the previous tray. The sedum trays can only be placed together in 1 way.
Step 5. Place further per row
Continue placing the trays and complete row by row. After placing a few rows of sedum trays, it already starts to look pretty much like a nice Topgreen roof.
Step 6. Sawing cassettes
You can cut the Trays to size in places where a full tray will no longer fit. To do this, place the Tray on a solid and elevated surface such as pallets or a workbench/table. You can easily cut through the Tray with a handsaw. Measure well in advance where you want to saw through the Tray so that the remaining part fits properly at the designated place.
NOTE: It is best to cut all Trays in the same way where they are all cut in half on the same side. This is because this way all the sawed off trays can be pushed back together in the same way.
Step 7. Place cut sedum trays inside.
Place the sawed-off Tray in its designated place on the roof. Be sure to place the sawed-off part inward against the other Tray.
This ensures that the substrate and vegetation in the Tray stays in place and cannot be washed away by rainwater. In addition, this way you always have an outer edge in your green roof and it remains a beautiful whole.
Step 8. Watering
Saturate your sedum roof with water. It is very important to water your Sedum roof a lot immediately after installation. Use a garden hose to water well, or connect the garden hose to a (Gardena) sprinkler that you move regularly. The roof is saturated when the water begins to drain through the storm drain. Start spraying as far away from the sky drain as possible.
The mats don’t have deep roots yet, so pay close attention to the weather for the first three weeks. Is it very hot? Then give your mats lots of water again. Repeat this once or twice a week for the first three weeks, depending on the weather. See more about aftercare for your Sedum roof here.
Share your beautiful sedum roof on social media! Don’t forget to tag us 😉.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Prevent leaks: when leaks occur afterwards, it is always because people have punctured through the roofing material. So pay extra attention to this.
Throw away mats: if you have leftover sedum, tear it off the mat and use it to fill up your roof. Do you really have a lot left? Then you can always put it in the garden.
Do not water immediately: The plants need a lot of water right away to get through the root period.
Immediate aftercare: Fertilizing & watering
The first 2 weeks after installing your sedum roof, it is important to water your roof properly. This is because the first few weeks the roof is not yet well rooted.
The final step of installing your sedum roof is fertilizing. The mats do not have a deep substrate and need fertilizer to grow. Order directly with your order or order it on sedum-fertilizer.com (it is a good idea to wait a month before applying fertilizer to give the plants time to get used to their new environment).
Maintenance
Once you’ve installed a beautiful sedum roof, it’s time to think about maintenance. Maintenance is only required twice a year. We have created a special page for this! So you know exactly what to expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Municipality of Venray processes applications within a few weeks. After approval, the amount will be deposited into your account. Please make sure you provide all required documents correctly to avoid delays.
No, the grant is only available for new green roofs that have not yet been installed. You must submit a quote and wait for approval before installing the green roof.
After delivery, you can store the sedum mats rolled up for up to two days in cold weather. In warm weather, a maximum of one day. It is important to store sedum mats in a cool, dry place, directly out of the sun. You can also temporarily unroll and water the mats if you can’t handle them right away. For more information on caring for sedum mats, click here.
Gravel is optionally used between the Sedum and the eaves. This prevents the sedum from growing through there and possibly leading to leakage. Read all about it here.
Installing a sedum roof is not considered difficult by many. It is often accomplished within a few hours. It does help to do it in pairs. The sedum mats saturated (after a rain) can be heavy and muddy though so don’t put on your best clothes.
This depends on the area of your roof, but most people don’t spend more than a few hours doing it. Make sure you work with two people; not only is this safer, but you also work a lot faster and more efficiently. As an indication: Our installers install a 30m2 green roof in one working day when working alone.
