Introducing greenery to buildings in urban areas can improve the health of our communities and bring sustainable benefits to our environment as we respond to the ongoing climate crisis. If space is at a premium on your businesses’ exterior grounds, why not consider the roof space you have available to add more greenery on your site?

A green roof will bring nature back into our towns and cities, bringing with it significant benefits.

Increased Biodiversity

Research in both Switzerland and the UK has shown a green roof can provide important habitat, in an otherwise ‘grey’ environment, for a plethora of insects and birds. The planted roof tops will attract pollinators, essential for our food supply and landscapes.

Tackle CO2

Air conditioning and heating systems in buildings generate CO2 and most greenhouse gas emissions are directly related to energy use. Installing a green roof is an ideal way to reduce your CO2 emissions as its cooling properties will reduce the need for air conditioning. Conversely in winter the need for heating in the building will diminish.

Improve Air Quality

In towns and cities, air pollution poses the single greatest environmental risk to human health. Last year the World Health Organisation (WHO) cut the recommended limits for air pollution. Increasing the number of plants on your site can help to improve the air quality as airborne particles and pollutants are filtered from the atmosphere by the substrates and vegetation on a green roof.

Insulation

The thermal properties of green roofs are amazing. Poor insulation can lead to freezing offices in the winter and soaring temperatures in the summer. Plants will absorb the suns energy, keeping your building warm in the winter without having to boost the heating to its max and keeping it cooler during the summer months, improving efficiencies.

Rainwater collection

The UK has become wetter over the last few decades, with Scotland experiencing the greatest increase in rainfall according to the Met Office. Green roofs are a superb option to counter increased rainfall. Water can be stored in the plants and substrate, before being released back into the environment.

Roof Lifespan

By protecting your roof from the elements, a green roof could improve your roofs life span by 100%.

Low Maintenance

A sedum roof is relatively slow growing and only requires maintenance once or twice per year. Fertilizing in the spring and pruning the sedum in October – it’s as simple as that.

Green roofs are suitable for most roof types.

To find out more about installing a green roof on your building, please contact us on 0808 100 3120.