Biodiverse roof systems characteristically consist of undulating growing media; typically 80mm – 150mm deep. This is planted with a variety of drought tolerant hardy plants or seed, such as wildflowers, sedums, grasses and perennials.
Biodiverse Roof Systems
Applications
- New build & refurb
- Commercial (Urban)
- Flat Roofs
- Roofs with limited access
Benefits
- Increased roof lifespan
- Reduced run-off
- Low Maintenance
- Habitat replacement
- BREEAM points
Increased development of major urban areas has seen a substantial increase in the construction of Biodiverse Roofs. Sometimes referred to as ‘Brown Roofs’, the purpose of a Biodiverse Roof is to replace and often enhance the habitat that would otherwise be lost to the new development. Designed to be self-sufficient and low-maintenance, Biodiverse Roofs are not typically constructed with the intention of being trafficked by pedestrians, but designed to create a natural habitat to support a variety of plants, birds, animals and invertebrates. Biodiverse Roofs contribute significantly towards achieving BREEAM points. They also act to improve surrounding air quality, reduce the visual impact of the building and assist in the run-off and management of rainwater, as well as enhancing the acoustic and thermal properties of the roof.
Biodiverse Roof Systems have increased load implications compared to Extensive Green Roof Systems, with typical loads ranging from 100 – 200kg per m2. A Biodiverse Roof System typically consists of: Roofdrain geocomposite drainage and reservoir layer; a biodiverse growing media; a vegetation layer, such as seed and plug plants; habitat enhancement features (hibernaculums), and; Abpro aluminium edge profiles.
Typical Client Profile
- Landscape Architects
- Drainage Consultants.
- Local Authority Planning Depts.
- Roofing Contractors
- Roofing System Suppliers
- Main Client
System Products
Within a Biodiverse roof system, the following products are typically used:
Roofdrain
Roofdrain is an integral part of a Biodiverse Roof System, providing filtration, separation, drainage and attenuation in one lightweight and cost effective geocomposite system.
Biodiverse Growing Media
A biodiverse substrate based environment is used to offer a habitat in synchronisation with the surrounding local area, creating ideal conditions for colonisation by neighbouring plant and animal species. ABG’s Biodiverse Growing Media is composed of recycled 14-5 mm crushed brick, fine grade 10 mm topsoil (certified to BS 3882) and 10 mm composted recycled material (certified to PAS 100).
Plug Plants
Plug plants are varieties of sedum, wildflower and herb, planted by hand to the required density, and available in a wide range of species to suit the individual requirements of the project.
Pre Grown Wildflower Mat
Wildflower mats are easy to handle and deliver an aesthetically pleasing wildflower environment on a roof. ABG’s Wildflower Mat is made up of 34 native wildflowers and grasses, with a minimum of 50% wildflowers.
Wildflower Seed
A wildflower seed mixture, containing 22 species of wildflower, is suitable for hand-sowing on to ABG biodiverse growing media.
Abpro Aluminium Profiles
Abpro Aluminium Profiles are manufactured to provide a high-quality finish, and are designed for use in a variety of green roof applications as an edge restraint or as segregation between different materials.
ABG Green Roof Access Chambers
ABG Green Roof Access Chambers are purpose built to create an inspection point around a roof outlet.