How Green Roofs Improve Wellbeing

It’s no secret that incorporating natural landscapes into urban environments can have profound positive effects on mental health. The addition of greenery not only enhances the aesthetics of a city but also plays a critical role in lifting moods, reducing stress, and promoting an overall sense of wellbeing.

Mental Health and the Need for Solutions

The importance of addressing mental health issues has never been greater. According to the UK Mental Health Foundation, mental health is the leading cause of disability globally, affecting millions of people every year. Consider these concerning statistics:

• One in six people in the UK experiences a common mental health problem every week.
• Anxiety and depression account for 20% of workdays lost annually in the UK.

Finding effective ways to combat these issues is essential, and green roofs may offer a powerful yet underutilised solution.

The Untapped Promise of Rooftops

While rooftops are often the most overlooked part of a building, they hold immense potential. Approximately 32% of urban horizontal spaces are rooftops, making them prime candidates for transformation. Green roofs not only contribute environmental and economic benefits but can now also be credited for their ability to improve mental health.

Research, such as an influential study from Texas, has highlighted the advantages of green spaces for recovery. Patients viewing greenery during post-surgery recovery experienced faster healing times and fewer complications. This has prompted many hospitals to redesign their facilities to include green spaces, with tangible results.

Beyond healthcare, proximity to greenery has proven beneficial to workplace productivity, providing another compelling argument for integrating green roofs into urban settings.

What Makes Green Roofs Beneficial?

Adding green roofs to urban spaces offers a multitude of advantages, including:

• Reducing stress and sadness
  Exposure to neighbouring greenery can improve mood and alleviate feelings of sadness or anxiety.

• Improving air quality
  Plants on green roofs capture airborne pollutants, ensuring fresher air.

• Managing stormwater
  Green roofs absorb rainfall, easing the burden on urban drainage systems.

• Mitigating heat islands
  These roofs lower surrounding temperatures, offering relief from the urban heat island effect.

• Boosting biodiversity
  Green roofs provide habitats for wildlife such as pollinators and birds.

How Wallbarn’s M-Tray System Delivers

Wallbarn’s M-Tray® system is a pioneering green roof solution designed to make installation simple and effective. Whether retrofitting an existing structure or installing on a new build, M-Tray addresses challenges associated with traditional roll-out systems.

Key Benefits of M-Tray

• Quick and easy installation: Each 500mm x 500mm M-Tray module can be carried by one person.
• Versatility: The system is ideal for hard-to-access spaces like home extensions and single-storey rooftops.
• Sustainability: Established, flourishing plants are immediately visible once installed, creating an instant green roof.
• Ease of maintenance: Modules can be removed individually for inspection or repairs without disturbing the entire roof.

This practical and modular system ensures a seamless and verdant finish with minimal disruption to structures or plant life.

Greener Cities, Healthier Lives

Green roofs represent more than an environmental initiative; they play a critical role in shaping healthier and more liveable cities. By converting underutilised rooftops into biodiverse spaces, urban areas can combat stress and promote mental wellbeing.

Wallbarn’s M-Tray system provides a scalable solution to these challenges, delivering green roofs quickly, efficiently, and sustainably. By tapping into the potential of rooftops, we can reduce the mental health burden while also enjoying a range of economic and environmental benefits.

Green roofs are more than just a trend—they’re a vital step towards achieving harmony between urban development and human wellbeing.