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Sustainable rooftops for new build construction

Specifying green, blue and biosolar roofs

Sustainable rooftops

Delivering rooftop environmental solutions on new build projects not only meets planning requirements but also ensures that the buildings of today support the world of tomorrow.

A flat roof is an integral part of many modern construction designs as it provides additional utility space for the building, whether for recreational, environmental, or functional facilities. 

The UK government’s ambitious targets for net zero, with interim targets for 2030, 2035 and onwards to 2050, are strong drivers for designing future-proof buildings, with a full decarbonised life cycle embracing design, construction, building management and ongoing refurbishment or deconstruction.

Green roofs create a sustainable environment

Adding a green roof brings back a piece of nature and the roof space can be vegetated to suit the access levels required. A Bauder green roof combines the finished planting scheme and all its supportive components with a secure waterproofing system. There are different types of green roofs depending on the desired outcome or drivers for including one on new construction.

Retain rainfall with a green roof

Green roofs naturally, as part of their multi-layer design function, soak up water for the plants to use, retain it, and delay its run-off. Typically, a green roof will reduce annual run-off by 40-60% per annum. When a vegetated green roof finish is required the BauderBLUE STORMsub system creates a blue roof within a green roof build up where the substrate and water retention board attenuate rainwater. Extensive or biodiverse vegetation finish can be coupled with a biosolar PV array for maximum environmental advantage.

Attenuating stormwater with a blue roof

A blue roof controls rainwater and stromwater where it lands, and the outlets restrict the discharge to a calculated and defined flow rate to significantly slow down the volume of water leaving the site. As the storm passes, water continues to discharge from the roof at a controlled rate over a set period (typically up to 48 hrs). 

Solar PV for sustainable energy generation

A flat roof is the ideal place for a solar photovoltaic installation to generate site-sourced electricity. Renewable energy generation has a big role to play in the delivery of a net zero carbon building and integrating renewables allows it to meet a proportion of its own energy needs, minimise carbon emissions, and reduce building running costs.

A flat roof is often the ideal place for a solar photovoltaic (PV) installation as it generally provides an unobstructed space that is perfectly positioned to catch as much sunlight as possible.

Energy efficient roofs

Reducing energy usage through effective roof insulation.  There are different options depending on whether you are constructing a warm or inverted roof above a heated building, the usage of the building and if it's domestic or commercial, and the specific project requirements and parameters such as if you need to create falls using the insulation or if there are limited installation heights, such as for terraces.

Chris Roddick, Green Roof Product Manager

Green roofs have developed over the last 20 years from an interesting aesthetic to being a key element in a city’s green infrastructure, they are now capable of incorporating valuable biodiverse habitats with solar panels, recreational space with SuDS solutions. These rooftops can help significantly with air pollution and reduction of the urban heat island effect.

Almost all cities in the UK have goals to increase the green space and biodiversity within them. Incorporating green roofs into a building helps meet these planning objectives – green roofs are a key component in Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) reducing the annual run off from a building and improving the water quality of that run off. They provide Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) units and help towards Urban Greening Factor (UGF) targets. Green roofs can extend the lifespan of the roof whilst improving the quality of the built environment.