A green flat roof is becoming a popular occurrence on buildings across the country. However, not everyone knows about them, and to the everyday person, it may just look like someone has decided to lay some turf on their roof, just for the fun of it.
That flat green roof, as nice as it looks, is not just there for decoration! It serves a very important purpose, and we will be using this article to explore them in more detail, telling you exactly what they are, what the benefits of a flat roof can be, and how much they might set you back if you were to install one.
So, if you are thinking about putting a flat green roof on your commercial or domestic building, or maybe if you are just curious about what they are and why people have them, this might just be the article for you!
What is a green flat roof?
A green roof is a roof that has been layered with turf or grass. They are available in pitched options or flat options. A pitched option is a roof that slopes, whereas a flat green roof is exactly as it sounds – flat.
A green roof is also known as a living roof. The reason for this is because the roof is covered in a living, growing substance, grass. This is usually supported by vegetation or some other form of growing medium.
They tend to be planted over a waterproof membrane (after all, they are roofs, and so they need to keep your building safe from leaks). There may even be additional layers featured on your green roofs such as irrigation systems and even a root barrier.
The reason people install green roofs can vary. For example, some people use them as a way of absorbing the rainwater that falls. They may also be installed to help provide insulation to the building underneath. Then, of course, there are the environmental benefits such as providing a natural habitat (this is especially important in a city).
The benefits of a green roof are many, and we will be exploring this in more detail in the next section of the article. For now, suffice that green flat roofs (and pitched green roofs) are very popular and for good reason.
A green flat roof can be installed on a number of different existing buildings such as retrofit or redevelopment structures. However, it is more common to see them featuring on new builds. In fact, in some places around the UK, it is expected that green roofs at least be considered as an addition to new builds, particularly in major cities such as London.
The great thing about a green roof is that it can be as big or as small as you like. As such, they can be installed on something as small as a garage, and as big as a skyscraper as well as any large commercial buildings, and even some industrial buildings. They are certainly becoming more popular for businesses wishing to improve their environmental impact.
Benefits of a green flat roof
Whether you want to install a green flat roof on your home or your business premises, there is no denying the benefits that can be gained from it. They are a sure fire way of assuring that you are as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible, thanks to all of the environmental benefits they offer. As well as this, they can also have a wonderful impact on the health of people who can use them.
In terms of the environmental impact and sheer benefits a green flat roof can have, the most obvious will be the fact that it can attract wildlife. This is especially important if your home or building is in a city where there is not currently much greenery. They can attract pollinators, birds, insects, and more.
However, it is actually deeper than this. Wherever in the UK you are, the building that you are thinking of putting a green flat roof on is standing in the place of what was once an ecological system in itself. What we mean by this is that cities have not always been there. They are built on greenery. By installing a green roof, you will be replacing the ecology that once stood there and giving back to nature.
As well as this, they can also help to absorb heat from the sun, providing insulation to the building underneath. They can absorb harmful C02, as well as lots of water from rainfall. These ecological and environmental benefits are not the only good things, though.
Having a green space that can be used by the inhabitants of your building or your employees can be very beneficial in terms of their mental health. It is known that spending time in nature is very beneficial, and can help relieve stress. This is especially important if you are in the inner city and have little to no greenery around you.
It is truly no wonder that families and business owners alike are so keen to get a flat green roof installed. Now, you might be wondering how much this will set you back. Head over to the next section to find out more.
How much does a green flat roof cost?
The cost of a flat roof will vary depending on what type you go for and how big you want it. You may be worrying that it will cost an arm and a leg because your roof is so big. However, you do not actually need to apply it to the whole roof.
They are usually priced per square foot. You can expect it to cost anything from £50 per square foot for a sedum flat green roof, to £200 per square foot for a fully planted more intensive roof.
Whether you want a green flat roof for domestic or commercial use, contact us today to price up your green flat roof and installation today!
