Do green roofs need to have a stone border?

Do green roofs need to have a stone border?

If you are thinking of installing a green roof, you might have noticed that they often incorporate a stone or gravel border. You might well wonder why this is, or whether it is essential to a green roof build up.

There are a number of benefits to consider including:

• Stops the roots trying to get under the waterproof membrane at the edges.
• Access – Plants and Sedums aren't intended to have foot traffic.
• Aesthetic’s – Some people find a border neater at the edges of a green roof.
• Wind Resistance – the border can be heavier and helps with the roof edge in windy locations.
• Fire Brake – FLL guidelines and GRO (Green Roof Code) include requirements for fire breaks within the design of the green roof.
• Prevents debris from reaching gutters and can stop wind blown seeds from taking root.
• Some councils require it so its always best to check with your local council and/or planning board to see what you need and what you are allowed.

If you are looking to include a stone border in your green roof we have some quality Scottish pebbles for this purpose, and for roofs needing a stone border where there is no parapet or upstand, you might consider using our aluminium green roofing trims.

Green roof with a stone border

Green roof without a stone border

What is Sedum?

What is Sedum?

• Sedum is a low growing perennial plant that means you don't have to spend any time maintaining it.
• There is no need to mow sedum which makes it perfect for roofs as most are hard to get at.
• There are different types of sedums and our different systems have different sedum varieties in them too. This offers different colours, heights and leaf patterns. 

For our sedum types view these 2 pages

• Sedum Blanket Plus Types
• GrufeKit Sedum Types

Click here for our full range of green roofing products 

How will my Green Roof or GrufeKit be delivered?

How will my Green Roof or GrufeKit be delivered?

• Once you have ordered your Green Roof or GrufeKit, it will be delivered directly to site in time for you to install it.
• We will inform you on delivery dates once the order has been processed. 
  
• Delivery of sedum and wildlfower blankets will only be delivered on Tuesday through to Friday. We will work with you to arrange the best time for delivery. We do this to ensure the vegetation layer is in the best condition.
• The method of transport will depend on the size of the project. They are normally delivered on a pallet or in pallet loads and can sometimes arrive with different couriers on different days. We do this to make our prices the lowest we can so if you want everything to turn up at the same time please let us know before we quote you.
• It is advised that you have your fleece, drainage layer, substrate and trims ready for the sedum to be delivered and installed / planted on the same day as delivery. If you can't install it all in one day. Lay the sedum or wildflower mats out and keep them watered.
• Please advise us of any narrow roads or off loading problems that might occur. All deliveries will use large lorries unless specified. Sometimes large lorries can struggle getting to all locations. If your road is narrow or difficult to get to with a large lorry please advise us so we can arrange an alternative delivery vehicle for you. 
• Failure to do so may result in having to arrange a re-deliver which will cost or it being delivered further away from your property than is ideal.   

Click here for our full range of green roofing products 

What can I install my green roof on?

What can I install my green roof on?

• Green roofs can go on any waterproof roof but we recommend installing it on an EPDM system as this has the best life span of any type of roofing material and its also the greenest option available.
• Depending on how long your waterproofing materials have been on your roof its best to get it checked out. A green roof will last a long time and you are best making sure the roof is waterproof before the green roof is installed.
• Modular green roofing systems can also be used where maintenance of the roof or its waterproofing is likely. This is because the system can be lifted as it is made from interlocking tiles.
• Many companies will suggest using pond liners. There appeal is they are cheap but they also are very thin compared to an EPDM designed for roofing. They also don't have BBA certificates which is what ensures a product has been independently tested to last and work with a green roof. If you want more information on BBA certificates see our blog post here - BBA Blog Post on EPDM
• With any waterproof layer you will need to install a protective fleece first. This not only protects the waterproof layer but also keeps the substrate from washing away into the gutters.

View our online store for all our EPDM flat roofing products

Green roof installed with HERTALAN EPDM

Modular green roof system

Do you have to mow a green roof?

Do you have to mow a green roof?

• This depends on the plants used on the roof. We recommend using low maintenance options such as sedum or wildflowers for roofs as they are normally hard to reach.
• If you want to use grass use low growing grass that is can be bought from us. This doesn't grow as fast and won't need cutting as often.
• If you want a mown look on your roof you will likely be using it as a roof garden and this needs a different build up to the green roof
• If access is poor and you want a mown grass look you could use a robotic lawnmower to mow the grass for you.
• Grass can also be used to create a wild meadow which doesn't need much maintenance at all, you don't need to mow it but you can cut it back to encourage new growth. Over time as the nutrients wash out you will find sedums take well as they don't need much water or nutrients to survive.

View our online store for all our dedum and wildflower living roofing products

Mowing a Green Roof

Wildflower Green Roof

Sedum green roof

Bio-diverse green roof

Is my roof strong enough for a green roof?

Is my roof strong enough for a green roof?

• This is where its best to consult an architect, structural engineer or a building surveyor. If you go to one of these people if you can provide them with size of the span, the timbers used ie size & structural strength of them. They will normally be able to help for free or a small fee depending on the company or person.
• If you are in the design stage or on a new build you will likely already have one or more of these as a contact and they will be able to make sure the roof will take the weight. Most modern buildings will accept a green roof.
• All our products have saturated weights listed on the page and this is the weight that you need to make sure your roof will take this added weight.
• If you want to put a living roof on to your garden shed or any other small outbuilding that has been bought its best to contact the manufacturer to see what weight it will take.
• Contact us if you have any questions or need any advise on what you need to ask.
• For information on roof spans, joist sizes & weights that they can take please either use the TRADA span tables under section 7 for flat roofs or BS EN 1995 or contact a professional as mentioned above. 

View our online store for the saturated weights of our green roofing products

Can I cut GrufeTiles to make it fit my roof?

Can I cut GrufeTiles to make it fit my roof?

• Yes the modules can be cut with a hand saw or grinder. 

• The cut edge then needs to be faced into the rest of the green roof so that it’s supported by the next module.

View our online store for our GrufeKit living roof products

Do I need an aluminium green roof trim or GrufeGuard with my green roof?

Do I need an aluminium green roof trim or GrufeGuard with my green roof?

• Unless you have a built in kerb trim, parapet or upstand we recommend that you use the trims. They keep the green roof in the right place and also hide the drainage board / substrate or tiles. 

• If you use it with a stone boarder this can make the roof edge look much neater.
  
• If you want, we can offer alternative trims if the aluminium colour or design isn't to your requirements. 

View our online store for green roofing trims

Aluminium trim with a stone border

Green roof with an upstand and stone border

Green roof with PVC kerb trims on 3 sides and 

 aluminium green roof trim onto a PVC drip trim