Wallbarn: Reimagining Urban Landscapes with Innovative Green Roof Systems

In the era of urban sprawl, green spaces are often compromised. However, companies like Wallbarn are transforming this narrative by revolutionising urban landscapes with their lightweight roll-out green roof systems. These systems not only beautify urban spaces but also offer a plethora of environmental and practical benefits.

Understanding the Concept of Green Roofs

A green roof, also known as a living roof, is a roof surface that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium. It is installed over a waterproof membrane and may also include additional layers for drainage and irrigation.

Among the various types of green roofs, extensive green roofs are gaining popularity due to their lightweight construction and low maintenance requirements. They are primarily covered with sedum, a drought-resistant plant, which makes them ideal for areas that are difficult to access and maintain.

Wallbarn’s Lightweight Roll-Out Green Roof System: An Overview

Wallbarn’s roll-out green roof system is a straightforward, low-maintenance solution that allows for the installation of a green roof layer by layer. Each element of the system, including the sedum blanket, is supplied separately, making installation a breeze.

Key Features

• Lightweight: With a weight as light as 50kg per m2, this system can be used on a wide range of structures.
• Drought and saline tolerant: The sedum plants used in this system require minimal watering and can withstand saline conditions.
• Low maintenance: These green roofs require minimal upkeep, making them a practical choice for urban areas.
• Optional irrigation system: While the sedum plants require little watering, an optional irrigation system can be incorporated for ease of maintenance.

Benefits of Wallbarn’s Roll-Out Green Roof System

Environmental Advantages

Green roofs are often lauded for their environmental benefits. They can mitigate the Urban Heat Island effect by absorbing heat and reducing the temperature of the surrounding air. They also absorb CO2, pollution, and dust particles, thereby improving air quality. Additionally, green roofs can create valuable habitats for insects, invertebrates, and birdlife, enhancing urban biodiversity.

Protecting the Roofing Membrane

The green roof system acts as a protective layer for the roof membrane against UV radiation, heat degradation, and pests. It also offers an aesthetically pleasing alternative to conventional methods of holding down insulation boards or loose laid waterproof systems.

Rainwater Management

Green roofs can significantly contribute to rainwater management. The substrate in the green roof system can absorb rainwater, reducing runoff by up to 50% and delaying discharge into outlets by up to an hour. This helps alleviate pressure on city drainage systems.

Improved Insulation

Green roofs can provide sound and thermal insulation. They can reduce the transmission of noise and vibration and absorb solar heat, providing cooling benefits.

Optimising the Development Footprint

Green roofs can enhance the aesthetic appeal of buildings and contribute additional green space, which can improve BREEAM ratings. They can also create a sense of open space in high-density environments, potentially aiding the planning permission process and improving the financial yield of the building.

Convenience and Accessibility

Wallbarn’s green roof system is designed for convenience and accessibility. The modules are compact and lightweight, allowing for easy transportation and installation, even in hard-to-reach areas. This makes them an ideal retrofit solution for existing structures.

Instant and Future-Proof Roofing Solution

With Wallbarn’s system, you can achieve an instant green roof. Since the plants are less shocked by the installation process, they can immediately continue to mature, forming a seamless layer of vegetation much faster. Furthermore, if there are issues with the deck beneath or inspection is required, individual modules can be easily lifted out without disrupting the entire roof. This future-proofs your roof, making it a long-lasting solution.

Wallbarn’s Green Roof System: A Step-by-Step Installation Guide

1. M-Tray® modules are delivered to the site on strapped pallets. They can be safely craned onto the roof if necessary.
2. Unpacking the pallets is straightforward. Each module can easily be carried by one person.
3. A separation and filtration geotextile layer should be installed onto the deck. This protects the waterproofing and prevents abrasive damage.
4. Start from the middle of the green roof and work outwards. Place a module down and click the next one into place using the integrated connection clips and points.
5. If irrigation is being installed, connect it at the base of the trays during the installation of the trays.
6. M-Trays can be cut to shape around objects if needed.
7. Fill the edges with a border of washed riverstones, as per the GRO code of practice. Objects such as roof lights and cables should be surrounded with riverstones to prevent root invasion and act as a fire break.
8. An aluminium edge trim can be added to any exposed edges or where the stones need to be separated from objects such as drainage outlets.

Wallbarn’s Green Roof System: An Investment for a Greener Future

The adoption of green roofs, particularly Wallbarn’s lightweight roll-out green roof system, is an investment in a greener, more sustainable future. It not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of urban structures but also offers a multitude of environmental and practical benefits. By integrating a green roof system into your construction project, you can contribute to urban biodiversity, improve air quality, manage rainwater effectively, and optimise the development footprint, all while offering an attractive, usable open space.