The roofs of private and commercial buildings as well as car parks, carports and garages span virtually endless expanses which, for the most part, go completely unused. However, there is so much meaningful potential waiting to be unleashed here. This includes, among other things, the installation of photovoltaic systems, extensive roof planting, or a combination of the two. Anyone looking to take a modern and thus sustainable approach to construction simply has to consider these options.
The advantages of green roofs are clear: in urban spaces in particular, they create additional pockets of green, giving rise to habitats for plants and insects. This, in turn, makes an important contribution towards climate preservation. What’s more, clients and residents also benefit from their installation. Besides enhancing the space visually, a green roof can protect the roof’s surface from external influences while also acting as a form of rainwater storage and a natural air conditioner thanks to its insulating properties.
Green roofs from a single source
Anyone looking for an integrated solution for extensive roof planting will find exactly what they need among the range of products offered by Richard Brink. With its Easy, Terra and Bio models, the metal products manufacturer has released three systems whose components are fully compatible with one another and offer a permanent solution for roofs with a gradient of up to 15°.
The Easy system has a streamlined configuration that is well suited for use on carports or smaller garages, for instance, due to its ease of handling and low weight. All layers can be rolled out over or laid on to the roof surface in next to no time. Rather than using a substrate, the Easy green roof solution incorporates a water storage mat made from hydrophilic mineral wool, which lies directly under the sedum mats. The substructure consists of a drainage system that combines the filter layer, drainage and protective layer in a single product. To protect the roof cladding, Richard Brink also offers a root barrier foil. Depending on the system’s composition and the type of roof, the installation height comes in at between 62mm and 97mm with a saturated weight per square metre of between 42.30kg and 61.10kg. Drainage systems with a height of 17mm are available for sloping roofs with a gradient of up to 15°, while mats with a height of 25mm are available for flat roofs. With regard to the water storage mats, customers can choose from a height of either 25mm or 50mm. This equates to a water storage capacity of the entire structure of between 24.3 and 40.8 litres per square metre depending on the selected combination.
If, for example, entire industrial facilities or company buildings are to be fitted with large-scale roof planting, the Terra system would be an excellent choice thanks to its simple and economical installation. The Terra solution takes its name from the use of a 60mm-high substrate layer that lies directly underneath the sedum mats rather than using a water storage mat made from mineral wool. A filter fleece prevents the granulate from falling into the underlying drainage level, which is made up of a drainage plate with an installation height of 25mm or 40mm. A separation and protection fleece is placed beneath this. If the insulation is not resistant to root penetration, an approved root barrier foil can be installed between the insulation and the separation and protection layer. Depending on the configuration and roof variant, total heights here range from 109mm to 124mm, with a saturated weight of between 110.52kg and 114.9kg per square metre. Drain mats with heights of 25mm and 40mm are available for use on sloping and flat roofs. This makes for a water storage capacity of between 28.2 and 32.2 litres per square metre.
The Bio system combines the use of a 60mm-high substrate layer and a water storage mat in one integrated solution, creating a particularly high storage capacity for rainwater. Similar to the other two systems, a root barrier foil and drainage systems are placed over the roof surface to complete the system. With this version, depending on the system’s composition and the type of roof, the installation height comes in at between 122mm and 157mm with a saturated weight per square metre of between 126.30kg and 145.10kg. Drainage systems with a height of 17mm combined with either 25mm or 50mm high water storage mats are fitted on sloping roofs, while the system used on flat roofs has a height of 27mm. The combination of substrate and hydrophilic mineral wool facilitates a water storage capacity of between 42.3 and 58.8 litres per square metre.
The perfect, made-to-measure frame
The range of green roof systems is rounded off with compatible substrate rails, which are ideal for delineating extensive roof planting and separating granulates or loose material. They also ensure the controlled drainage of excess water between the spaces. The metal products manufacturer produces these rails in aluminium with a material thickness of 1mm, both as rigid and flexible versions. Customers are also welcome to order the required quantity of coarse gravel directly from Richard Brink. With this broad selection of systems, components and materials, there’s nothing standing in the way of an individually tailored and absolutely top-quality green roof.
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