Benefits of green roofs:
– Creates a natural habitat for flora and fauna.
– Aids biodiversity encouraging a wider spread of species in the area.
– Soft landscaping helps to reduce the risk of flooding by retaining large proportions of annual
rainfall and reducing rainwater run-off. Particularly useful within Sustainable Urban Drainage
(SUDs) schemes.
– Environmental masking blends the building into its surroundings.
– Improved air quality as vegetation assists in reducing both gaseous pollutants and dust particles.
Reduces urban heat island effect (the difference in temperature between urban areas and the
surrounding countryside) through absorption of some of this heat and the natural evaporation
of water from plants and soil.
– Reduces building’s carbon footprint through lowering building running costs.
– Reduced construction costs: no requirement for screed on the deck reducing the overall
weight imposed, fewer rainwater outlets, decreased rainwater drainage system capacity and a
reduced requirement for storm water attenuation within the SUDs scheme for the site.
– Increased life expectancy of waterproofing membranes when protected by green roof
landscaping.
– Many local authorities favour planning proposals that incorporate green roofs within the.
application, particularly if it meets their policies towards providing a sustainable environment
– Increased property value – roof usage can be maximised for purposes including leisure, and
offers unique potential for replacing the land lost to the building’s footprint.
– Noise reduction for the building – green roofs have excellent acoustic qualities for both external
sound (up to 3dB) and internal noise up to 8dB).
