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Green roofing systems
How about a sedum roof or a complete roof garden?
More and more green roof systems are popping up in urban areas, as cities become sustainable and climate-proof. A green roof is flat or slightly sloping, and covered with vegetation. Not only do these roofs look charming, they retain rainwater longer, heat up less quickly, and insulate against heat in the summer and cold in the winter. On top of all that, they improve air quality, stimulate biodiversity, and protect the original roof, so that the roof covering lasts longer!
There are different types of green roofs, distinguished by their structure, purpose, and the amount of water they can collect and store.
Sedum roof
Extensive green roofs are covered with a plant substrate between 6-cm and 10-cm thick. This type of green roof is relatively easy to install and maintain. They are common on homes, for example on extensions, storage rooms or canopies, and on commercial buildings.
Extensive green roofs offer multiple benefits: they reduce the heat island effect in urban areas, retain water and limit flooding in heavy rain, improve air quality, and increase biodiversity.
Extensive green roofs also increase the aesthetic value of a building. Before installation, it’s important to consider the extra weight on the roof, which, depending on the type of sedum roof used (sedum trays or sedum mats), varies between 58 kg/m² and 150 kg/m².
The MobiRoof system is very suitable for smaller roofs. If you have a large roof, sedum mats may be more appropriate.
Roof gardens
Intensive green roofs are suitable for places where lots of people gather, such as a roof terrace, a shared garden belonging to a block of flats, or the roof of a commercial building. This type of green roof is covered with 15 cm or more of plant substrate, so much thicker than an extensive green roof. Although these roofs need more maintenance and water, they do offer more opportunities for growing different types of plants and recreative activities on the roof.
Intensive green roofs share the same advantages as extensive green roofs, in addition to which they are suitable for enjoyment and recreation and even growing fruit and vegetables. Once again, it’s important to consider the extra weight of an intensive green roof on the underlying structure: In fact, intensive green roofs can weigh more than 700 kg/m², so a good irrigation and drainage system is essential to avoid overloading the roof structure.
Grants
There’s another massive advantage to green roofs: they may be eligible for a grant. They are encouraged with grants and tax benefits by many municipalities, because a green roof can help regulate the drainage of rainwater. For more information, contact your municipality. Companies can enjoy tax advantages.
Find out what Visser Tuinen can do for you.
Ready for a green roof? Please feel free to contact us for a no-obligation chat.
Contact details
Westeinde 5, 2451 VZ Leimuiden (The Netherlands)
071 - 33 154 34
info@vissertuinen.nl
