The Benefits of a (Green) Sedum Roof
Sedum: a widely distributed fleshy-leaved miniature plant with small star-shaped yellow, pink, or white flowers, grown as an ornamental.
A green roof is any roof that has substrate and vegetation growing over a waterproof layer. Green roofs can be found in many different sizes and shapes. Commonly green roofs are extensive which means they have a thin lightweight layer of soil covered by hardy drought resistant plants such as a sedum roof.
Below are FIVE REASONS why the Green Sedum Roof is our all time favorite roofing application!
– Helping our local insects and providing a safe haven for bees.
Whilst green roofs do not directly replace ground-based habitats and are not part of a ground level ‘green corridor’, they can be thought of as green ‘stepping stones’ for wildlife, and, if well planned, can cater for a variety of flora and fauna unattainable on traditional roofs.
What makes a Sedum roof so remarkable is that it actively assists with the maintenance of bee population numbers by providing a wealth of flowers and other plants which might otherwise be bereft in that area, particularly if it is an urban environment where greenery is sparse. In addition to helping the bees, the sedum roof also assists a number of other beneficial creatures including butterflies and birds.
– Improved Air Quality
The sedum plants on green roofs can capture airborne pollutants and capture CO2. The temperature moderating effects of green roofs can reduce demand on power plants, and potentially decrease the amount of CO2 and other polluting by-products being released into the air.
– Retention of Rainfall (less stormwater run-off)
In summer green roofs can retain 70-80% of rainfall and in winter they retain between 25-40%. This is because Sedum roofing systems store rainwater in the plants and growing mediums and evaporate water into the atmosphere. The amount of water that is stored on a green roof and evaporated back is dependent on the growing medium, its depth and the type of plants used.
– Energy Conservation by improved thermal performance
Heat losses through the roof must be minimised if you’d like your garden building to perform over it’s lifetime and keep you warm through the depths of winter without worrying about rising energy costs. The thicker and more thermally efficient both your roof cavity insulation and your roofing materials are the better. A green or sedum roof not only acts as an insulation barrier, but the combination of plant & soil processes reduces the amount of solar energy absorbed by the roof membrane, thus leading to cooler temperatures beneath the surface. Most roofing materials and membranes can be broken down over a period of time due to UV light, restricting their lifespan. It has been found that the protective layer of soil and greenery over the roofing membranes ensures that your roof has an extended lifespan whilst benefiting the environment!
– Aesthetics
It can’t be denied; a green roof is beautiful. Sedums are the perfect plants. They look good from the moment they emerge from the soil in spring and continue to look fresh and fabulous all growing season long. Many are attractive even in winter; and a rooftop covered in a heavy green carpet of life is refreshing and innovative!
If you like the idea of having a green roof fitted on your Rotunda Garden Room please do get in touch – we have one week left of our *FREE ROOFING UPGRADE* offer which means you could have a sedum roof entirely free of charge!
A link to the offer can be found here: https://www.rotunda.co.uk/special-offers/
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