We live now in a world that is environmentally conscious, to put it bluntly, every bit of packaging that is thrown away, every tree that is cut down, every aerosol sprayed, somewhere in the back of our minds there are the questions; how big is the hole in the ozone layer, do these emails really need to be printed out, how many trees died to make this brochure?
Eco-friendly roofs are something of a new yet, increasing trend. In Scandinavia they have been around for years and basically they are a roof with grass or moss on it as the raw materials, rather than tiles or solar panels. Initially this may seem a little like “Grass Attacks!” (a word play on the comedy film Mars Attacks), however these grass roofs are actually very aesthetically pleasing to look at, and blend in very well with the surroundings, especially if you live in the countryside.
A grass roof is in layman’s terms a roof made of grass. The eco-friendly idea behind it is that it does the same job as a clay or concrete tiled roof in terms of insulation but has the unique advantages of being able to absorb rainwater, create a habitat for wildlife and can filter pollutants and carbon dioxide out of the air.
It is the complete opposite to clay and concrete tiles which give out plenty of these nasty carbons during their manufacturing process and probably kill a tonne of wildlife during the construction of these tile manufacturing plants.
The idea of being eco or earth-friendly sounds very “green and lush” but nothing unfortunately can prevent Mother Nature, and grass will grow, and after a combination of sunshine and rain it can probably grow quite quickly so how does one mow the lawn that’s growing on a roof?
And another thing that could cause concern is the creation of a habitat for wildlife. Instead of a roof that leaks when it rains, will a grass roof leak worms and insects when the “natural habitat” becomes a bit crowded for its earth residents?
The point being is that it all sound great in theory but in reality is it possible to sustain livable conditions in this way? What if it doesn’t rain, what if it snows? Can grass roofs protect us from the unpredictable British weather? Most of us try to practice or play a part in reducing global warming, even if it is just a combination of small actions like reducing paper printing output, recycling food waste, or driving a lower emission vehicle.
Throughout this insightful journey that goes back, literally, to grass roots, it has also come to light that the word or term “green” can also encompass green technology such as Solar Photovoltaic panels. These solar panels are designed to harness the sun’s energy and use this to heat water and provide electricity. A great option if you don’t like mowing the lawn!
Company author: With a history that spans over 90 years, My Redland Roof believes that every roof should be maintenance-free and will go the extra mile to guarantee every roof installed with Redland products within Redland specifications. Installation is left to Redland Select Installers.
