Green roofs are vegetated layers that sit on top of the conventional roof surfaces of a building. Usually a distinction is made between extensive and intensive - referring to the degree of maintenance the roofs require.
Green Roofing
Green roofs offer many advantages for building developers, owners and users. They benefit the wider environment through their positive impact on sustainability, biodiversity and the attenuation of storm water. Green roofs improve the quality of life for the building users whilst providing a payback for the environment and can have wide ranging long term financial benefits.
ZinCo Green Roofs from Alumasc are available in four broad application categories, backed up by alternative waterproofing systems to provide a complete roofing solution from a single source.
The System
ZinCo Extensive Green Roofs are lightweight with a relatively shallow substrate, providing a versatile range of planting generally comprising sedum rockery and alpine plants.
Applications
Provides a 'back to nature' look, offering strong ecological benefits
Suitable for lightweight roof decks, inaccessible roofs, flat or sloping roofs
Not normally designed to provide access for leisure use
Equally suited to reroofing or new build projects
Do not require irrigation and are low maintenance
Specifications for a wide range of project types are available
Performance
Extensive green roofs are versatile, lightweight and economic
Designed to support self sustaining sedum type plants which are wind, frost and drought resistant
Produced, specified and installed in accordance with standards for green roof design from the German Landscaping and Landscape Development Research Facility (FLL)
Easy to install
Reduces water run-off
Design
No irrigation requirement
Extensive substrate required as growing medium
Build-up height 50–100mm
Floradrain systems weighing as little as 65kg/m2, allow inverted ballasted roofs to be rejuvenated by replacing all or part of the ballast with extensive landscaping
Planting options
Planting is sown as cuttings, plug planted, or supplied in pre-cultivated sedum mats
Typically consists of mosses, sedums, herbs and grasses
Alternatives achieved by varying substrates formulated to support rockery and alpine plants
Installation & Maintenance
Can be installed as part of a new build construction or refurbishment project
Do not require irrigation
Requires minimal routine maintenance
Installed by a network of Approved Contractors
Full warranties available for Alumasc waterproofing systems used in build up
ZinCo Biodiverse Green Roofs are a form of Extensive Green Roof where the substrate is laid down and then planted with vegetation that is suitable for the local environment. They are lightweight with a relatively shallow substrate.
Applications
Encourages biodiversity and attracts aphids and other invertebrates via the low-nutrition substrate and vegetation mix selected that is suited to the area
Suitable for lightweight roof decks, inaccessible roofs, flat or sloping roofs
Not normally designed to provide access for leisure use
Equally suited to reroofing or new build projects
Do not require irrigation and are zero/low maintenance
Specifications for a wide range of project types are available
Performance
Biodiverse green roofs are versatile, lightweight and economic
Produced, specified and installed in accordance with standards for green roof design from the German Landscape Development and Landscape Construction Research Facility’s (FLL)
Easy to install
Reduces water run-off
The natural evaporation from the substrate cools the air and reduces dirt and smog levels
Design
No irrigation requirement
Extensive substrate required as growing medium
Build-up height 50–150mm
Planting options
Designed to support naturally occurring indigenous plant species and perpetuate the existence of the invertebrates that co exist with them
Brown roofs are the extension of this type, utilising or recreating the substrate and plant species that occur on brown field sites when they have been reclaimed for new construction
Planting can include mosses, grasses self sown seeds and wildlife cultivating plant matter such as dead trees
Installation & Maintenance
Can be installed as part of a new build construction or refurbishment project
Do not require irrigation or personnel access
Requires zero/minimal routine maintenance
Installed by a network of Approved Contractors
Full warranties available for Alumasc waterproofing systems used in green roof system | 
products / services / systems | green and biodiversity
