The environmental and economic benefits of green roofs by their very nature, has meant that green roofs are growing in popularity, particularly on newly constructed buildings.
The most popular type is the lightweight ‘extensive’ green roof that consists of low growing planting requiring little maintenance.
There are many environmental/economic benefits including:
Insulation and cooling
Reduction in rainwater run off
Promotion of bio diversity and habitat, of particular importance in built up areas
The image of the construction itself is visibly enhanced by the presence of the green roof
Sustainability of the building – the life of the roof is doubled
Green Roof Maintenance Programme
- Check all drain outlets and keep clear to ensure adequate drainage.
- Address drainage erosion channels or substrate settlement.
- Remove litter and debris (including dead leaves from adjacent trees).
- Remove any planting encroaching into drainage or pebble barrier areas (for example around safety systems).
- If movement/settlement of the pebble vegetation barrier has occurred, then additional washed stone pebbles (similar to the existing) should be added.
- Inspect healthy planting growth and repair bare patches from abundant growth areas – this will work best if this is carried out during spring maintenance and if the cuttings are kept moist and free of temperature extremes (frost and intense sun).
- Remove colonising planting that could potentially damage the roof such as saplings, and weeds or grasses where desired.
