What is a green roof? Should I adapt my own flat roof?
It is more important than ever to safeguard green spaces. But what is a green roof? Can you adapt your existing flat roof to help protect the environment?
Our towns and cities continue to grow. More houses are being built. Roads are being widened; railway lines are being upgraded.
In many ways these are positives. However, protecting the UK’s green spaces is more important than ever before. But what is a green roof? Does it benefit the environment and encourage local wildlife? Is a green roof something you should consider for your own flat roof?
What is a green roof?
A green roof can also be called an eco-roof, living roof or garden roof. It is a roof on which vegetation is deliberately planted, thereby becoming an environment that can support wildlife, as well as provide homeowners with an additional outdoor recreational area.
A green roof consists of a waterproof membrane, soil and vegetation overlying a traditional flat or pitched roof.
These green roofs can be built on a variety of spaces, from ground level to many stories up. They are categorised as being either ‘intensive’ or ‘extensive’.
An intensive green roofs are usually referred to as roof gardens. They include the same kind of features you would expect in a traditional garden or park.
Example of green roofs:
- Shrubs
- Trees
- Lawns
- Paving
- Water features
Intensive green roofs are predominantly for recreational use, designed for people to use and enjoy.
What is a green roof? Extensive green roofs explained
Extensive systems are not designed for people to walk on. They are designed to create habitats for plants and animals and as such, contain hardy, drought-tolerant plant species. These can include wildflowers and moss. These types of green roofs are becoming increasingly popular in densely populated urban areas as they go some way to replace the habitat lost through development.
What is a green roof? What are the benefits?
Green roofs come with a wealth of benefits, which include:
- Positive impact in terms of sustainability and biodiversity
- Visual appeal
- Added outside recreational space
- Absorbs surface water
- Absorbs sunlight, keeping property cooler when sunny
- Naturally insulates roof, preventing heat loss
- Improves air quality
- Provides natural fire resistance
- Extends life of the roof
What is a green roof? Balancing growing population demands against social responsibility
Our partnership with Eco Green Roofs enables High-Tech Membrane Roofing to deliver on these dual aims. We provide durable, sustainable, affordable green roofing solutions that actively promotes wildlife.
Together, we can help to create vast natural havens in inner cities, helping to regenerate urban areas that have lost green space. We can also work with public and private business who want to become more ethical and environmentally aware.
As such, planning authorities often look favourably on green roofs. In terms of redevelopment, you won’t usually have to gain permission for green roofs.
Find out more
Please contact High-Tech Membrane Roofing today for more information regarding what is a green roof and how we can help you achieve long-term sustainability, greater aesthetic appeal and a more environmentally conscious property.
