BAU-D-LUXE Green Roof Systems, through advanced technology and quality of product, ensure longterm reliability to every installation. The design and construction of these ecologically sound systems is further enhanced by our unrivalled waterproofing integrity, an acknowledged hallmark of BAU-D-LUXE

Roof types
There are two basic types of roof greening covers;
Intensive ( roof gardens ) and extensive.

INTENSIVE ROOF GARDENS
Intensive planted roofs have a greater depth of growing medium to support a wider range of planting and often include shrubs and trees.

Intensive green roofs are accessible gardens used for recreational and leisure purposes. The landscape variations are practically limitless as it is feasible to create an environment at roof level similar to that of any designed garden.

An intensive garden requires maintenance and management throughout the year to ensure the upkeep of the garden and vegetation.

The more intensive the land scaping the greater the diversity options for design.There is little to restrict scope for design other than the overall weight of the system and its effect on the cost of the supporting construction.However, it is important to first establish the landscape finish you are looking to achieve, which  will then have a direct impact on the system and structure to support it.

Our intensive green roof systems introduce special reservoir and drainage components and lightweight substrate soils designed to improve water storage and drainage performance, whilst significantly reducing the soil depth and weight when compared to traditional construction.

Trees can certainly be used as part of an intensive landscaped scheme. However the type of tree would depend many criteria, including; the height of the building, the structural loading, how vigorously the tree grows and the depth of soil required.We will be able to advise you on which trees are suitable for your planting scheme.

An intensive garden needs as much regular attention as a normal ground level garden requires.We reccommend that a programme of maintenance is drawn up and the skills of a landscape gardener utilised to ensure that the roof garden remains in perfect condition. 

EXTENSIVE GREEN ROOF SYSTEM
Extensive green roofs are constructed using low maintenance planting such as sedums and indigenous herbs and grasses which provide excellent cover and increased protection to the waterproofing system.

An extensive green roof is not for leisure purposed as they are primarily used for their ecological benefits or aesthetic appearence.

There are three extensive green systems available; the Xero Flor vegetation blankets which provide instant coverage, the hydroplanting technique which uses seeds and cuttings in a coagulant which is sprayed onto the subtrate and plug planting where small sedums are planted by hand over the roof.Both the hydroplanting and plug-planting options require 12-18 months to become established.

Xero Flor Sedum Blankets
The vegetation blankets provide the benefit of ‘ instant greening ‘ anda re the most popular approach to the construction of an extensive green roof.It requires little in the way of long-term maintenance which is a prerequisite for many of our clients.

 Hydroplanting
On larger roof areas it can be more cost effective to use hydro-planting as an alternative to vegetation blankets. A special coaqulate mixture containing seeds, plant cuttings, mulch and fertiliser is sprayed on to a lightweight substrate growing medium. 

Plug-Planting
Planting individual sedums ( plugs ) into a growing substrate on smaller roofs gives both choise of plant species and layout of design – generally 15-20 plants per square metre is recommended density.

With both these options a greater variety of plant establishment takes place over a period of between 12-18 monhs, dependent upon time of year of installation.

ECOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Control of rainwater and precipitation
The steady increase in urban development continues to reduce the total area of permeable ground available to absorb rainwater run off.

Hard construction materials ( like roof  tiles, concrete paving and tarmac roadways etc.) discharge water very quickly reducing effective evaporation and loading the drainage systems which in turn can contribute to flooding.

Green roofs can play a significant role in helping to manage storm water run-off. Even the thinnest extensive green roof system will absorb 40 % of the average rainfall and equallu importantly, the remaining 60% will drain off at a much slower rate compared to an exposed roof.This significantly reduces the pressure on the drainage systems and allowing much faster evaporation of accumulated moisture.Intensive green roofs with their deeper soil levels can actually retain up to 90% of the average rainfall. 

Energy Conservation
An unprotected or poorly insulated roof can lead to overheating of rooms directly below it as hard impervious construction

materials such as concrete, stone, asphalt or tarmac, absorb solar energy raising temperatures.

Green Roofs improve the thermal performance of buildings, helping to keep them cool during warm weather by reducing heat absorption and allow air conditioning costs to be reduced.

In winter a green roof provides additional insulation so reducing heating costs fort he building.Planting can also act as a wind break thereby reducing wind chill. 

Air Quality Improvement
Green roofs retain and therefore reduce airborne dust helping to fitler and improve air quality by attracting particles to the damp surfaces of the vegetation and soil.Plants also absorb gaseous pollutants through their leaves and metabolise them so removing them from the environment.

During the naturel process of photosynt-hesis, plants convert carbon dioxide to oxygen which improves the immediate air quality.

Noise Reduction
The plants and substrate contribute as a sound barrier providing excellent acoustic performance towards noise reduction.When the green roof is wet this enhances the reduction even further.

 Sustainable habitat for plants & wildlife
With continued urban expansion, vital natural habitat is lost every day for many of our indigenous plants, insect and bird species.Green roofs provide a practical and effective alternative, helping to both restore and sustain a natural habitat.With Green Roofs it is possible not only to create new living areas, but also recreate the natural habitat for many of our endangered species of plants and insects and provide safe and undisturbed nesting sites for birds.

 However, it is important that some consideration is given in respect of maintenance to ensure that the plants stay healthy and in good condition. Safe Access to the roof is required that allow all Health and Safety procedures to be fooowed.

 We recommended that a routine maintenance schedule is drawn up and implemented and it is usual fort he services of a contractor to be employed fort he purpose of carrying out this work.

 Irrigation
 The sedum species are water retentive plants and so require little attention.However in cases of prolonged dry spells or drought it is recommended that irrigation undertaken.

 Plant Maintenance
 The sedum plants are hardy and cope with life at roof level without effort.The plants gain some of their nutrients from the rain and natural environment and to maintain an optimum healthy condition the sedum benefit from an annual application of a compound slow release fertiliser each spring when the growing season atarts.

 Inspection
 It is important that excess water can drain freely. A n important part of any routine maintenance Schedule should include provision for ensuring that the outlets remain free of debris. Inspections should be carried out on a regular basis to all outlets and perimeter flashings.All vegetation barriers should be kept free from any plant encroachment.

 Our team of expert will asist you in your design requirements and advise on all technical issues and constraints.