There are several obvious benefits to integrating living roofs into new developments as well as retrofitting them on existing buildings. A properly installed living roof will significantly increase the life of the roof membrane acting as a brilliant protection against the elements. On the continent there are examples of green roofs which are over half a century old and are still very much intact. Another advantage is the temperature regulation qualities that living roofs and façades bring to buildings. The vegetation provides fantastic insulation in winter and in summer, evapotranspiration has a cooling effect. This can drastically reduce the cost of heating and air conditioning especially in large buildings. A third benefit is the aesthetic value which a living roof can provide. Whether providing open space as an accessible roof garden or simply viewed from other buildings, installing a green roof can increase the value of property and provide a pleasant place to live and work.
As well as the financial benefits a Living roofs have important environmental advantages and can provide significant green space in dense urban surroundings. Green roofs have a large storm water attenuation capacity and can hold between 70% and 90% of rain water which falls upon them. This can have an important impact in reducing the prospect of urban flooding. As well as this living roofs serve to reduce the urban heat island effect and improve air quality. Living roofs also significantly enrich biodiversity by providing habitat for a plethora of birds and insects.
The creation of green roofs involves laying a waterproof membrane on top of the roof felt. This is then topped with a drainage board. City Roofs have developed a product called Aquadyne , made from 100% recycled plastic, this material can hold up to 22.5l/m² of water. The capillary action technology which uses a series of micro and macro pores allows water to be collected during rain and drawn upon in dry periods. A substrate, usually a gravelly soil, covers this drainage board and then vegetation covers that. The vegetation can be laid in a matt, sewn as a seed mix or planted as plugs depending on the desired effect and time scale.
Aquadyne is also used in the creation of living façades and a series of tests by City Roofs have allowed them to be able to grow plants straight out of the product without a substrate at 90°. Using a Halfen Steel frame, blocks of the Aquadyne, which can support species such as coriander as well as grasses and sedums, are organised to give the desired effect. An irrigation system which also provides nutrients can then be controlled digitally.
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