A green roof over your head: good for yourself, your home and nature
The term ‘green roof’ is quite fitting: it’s a roof designed to accommodate vegetation. This can range from grasses and succulents to even shrubs and trees. One specific type of green roof is the so-called extensive green roof or sedum roof. An extensive green roof consists of a substrate layer where plants grow, with a drainage layer underneath. Such a roof is lighter and more budget-friendly compared to an intensive roof. An intensive roof, often referred to as a rooftop garden, has a deeper planting layer and places a much higher load on your roof.
An extensive roof is easy to install yourself and requires little maintenance. To make this even simpler, ECCO Products offers a pre-cultivated tray with at least 7 different types of sedum plants and four empty trays, specifically designed for growers.
Green roofs are not only an aesthetic asset but also offer numerous functional benefits. Discover here why a green roof is an ideal choice and why the ECCOsedum is perfect for your project.
Green roofs contribute to reducing the ecological footprint of buildings. The use of lightweight and sustainable systems, such as the ECCOsedum trays, minimizes the need for major structural modifications. The trays can therefore be installed on almost any existing roof. In addition, they are made from recycled materials, which helps reduce the ecological impact of the construction industry.
Interested in our pre-cultivated trays?
Our pre-cultivated trays are the perfect solution for anyone looking to quickly and easily install a green roof. Curious about where you can get these trays? Find a distributor near you and discover just how simple it is to transform your roof into a sustainable and visually appealing green space.
What are the benefits of a green roof?
Temperature-regulating effect
Green roofs are much more effective in regulating temperature than regular roofs, especially during hot periods. This is because traditional roofs with gray or black covering absorb almost all solar energy and conduct it to the underlying roof structure. This quickly leads to high temperatures. Green roofs, however, act as a natural insulation system. Only 60% of the solar energy is absorbed by the vegetation layer because the plants reflect direct sunlight. In addition, barely 13% of the absorbed energy is conducted to the roof layers below the vegetation. The substrate layer also contributes greatly to the heat regulating effect. The thicker that layer, the better the temperature is regulated and the fresher the space underneath is kept.
Moreover, the evaporation of the moisture present in the vegetation provides additional cooling. This can lower the indoor temperature by several degrees. For this reason, ECCOsedum green roof tiles are particularly suitable for commercial buildings with cold storage facilities or buildings with air conditioning, thanks to their temperature-regulating effect.
The benefits of a green roof’s temperature regulation are not limited to summer; green roofs also provide advantages during colder periods. They help to retain heat inside, as the multiple layers of the green roof form an additional insulating layer that reduces heat loss. This creates a more stable indoor climate.
Energy savings
Green roofs positively impact your energy bill in both summer and winter. During summer, they keep your indoor climate cooler, reducing the need for fans or air conditioning. In winter, they retain heat more effectively, so you won’t need to turn on your heating as often, saving on energy costs.
And there’s more! Green roofs lower the temperature on your roof, which is ideal for solar panels. Solar panels can generate more energy in summer at lower temperatures. Thanks to the cooling effect of the sedum trays, the efficiency and lifespan of your solar panels are significantly improved.
Drainage and filtering of rainwater
Traditional roofs allow rainwater to flow directly into sewers, which can lead to overloading and flooding. Green roofs, such as the ECCOsedum system, offer a sustainable solution because they can buffer up to 35 liters of water per square meter. During rainfall, the sedum retains rainwater like a sponge and the plants ensure that rainwater is gradually released. This reduces the strain on the sewer system and allows the water to evaporate slowly or be absorbed by the vegetation. The plants themselves require little water to survive.
Promoting biodiversity
Let’s be honest, a sedum roof is much more pleasant to look at than a traditional roof, especially when it also hosts a wealth of life. It not only contributes to an increase in the variety of plant species but also provides a habitat for birds, insects and other small animals. They find shelter, nesting spots, and a source of food. Sedum, for example, serves as a nectar plant for butterflies and bees, offering them nectar and pollen as sustenance.
Improving air quality
The ECCOsedum trays consist of various types of succulents. These plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and also filter fine dust particles. Fine dust is a major issue, especially in urban areas, and is a root cause of many health problems. By capturing fine dust, the plants ensure that it can flow into the sewer system along with rainwater. In this way, green roofs contribute to cleaner air.
Sound insulation
Green roofs provide not only thermal insulation but also sound insulation. They are capable of reducing ambient noise, such as industrial sounds, traffic, or the hustle and bustle of the city. A sedum roof absorbs sound waves, allowing less noise to penetrate the building. This reduction can have a positive effect on well-being. Less noise brings peace, lowers stress levels, and helps you concentrate better.
Longer lifespan for your roof
A green roof is an excellent way to significantly extend the lifespan of your roof. It protects the roofing material from damage caused by UV rays, snow, and ice. Additionally, the vegetation layer shields the roofing material from extreme high and low temperatures. As a result, the roofing lasts two to three times longer than a traditional roof.
Financial
Did you know that many municipalities offer subsidies for installing a green roof? This way, you are rewarded for contributing to a greener and more sustainable environment. Moreover, a green roof may even qualify for a renovation grant, or you might receive a discount on your sanitation fee.
In addition, a green roof also increases the value of the building itself, thanks to its sustainable and natural appearance, as well as the reduction in energy costs and the extended lifespan of the roof.
General well-being
Tell yourself, it’s much more pleasant to live and work in a green environment where birds and butterflies flutter freely up and down, isn’t it? Because a green roof allows you to enjoy a piece of nature every day, it offers a positive effect on your mental well-being. It induces relaxation and makes you produce less cortisol, thus lowering your stress level. So by choosing a green roof, you are choosing a natural stress reliever, both for yourself and for those around you.
How do you install and maintain a green roof?
Installing a green roof is much easier than you might think, especially with a system like ECCOsedum. These trays are pre-cultivated and can be installed (and removed) quickly and easily, and that even on sloping roofs. Thanks to their low weight (only 84 kg per square meter in saturated condition), the green roof trays can be installed on almost any existing roof without having to make any major structural changes. Moreover, you can also install the trays year-round.
Maintenance is minimal, as the sedum plants require little care and can withstand dry conditions. You only need to prune the sedum roof once a year, preferably in September. In doing so, you remove weeds and spent plants. With ECCOsedum, however, weed growth is limited by the constant substrate thickness. Is it dry and warm for a long time? Then it is recommended to water the roof a little. Other than that, you don’t have to worry about your green roof. This means that a green roof is not only a sustainable choice, but also a low-maintenance investment for the future.
Interested in our empty trays?
In addition to pre-cultivated trays, ECCO Products also offers empty trays. We provide four types of trays that vary in size, weight, and drainage capacity. Each model is designed for more specific applications, such as colder climates or more intensive planting. Learn more about them here.