Making urban green

Green Roof System

Green roofs are increasing in popularity in the UK for aesthetic, environmental and recreational reasons. Protan’s green roof systems offer significant benefits to the building’s performance and the environment.

The Protan Green roof system can accommodate a range of planting schemes, all of which meet strict guidelines, as follows:

• Extensive roofs include green roofs, brown roofs and bio-diverse roofs. This covers lightweight and shallow substrates, is low maintenance and is not for use as an amenity space.
• Intensive roofs are designed for use as an amenity space. It is used for hard and soft landscaping and deeper soils with increased loadings. The turf can be grass or artificial.

For green roofs we recommend the Protan G membrane. It is manufactured from pliable PVC reinforced with glass fibre. The PVC contains stabilisers, which make the membrane resistant to both high and low temperatures and UV-stable; and a fungicide for added resistance to microbial attack. It is available in a thickness of 1.5mm and in dark grey and light grey colours as standard.

We work with strategic partners to supply the complete green roof solution, including drainage layer, filter fleece, growing medium and planting medium, although this varies depending upon the nature of the planting scheme.

All of Protan’s green roof systems conform to the SUDS requirements (Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems), and can be used to meet BREEAM accreditations across numerous categories.

SUDS is becoming increasingly important in terms of planning. Its aim is to ensure that rainfall is managed across all areas of construction, particularly on roofs. The green roof’s sedum or wildflower mat and growing medium soaks up the rainwater, thereby significantly reducing run-off and consequently reducing the risk of flooding.