Are Green Roofs Set to Go Mainstream in the UK?

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Are Green Roofs Set to Go Mainstream in the UK?

People often think of green roofs as a recent phenomenon. However, they’ve actually been around for centuries. In Scandinavian countries, where retaining heat in houses has always been a priority, green roofs have been used since the Viking era – using sod to ensure minimal heat was lost.

However, over time, other materials started to take over. Across Europe, green roofs virtually disappeared, making way for other mass-produced materials. Fortunately, in the 1960s, Germany started to focus on green-roof technology once again … a trend that has been spreading slowly but surely ever since.

The Slow Spread of Green Roofs Across the World

Here’s some examples of how other countries are using sustainable roofing – and how gradually, more roofs across the world are turning green.

• • Germany. Germany still leads the way with green roofing, with 10,000,000m2 of green roof being used in construction each year. In fact, it’s estimated that around 10% of Germany’s roofs are now ‘green’ – an impressive figure indeed.
  • U.S. The U.S has the largest expanse of green roofing in the world, which somewhat ironically, covers the Ford Motor Company’s plant in Michigan. This impressive green roof is 42,000 sq m in total. Many other famous buildings in the U.S. feature green roofs, such as YouTube’s headquarters in California and the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York.
  • Switzerland. Switzerland is home to one of the world’s oldest green roofs – at the Moos Lake water treatment plant near Zurich. This roof is a haven for several species of plant – many of which are now extinct in all other parts of the region.
  • Egypt. In Egypt, there’s less need for insulation, so instead, many people use wooden tables on their roofs to grow plants. This provides the people with a pesticide-free, sustainable source of food.
  • • Canada. Canada often leads the way in terms of sustainability – and as a result, has embraced green roofing wholeheartedly. In 2009, Toronto passed a by-law, making it mandatory for all new residential and industrial buildings to be constructed using green roofs.

And the UK?

The UK are lagging behind a little – a fact that was famously noted in 2003 by English Nature, which declared that ‘in the UK, policy makers have largely ignored green roofs’.

However, things are improving. Several prominent companies have green roofs – including Rolls-Royce Motor Cars headquarters, the University of Sheffield and Fort Dunlop (the largest in the UK). In the past decade, green roofs in London’s Square Mile have increased from 10,000 sq m to 70,000 sq m.

As more businesses embrace sustainable roofing, more benefits can be seen. These types of roof boost bio-diversity, providing a habitat for plants, insects and birds alike. They enhance air quality – something of great importance given the high levels of pollution. On a more aesthetic note, they provide a pleasant environment for the inhabitants and employees alike.

If you’d like to find out more about making your business more sustainable with a green roof, simply get in touch with the IPS Roofing team today on 01969 625000.