In 2008 the Government’s Water Strategy for England acknowledged that the below-ground piped systems were insufficient when coping with extreme rainfall and identified the importance of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) and green roofs, for climate change mitigation and water management.

The Green roofs inclusion within the SUDS strategies have been limited to date however must surely be desirable, as they:

Extend the roofs waterproofing durability

Reduce energy consumption

Provide amenity space

The feasibility of the green roofs within the SUDS strategies shall therefore be evaluated against SUDS design criteria.

1)      Water Quality Improvement by ways of reducing water runoff velocity, filtering pollutants such as nitrogen, copper, zinc, lead and calcium.

2)      Amenity Benefits by ways of providing green space (e.g. roof gardens, communal parkland, areas of recreation and entertainment. Increased access to greener and cleaner spaces is believed to benefit health by reducing blood pressure, and reducing heart rates.

3)      Ecological Enhancements: Almost 90% of England’s population live in approximately 10% of land cover. Habitat lost to urban development therefore lowers species diversity-threatening future food and medicine sources. Whilst not directly replacing habitats green roofs can create compensatory habitat for a variety of flora and fauna.

4)      Hydraulic Performance: Conventional drainage systems typically convey greater and faster run off however green roofs manage storm water more sustainably through the evaporation of rainfall intercepted by the plant surfaces.

Lowering Runoff Volumes…

Long term research from the University of Sheffield, has highlighted has indeed indicated that green roof’s are indeed effective in reducing run off volumes.

Reducing Flood Risk….

The response to extreme events is clearly of most interest in managing flood risk….the green roofs performance in this response was equally noteworthy: Of 30 significant events, a hydrologic benefit was evident for every event, whether this be reducing the run off of water or reducing the volume of water.

With previous research haven been investigated different roof configurations and in different climates, worldwide, divergent results are inevitable. There are also seasonal trends.

The Future?

Hopefully in the future green roofs schemes will feature more prodominantly within SUDS Strategies, as they must recognise the physics-based research of the hydraulic benefits.

Watch more videos on www.greenroofs.com Learn the basics of greenroofs here: what living roofs are, what they do, and how they help solve the most pressing ecological and developmental issues facing the built environment showing projects from around the world.

Global warming is a major threat for the earth and its inhabitants, so it is important that we all contribute towards making earth a better and safer place to live in. One way that we can help to save the earth from pollution and global warming is by constructing green roofing. Green roofs are known as vegetated layers that sit on top of the conventional roof surfaces of a building. Green roofing is an excellent option for city people to have greenery around their home, who lack green space such as yard or deck. Apart from offering pollution free environment it also provides opportunity for expressing one’s creativity and brings nature back to the city. Green roofing are also known for providing aesthetically pleasing effect and offer a visual contrast to the pavement and steel that mostly dominates the city. 

Green roofing have many environmental benefits such as, it reduces water runoff that occur with typical homes. It is also good for the community as too much runoff can result in flooding and water contamination. Green roofing are made of soil and plant life and are able to absorb as much as 75% of falling rain water. Through condensation this moisture is release back into the air.  Green roofing is also able to reduce the presence of toxins in the environment. The plants of the roof absorb the pollutants present in air and water and also the carbon-di-oxide to make the environment safe and clean. The plant produces oxygen that also makes the air free from contamination and impurities.

Green roofing is also an excellent investment as a properly installed green roof last at least twice as long as typical roofing material, thereby saving one’s repair and replacement costs. It also significantly reduces heating and cooling bills. Temperatures in cities are much higher than in surrounding areas because of prevalence of buildings in a small area. Built with traditional material these building absorb and redirect the sun’s heat making the cities much warmer than rural areas where there are less building and more green space. Many cities are offering incentives to builders for having green roofing to their buildings.

Basically there are two types of green roofs such as intensive green roofs and extensive green roofs. Intensive roof garden feature large plants or lawns and require a great deal of maintenance such as feeding, watering and soil care. Extensive roof garden has only a thin layer of soil and requires very little work to maintain. These kinds of green roofing are good for the environment and also pleasing to the eye. It not only providing positive impact on the environment but it is also increasing the value of one’s home.

More Green Roofs Articles

Global warming is a major threat for the earth and its inhabitants, so it is important that we all contribute towards making earth a better and safer place to live in. One way that we can help to save the earth from pollution and global warming is by constructing green roofing. Green roofs are known as vegetated layers that sit on top of the conventional roof surfaces of a building. Green roofing is an excellent option for city people to have greenery around their home, who lack green space such as yard or deck. Apart from offering pollution free environment it also provides opportunity for expressing one’s creativity and brings nature back to the city. Green roofing are also known for providing aesthetically pleasing effect and offer a visual contrast to the pavement and steel that mostly dominates the city. 

Green roofing have many environmental benefits such as, it reduces water runoff that occur with typical homes. It is also good for the community as too much runoff can result in flooding and water contamination. Green roofing are made of soil and plant life and are able to absorb as much as 75% of falling rain water. Through condensation this moisture is release back into the air.  Green roofing is also able to reduce the presence of toxins in the environment. The plants of the roof absorb the pollutants present in air and water and also the carbon-di-oxide to make the environment safe and clean. The plant produces oxygen that also makes the air free from contamination and impurities.

Green roofing is also an excellent investment as a properly installed green roof last at least twice as long as typical roofing material, thereby saving one’s repair and replacement costs. It also significantly reduces heating and cooling bills. Temperatures in cities are much higher than in surrounding areas because of prevalence of buildings in a small area. Built with traditional material these building absorb and redirect the sun’s heat making the cities much warmer than rural areas where there are less building and more green space. Many cities are offering incentives to builders for having green roofing to their buildings.

Basically there are two types of green roofs such as intensive green roofs and extensive green roofs. Intensive roof garden feature large plants or lawns and require a great deal of maintenance such as feeding, watering and soil care. Extensive roof garden has only a thin layer of soil and requires very little work to maintain. These kinds of green roofing are good for the environment and also pleasing to the eye. It not only providing positive impact on the environment but it is also increasing the value of one’s home.

More Green Roofs Articles

With global warming and pollution being ever-present topics on the news, it is important for everyone to contribute to making the world a cleaner place. One way to do this is to use ecologically friendly materials when building your home. The wave of the future is green roofing.

A green roof is a roof that is covered with vegetation. Essentially a rooftop garden, green roofs were developed in the 1960s in Germany, and have become quite popular in many European countries. It is only recently however, that green roof technology has begun to catch on in the U.S.

A green roof is excellent for city dwellers who often lack green space such as a yard or a deck. The addition of a green roof can provide a space to express one’s creativity, and bring nature back to the city. In fact, by planting native vegetation, you can invite insects, birds, and butterflies that would otherwise have nowhere else to go. As an added benefit, green rooftops are aesthetically pleasing and offer a visual contrast to the pavement and steel that dominates the cityscape.

The environmental benefits of a green roof are many, and include the reduction of water runoff that occurs with typical homes. A reduction of runoff is good for the entire community, as too much runoff can result in flooding and water contamination. Because green roofs feature soil and plant life, these roofs are able to absorb as much as 75% of falling rainwater. This moisture is then released back into the air through condensation. A typical roof on the other hand is built to be totally waterproof, so every drop of water runs off and drains into the sewers.

Besides reducing water runoff, green roofs are also able to reduce the presence of toxins in the environment. Pollutants in the air and water, as well as carbon dioxide are absorbed by plant life and rendered harmless. These plants also produce oxygen.

Not only are green roofs great for the environment, but they are also an excellent investment. A properly installed green roof can last at least twice as long as typical roofing material, thereby saving you thousands of dollars in repair and replacement costs.

Green roofing can also significantly reduce your heating and cooling bills throughout the year. According to a recent study, building a green roof can reduce your heating and cooling needs by 26%. In cities especially, changes need to be made to the way that structures are built. Temperatures in cities are much higher than in surrounding areas because there is such a prevalence of buildings in a small area. These buildings are made with traditional materials, which absorb and then re-direct the sun’s heat. Cities are therefore much hotter than rural areas where there are less structures, and more green space. In order to combat the rising temperatures, some cities are offering incentives to builders to add green roofing to their projects.

If you decide to build a green roof, you need to keep a couple of things in mind. First, there are two types of green roofs. Traditional style roof gardens, which feature large plants or lawns, require a great deal of maintenance. Feeding, watering, and soil care are all necessary to keep this garden in good condition. Extensive roof gardens on the other hand, have only a thin layer of soil, and require very little work to maintain.

Great for the environment, good for your pocket book, and pleasing to the eye, green roofs are a budding trend that can have a positive impact on the environment. Not only that, but a well constructed green roof can increase the value of your home by thousands of dollars.

Related Green Roofs Articles

With global warming and pollution being ever-present topics on the news, it is important for everyone to contribute to making the world a cleaner place. One way to do this is to use ecologically friendly materials when building your home. The wave of the future is green roofing.

A green roof is a roof that is covered with vegetation. Essentially a rooftop garden, green roofs were developed in the 1960s in Germany, and have become quite popular in many European countries. It is only recently however, that green roof technology has begun to catch on in the U.S.

A green roof is excellent for city dwellers who often lack green space such as a yard or a deck. The addition of a green roof can provide a space to express one’s creativity, and bring nature back to the city. In fact, by planting native vegetation, you can invite insects, birds, and butterflies that would otherwise have nowhere else to go. As an added benefit, green rooftops are aesthetically pleasing and offer a visual contrast to the pavement and steel that dominates the cityscape.

The environmental benefits of a green roof are many, and include the reduction of water runoff that occurs with typical homes. A reduction of runoff is good for the entire community, as too much runoff can result in flooding and water contamination. Because green roofs feature soil and plant life, these roofs are able to absorb as much as 75% of falling rainwater. This moisture is then released back into the air through condensation. A typical roof on the other hand is built to be totally waterproof, so every drop of water runs off and drains into the sewers.

Besides reducing water runoff, green roofs are also able to reduce the presence of toxins in the environment. Pollutants in the air and water, as well as carbon dioxide are absorbed by plant life and rendered harmless. These plants also produce oxygen.

Not only are green roofs great for the environment, but they are also an excellent investment. A properly installed green roof can last at least twice as long as typical roofing material, thereby saving you thousands of dollars in repair and replacement costs.

Green roofing can also significantly reduce your heating and cooling bills throughout the year. According to a recent study, building a green roof can reduce your heating and cooling needs by 26%. In cities especially, changes need to be made to the way that structures are built. Temperatures in cities are much higher than in surrounding areas because there is such a prevalence of buildings in a small area. These buildings are made with traditional materials, which absorb and then re-direct the sun’s heat. Cities are therefore much hotter than rural areas where there are less structures, and more green space. In order to combat the rising temperatures, some cities are offering incentives to builders to add green roofing to their projects.

If you decide to build a green roof, you need to keep a couple of things in mind. First, there are two types of green roofs. Traditional style roof gardens, which feature large plants or lawns, require a great deal of maintenance. Feeding, watering, and soil care are all necessary to keep this garden in good condition. Extensive roof gardens on the other hand, have only a thin layer of soil, and require very little work to maintain.

Great for the environment, good for your pocket book, and pleasing to the eye, green roofs are a budding trend that can have a positive impact on the environment. Not only that, but a well constructed green roof can increase the value of your home by thousands of dollars.

Related Green Roofs Articles