
NEWS
Jul 28, 2020
Green Roofs: Combining Construction With Nature
Blenheim provide green roof installation and maintenance services. To most, this is a new technology which has come about as society has become more environmentally aware. However, green roofs have been around for hundreds of years.

Take one of the ancient wonders of the world; The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, a huge palace covered in a carpet of flowers and greenery. Or perhaps Viking architecture, where grass-covered houses nestled into the hills were commonplace.

A viking style turf house. Source: http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2016/01/iceland-turf-house-farm-
flip.jpg.0x545_q70_crop-scale.jpg
As the population grows and the public become increasingly conscious of climate change; with summers hotter and drier than ever, the need to prioritise sustainability in construction is paramount.
What are green roofs?
Put simply, a green roof is an area of living flora installed artificially onto the roof of a building in place of a conventional roof. Green roofs come in a variety of types from the low maintenance sedum roofs to larger more complex gardens with shrubs and trees. They offer several advantages:
-
Green roofs reduce energy consumption by thermally insulating buildings.
-
Green roofs can reduce storm water runoff by as much as 60-79% (Kholer et al, 2002), helpful in areas susceptible to flooding.
-
Green roofs create natural habitat for urban wildlife.
-
Green roofs absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, the main greenhouse gas. This process, called carbon sequestration, is thought to be essential in slowing global warming.
-
More visually appealing.
-
Green roofs absorb pollutants including dust particulates, Sulfur dioxide, Nitrogen dioxide and Carbon monoxide, improving air quality.
-
Increase building sound insulation.
-
Increase building fire resistance.
-
Increase longevity of roof membrane by protecting it from the suns UV rays and heat damage. (green roofs create a cool microclimate through evapotranspiration).