Blackdown – the single source provider of Green Roof solutions

Blackdown’s single source approach to the design, growing, supply, installation and maintenance of green roof solutions was borne out of its desire to ensure that the highest quality standards are achieved.

Blackdown’s systems ensure the realisation of the key drivers that inspired the specification of a green roof in the first place (e.g. stormwater retention, carbon consumption, air and water quality improvements, Urban Heat Island Effect reduction and habitat creation). A complete Blackdown system that provides protection to the waterproofing layer, drainage of surplus stormwater, filtration, an appropriate growing medium and a plant layer that is suited to the project’s microclimate will provide the most sustainable, long-term green roof solution.

In a green roof market with no prescriptive performance standards, the specification is of great importance. The term ‘green roof’ applies to a whole spectrum of roofs, ranging from a fully landscaped roof garden right down to a substrate-free blanket of Sedum species and such a broad definition leaves many specifications prone to value engineering.

The consequences of decisions to change or remove parts of the system are often not known, or accounted for, in the decision to ‘value’ engineer. For example, changes to the specification of the growing medium will affect the roof’s ability to meet the plants’ air, water and nutrient requirements. If the growing medium is too porous, additional irrigation measures may be required.

If the growing medium has too high a proportion of organic matter, there is a risk of water clogging the plants’ supply of air; leading to suffocation (not to mention higher-than-anticipated loadings).

Blackdown green roofs deliver the kind of cost-effective, long-term solutions that have added value at some of the UK’s most prestigious buildings. One such example is the recent installation at the new SSE Hydro Arena in Glasgow. Here, the intensive green roof – specified by Foster & Partners – was supplied and installed by Blackdown to achieve an aesthetically-striking and sustainable design feature comprising a dense plant cover with over 37,000 Lonicera Nitida “Maygreen” shrubs.

For more information on Blackdown’s green roof products or services, please call 0333 5771 500 or email roofing@alumasc-exteriors.co.uk

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