We're all trying to do our bit for the environment and looking for new methods of helping out. One of the latest crazes to sweep the gardening world is having a 'green roof'. While this does not mean painting your roof, it does mean you can save money, get recycling and help the environment without lifting a finger.
Green roofs serve several purposes for any building that they put on which is not limited to vegetation. To begin, start with products such as the sedum mats where you can lay strong, low-maintenance mats (in a variety of colors) over your roof, which are grown in the UK and ready for you to reap the benefits of green roofs.
But what environmental benefits can you expect? Firstly after installing them above a waterproofing membrane your green roof will create a wonderful layer of insulation. These roofs have been proven to reduce heat loss and energy consumption in the winter months which is great for saving money just before Christmas. Not only do they keep you warm; they provide great sound insulation too.
All gardeners and environmentalists know the importance of wildlife; be it insects, animals or plants and the shortage of natural habitats that are plaguing cities and affecting the surrounding nature. Environmentally friendly roofs provide a safe haven for birds, bees and butterflies - you really would be doing your bit for Mother Nature.
During winter a lot of rain can be expected, and these specialized roofs can hold up to 75% of stormwater meaning there is a significant reduction in runoff rates. They even filter out pollutants and heavy metals from the rain which you can collect (providing you have a drain system installed) or just leave for your plants to make good use of it.
Green roofing has also been proved to contribute to lessening the Urban Heat Island Effect which has seen temperatures in cities rise to up to 7ºc higher than the surrounding countryside. This is due to the lack of reflective buildings in cities but the plants on a green roof reflect heat instead of absorbing it. If there are more green roofs in London we can avoid another summer like 2003 when the temperature was 8ºc higher than it was in nearby rural areas.
The Urban Heat Island Effect has also been exacerbating ozone production at ground level which is a main component of smog. We all know that plants absorb carbon dioxide but they also filter the air around them which removals heavy metals. Studies have shown that the air above a green roof has reduced sulphur dioxide by as much as 37% and nitrous acid by more than 20%.
Green roofs have been extremely popular in the United States with one of the largest being at Ford Motor Company's Plant in Dearborn - it's a massive 450,000 sq ft.