Green roof solutions are a great way of incorporating more greenery into our urban spaces. This has has become essential with global warming and provides a clever way of maximising space that would otherwise be unused or utilised. What better way to effectively insulate our buildings from our increasingly unforgiving climate, while saving and protecting our precious resources?
Not only do green rooftops look great, but they offer many environmental benefits including water catchment, thermal regulation, sound and heat insulation, and air purification. Beyond those vital environmental factors, green rooftops also encourage biodiversity, important in protecting endangered native species and to provide a welcoming natural environment for birds, bees and butterflies.
We all love nature, and we know that being in nature is good for us. Green spaces, parks, trees, and roof top gardens are a critical key to wellbeing in cities of the future. The need to take immediate action about climate change has never been greater. Within a world that has changed forever due to the global pandemic, urban greenery has become a hero and is positively impacting lives in a way we have never experienced.
Extensive green roof systems provide a lightweight option with a shallow substrate layer. This type of green roof can typically be used to cover a large area such as a rooftop or an area without any human traffic. Plants chosen for extensive green roofs are generally made up of an array of ground covers, grasses, sedum, and succulents. Plant selection will also depend on the intended purpose of the green roof.
An extensive green roof can be installed not only for aesthetics, but for water buffering, air purification, to reduce ambient noise/temperature of a building as well as increase biodiversity to the area.
Extensive green roof systems provide a lightweight option with a shallow substrate layer. This type of green roof can typically be used to cover a large area such as a rooftop or an area without any human traffic. Plants chosen for extensive green roofs are generally made up of an array of ground covers, grasses, sedum, and succulents. Plant selection will also depend on the intended purpose of the green roof.
An extensive green roof can be installed not only for aesthetics, but for water buffering, air purification, to reduce ambient noise/temperature of a building as well as increase biodiversity to the area.
Intensive green roofs are built up with a thick layer of substrate and typically used in smaller areas due to the increased weight of the system. If the area is actively used by people, an intensive green roof design will resemble a regular garden.
An intensive green roof can accommodate a large range of plant species and ideal to create a usable roof top garden and attract a larger range of biodiversity.
Intensive green roofs are built up with a thick layer of substrate and typically used in smaller areas due to the increased weight of the system. If the area is actively used by people, an intensive green roof design will resemble a regular garden.
An intensive green roof can accommodate a large range of plant species and ideal to create a usable roof top garden and attract a larger range of biodiversity.
Intensive green roofs are built up with a thick layer of substrate and typically used in smaller areas due to the increased weight of the system. If the area is actively used by people, an intensive green roof design will resemble a regular garden.
An intensive green roof can accommodate a large range of plant species and ideal to create a usable roof top garden and attract a larger range of biodiversity.
Water buffering occurs in every green roof system. Green roofs absorb water through each layer starting from the plants all the way through to the substrate and drainage layers. Water is released into the atmosphere via evaporation or discharged slowly into the sewage system. The amount of water a green roof can buffer can vary based on the thickness or type of substrate, drainage layer and the plants used.
For areas that experience heavy rainfall throughout the year this environmentally beneficial solution helps to stabilise the groundwater level, reducing the peak capacity of the sewage system and in turn reduces the risk of flooding by slowing down the rate that water is discharged from buildings.
Green roofs are a great way to increase biodiversity within our cities but the amount of biodiversity varies on the type of green roof system installed. Natural habitats where flora and fauna would otherwise thrive are now lacking in our cities. By installing a green roof, replacement habitats can be recreated in built-up areas. Different habitats can be created by varying the substrate thickness, increasing the range of species able to live there. Intensive green roofs used in urban areas provide an important foraging habitat for birds as well as providing food sources and breeding opportunities for butterflies, bees, and other insects.
Installing a green roof will improve surrounding air quality by absorbing atmospheric CO2 and releasing it back into the air in the form of oxygen. During rainfall, airborne particle matter is absorbed into the green roof substrate and filtered out.
Green roofs have been shown to reduce ambient temperatures in built-up areas and minimise the heat island effect of a building. By creating a buffer between the green roof system and the roof itself, mitigates solar radiation and reduces heat being transmitted into the building and re-emitted into the atmosphere. Thanks to creating a cooler roof, air conditioning units won’t need to work so hard and solar panels that are installed on will operate more efficiently. A temperature reduction of 3°C – 4°C will not only have a positive effect on buildings in built-up areas and the surrounding climate, but also the suburb you reside in.
Every green roof is unique – this means when it comes to increasing green building ratings it can vary depending on the intended purpose. Each system builds LEED credits across different categories including, biodiversity, energy performance, rainwater management, materials, and resources. By creating sustainable buildings with LEED certification means we are positively impacting on construction, climate control and the surrounding environment.
Category | Credit | Points |
---|---|---|
SS | Protect or restore habitat | 1-2 |
SS | Open space | 1 |
SS | Rainwater management | 1-3 |
SS | Heat island reduction | 1-3 |
SS | Site master plan | 1 |
WE | Outdoor water use reduction | 1-3 |
EA | Optimise energy performance | 1-10 |
MR | Building product disclosure and optimisation – sourcing of raw materials |
1-2 |
MR | Building product disclosure and optimisation – material ingredients |
1-2 |
RP | Regional priority | 1-4 |
There are so benefits of green roofs, all of which have far-reaching effects on us, our community, and on the planet. Not only are green roofs attractive they also go a long way towards contributing to the liveability of our cities and addressing implications of climate change. We all love nature, and its positive impact it has on our wellbeing. Urban greening is a smart way in beautifying our urban landscape and promoting sustainable construction methods.
Check out the benefits of installing a green roofs:
We combine the right materials and technology to create your green wall system to add value to healthy and circular buildings. A green facade always requires a customized solution. Variables such as climate, orientation of the facade, planting preferences and an indoor or outdoor application will determine the best solution for your project.
We combine the right materials and technology to create your green wall system to add value to healthy and circular buildings. A green facade always requires a customized solution. Variables such as climate, orientation of the facade, planting preferences and an indoor or outdoor application will determine the best solution for your project.
Eco Outdoor specialises in creating sustainable, integrated, and innovative urban greenery solutions designed to withstand all weather conditions. We offer complete outdoor lifestyle solutions, including all the components needed to create a green oasis in the most unlikely of places.
Our inspirational global portfolio offers vertical gardens, green walls and eco screens, rooftop gardens, wood hybrid systems, permeable paving and water harvesting solutions that are suitable for both commercial and residential applications.
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