LIVING ROOFS
01 Apr 2015
If designed right, a living roof system can become an extension of the usable landscape, with a finish that is appealing and low-maintenance.
Green roofing means different things to different people. Green roofing can be as simple as using a reflective coating to reflect heat or as advanced as a fully planted living roof.
Green roofing can achieve a reduction in power consumption through heat reflection and improved insulation. A living roof achieves this as well as providing a means to clean the air and providing a habitat for fauna.
A living roof as opposed to a green roof has many advantages, but needs to be carefully planned from its very inception. A living roof will bear a lot of weight and needs to be engineered to do so. The plantings of a living roof should also be designed in consultation with a horticulturist to give a finish that is appealing, low maintenance, and suits the locality of the building.
The very nature of a living roof system creates an excellent insulation system, and has the advantage of being able to be used in fire-prone areas. This insulation not only keeps the building cooler in summer, but can also assist in heat retention in winter making it a true green roof.
With some forethought and smart design a living roof system can also act as a bio-filtration system for the catchment of rainfall.
A living roof can also be designed to be more of a useable landscape feature than purely a rooftop. By integrating paths and outdoor living spaces into the roof it can become an extension of the usable landscape.
For more information contact The Waterproofers on 1300 66 60 04 or visit the website:
www.thewaterproofers.com.au