In recent years, green roofs have grown in popularity across Europe and have now become mainstream technology. While they brighten up the surroundings, they are also highly beneficial for the environment by providing habitats for nature, supporting healthy communities and helping cities adapt to climate change. There are different types of green roofs available including sedum roofs, all of which can help you build a sustainable, eco-friendly home.
Here are four top facts you need to know about sedum green roofs:
Sedum Roofs – What Are They and Why Should You Choose Them?
A Sedum Roof is one type of living, green roof. Sedum roof blanket contains a mixture of all the varieties of succulent plants. Our sedum creates the strongest, most sea-hardened living roofs available on the market and are carbon neutrally grown.
It contains natural properties that allows vegetation to develop and maintain itself. Sedums are shallow rooted therefore, they don’t need a lot of room to grow. They are also lightweight, meaning they don’t add a lot of weight to the roof and are easy to install. Another key benefit of a sedum roof is that they are drought tolerant and only need watered, mowed and weeded a couple of times per year.
Benefits of Sedum Green Roofs
A green roof, also known as a living roof or rooftop garden, is a vegetative layer that is grown on a rooftop. They are living organisms and so, they change on a daily basis and are highly dependant on the weather conditions.
The installation of green roofs on homes or offices allows people to reduce their impact on the environment while also gaining a number of additional benefits. These include extending the life span of the roof, lowering energy and roof maintenance bills, creating an alternative habitat for insects/birds and improving the aesthetics of the building.
- Read our previous blog about the benefits of green roofs.
Installing a Green Roof
The beauty of a green roof is that is can be installed on most buildings, whether they are existing or newly built. However, it is extremely important that it the roof installed properly, as this will reduce the risk of leaks or damage to the existing structure. It is also vital that an appropriate waterproofing membrane is installed. This is crucial to the success of the roof as it will prevent any water seeping into the building and avoid damage from root penetration.
Looking After Your Sedum Roof
Sedum roofs require little maintenance as they need a small amount of rain water and nutrients to survive. However, as the weather in Ireland can be unpredictable, it is difficult to quantify the exact amount of water or labour required. To ensure the long-term durability of your green roof, there are some key steps which must be taken, particularly during the first few weeks, such as watering the sedum. Additional steps should be taken throughout the first year, including regular check and weeding. Before the sedum roof is installed, a tailored maintenance schedule should be created as this will ensure a healthy, low maintenance green roof. Here is a fantastic example of a maintenance schedule for a sedum roof.
At Laydex, we believe that green roofs are not just a trend and will become more prominent in society as people lead eco-friendlier lifestyles. Learn more about our green roof products or contact us today to find out more.
