We are a professional and reliable roofing company, with over 20 years of experience in commercial and domestic roofing projects. All this makes us experts in providing sustainable, energy-efficient and eco-friendly green roof systems, similarly known as sedum roofs, eco-roofs and grass roofs. With growing weather concerns around climate change and the cost of repairs sky-rocketing, green roofs give an evergreen, self-generating and weather-resistant answer to protect your home. When you choose Flat Roof Experts you’re in safe hands, as we are known throughout Bradford and the wider Yorkshire area in places like Leeds, York, Harrogate and Huddersfield as a trusted high-quality flat roofing solutions company.
Benefits of Eco-Friendly Green Roofing
From covering extensions and log stores to garden studios and offices, Green Roofs have a variety of uses. Thanks to the fantastic heat insulation Green Roofs offer, they help to moderate outside temperature changes and adjust your home accordingly, making it warmer in winter and cooler in the summer. This also lowers your energy bills.
As commercial and domestic roofing experts, Flat Roof Experts’ Green Roofs are made from sedum plants, which we source locally from Ilkley, a small village located about 30 minutes north of Bradford, and not far from Otley, Shipley and Keighley. Sedum plants are great at taking in carbon dioxide, removing the nasty pollutants and releasing the remaining oxygen back into the air. They also reduce surface runoff during those rainy days, easing pressure on drainage and sewage systems.
Green Roof installation offers you a number of advantages, including:
Environmentally friendly – Sedum plants not only add beauty to your house but give insects, birds and other wildlife a place to call home. There are loads of other environmental benefits too. As we mentioned, Green Roofs offer great stormwater management and reduce surface runoff because the soft landscaping retains a large amount of annual rainfall, as opposed to a traditional roofing system where it runs off into the drain. Another benefit to the environment is the improvement of air quality. Vegetation on flat roofing helps reduce the number of pollutants and dust particles that are in the air by removing them. Further, evaporation of water from your green flat roof helps to cool the air resulting in a lower ambient temperature.
Keeps things quiet – Keeps things quiet – For many years now traditional roofing systems have caused great concern and protest from people in local areas. Sound escaping from commercial buildings where industrial procedures are taking place and domestic buildings where excessive noise is emitted both cause great consternation in communities. In addition, roof construction experts have been concerned about the rain hammer on deck roofed buildings in schools in particular. Green Roof installation helps trap layers of air within it, which act as a sound barrier and have been known to reduce the effects of loud noise by providing a sound barrier for up to 18 decibels.
A great investment – Because of their durability, low maintenance, their environmental benefits and the fact they are becoming increasingly popular, Green Roofs can add a great deal of value to the price of your domestic or commercial property. They are unique features that really catch the eye and are unlike other commercial or domestic roofing projects.
Increases the lifespan – Green Roof installations extend the longevity of your original roof due to protection from rainwater, UV rays and snow. Regular roof surfaces have a tough existence. They are constantly under attack from ultraviolet light and increasingly differing temperature changes. Bitumen roofing, for example, can suffer huge thermal fluctuations with temperatures in a typical year ranging from -10 or -11 degrees at night in the winter to 30 degrees at the peak of summer. Green Roof installation has been shown to double, sometimes triple, the lifespan of the waterproofing membranes contained underneath. These membranes are protected by the green roof and are shielded from harm.
For the best protection, consider installing our EPDM rubber roofing first, providing an additional waterproof layer that will greatly benefit your Green Roof.
Why choose Flat Roof Experts for your Green Roofing
Since we began in 1998, we have established ourselves as the go-to roofing contractors. Flat Roof Experts have an excellent record when it comes to helping people solve their commercial and domestic roofing needs. We are local roofers based in Bradford and are a family business meaning we take pride in everything we do and do it with a smile!
Our reasonable prices and strong set of values ensure we provide a friendly yet effective service that leaves you happy with the results.
If you’re a business owner or domestic homeowner in the Bradford area and have an interest in Green Roof system installation and want a company to do it with passion and pride then be sure to give us a call on 01274 737828 or 01274 317109. Or, if you own a commercial or domestic property in areas like Wakefield, Huddersfield or Bradford and you’re after Green Roof systems to save you money, offer an excellent lifespan from a company that is experienced in refurbishment projects then get in touch with Flat Roof Experts. Finally, domestic property or commercial property owners across the North West from Manchester and Blackburn right the way through to York and Harrogate, we would love to hear from you about how we can create a green roofing solution that will reduce your overall building maintenance while also offering a home to the wildlife in the local countryside.
To find out more about our Green Roofs, or our other roofing services like EPDM Rubber Roofing, Commercial Flat Roofing and Asbestos Roof Removal, give us a call on 01274 737828 or 01274 317109 and one of our friendly and knowledgeable team members will be happy to answer any of your queries.
What is Green Roofing?
A Green Roof – or living roof – is a deck on which a habitat for vegetation and wildlife is grown. It’s essentially a planted rooftop that has a vegetative layer on top of the standard rooftop. There are different types of Green Roofs, with different uses and different styles. Here at Flat Roof Experts, we specialise in extensive Green Roofing using sedum plants locally sourced from Ilkley.
Green Roofs are attractive, natural and pretty, but they also serve a deeper use than just improving the aesthetics of a rooftop. Green Roofs give you a chance to provide a habitat for wildlife and plant species, helping to compensate for what was destroyed during the building’s construction. Green Roof systems are an eco-friendly roofing solution that encourages biodiversity and sustainability and helps to improve our eco-footprint for years to come.
Our extensive Green Roofing uses sedum plants to help reduce water runoff and insulate your building to the changing weather. Sedum plants are excellent at recycling carbon dioxide, helping to clear the air and release oxygen back into the surrounding area. They also provide another layer to your roof, helping to keep everything inside at a steady temperature and conserving energy. Our Green Roofing system is a great roofing solution for those concerned about the health of the environment and conserving the natural wildlife around them.
Green Roofs – The Future of Roofing
We like to keep on top of the trends here at Flat Roof Experts. The fact is, Green Roofs have been increasing in popularity for a while now, and we don’t see their implementation slowing down any time soon. We think that before long, Green Roofing is going to be seen all over the place, particularly in urban areas. Now is a great time to jump on board and secure your own Green Roofing for the future.
Green Roofs saw increased popularity in Germany in the 20th century, and the trend has begun to spread across Europe and the United States. In cities, Green Roofing is sought for the benefit of reducing air pollution in densely populated areas. Green Roofs help to improve the quality of life in urban environments by creating garden resorts for both residents and wildlife.
Green Roofing is also well known for helping to moderate urban heat, sometimes known as the island effect. Anyone who lives in a town or city is aware of the increased heat caused by heat absorbent materials like asphalt and concrete, causing urban areas to be warmer than rural areas. Green Roofing helps to cool this effect by absorbing heat and releasing cooler oxygen back into the atmosphere. And this cooling effect is something that benefits a building of any size in any area.
Yearly sales figures currently top £28 million in the UK, and we only expect this number to grow. Germany is still far ahead, with a Green Roof stock of over 86 million square metres in 2014, but the rest of the world is catching up. Green Roofing is the future, for sustainability, energy efficiency, and lowering costs while providing a habitat and beautiful roofing solution. Invest in your future today by installing your own eco-friendly green roofing!
FAQs
A green roof (also known as a living roof) is a deck that is installed on your rooftop, which allows for the growth of vegetation and wildlife. In short, green roofing involves installing a planted rooftop on top of your existing rooftop. They are organic in appearance, and aesthetically pleasing, but also provide a better chance for wildlife and plant species to create a natural habitat. This is an eco-friendly option that will encourage biodiversity and compensate for the potential loss of nature during your building’s construction.
Green roofs come in different types, styles, and offer different uses too. Here at Flat Roof Experts, we specialise in Green Roofs that use sedum plants, locally sourced from Ilkley, West Yorkshire.
If your roof is pitched at more than 30° then a green roof will not be suitable for your property. Underneath the plant membrane, we must install a moisture-retention fleece, which will ensure water remains in the soil rather than pooling on the surface. Any excess water will be carried away by an aqua drain. A vapour control layer will also manage the passage of water vapour from inside your building through the roof, preventing condensation. In truth, when installing a green roof, it’s best to leave it to the experts.
There are generally two types of green roof – intensive and extensive. Intensive roofs are thicker than their counterpart as the growing media can be between 20cm and 100cm in thickness. They can support a higher range of plant life, but will typically require a higher level of maintenance. Extensive roofs are shallower, typically offering a planting media 6cm to 20 cm deep. These are a lot lighter and require less maintenance.
Green roofs can help to reduce what is known as the Urban Heat Island Effect. This is the condition where an urban environment absorbs and traps heat, becoming a lot warmer than any surrounding rural areas in the process. Plants that grow on a green roof will remove carbon air particulates, produce oxygen and provide shade. They can also reduce and slow stormwater runoff during heavy rainfall.
Despite what the name implies, flat roof systems are actually created with an undetectably slight incline – usually positioned towards roof drains to quickly siphon away rainwater. This cuts out the risk of ‘ponding’ in adverse weather conditions, which happens when water pools in the middle of your roof surface and can lead to further damage and leakages.
As well as the attractive range of features green roofs offer, you get an eco-friendly and sustainable solution that actively absorbs excess liquid to power its plants, giving you peace of mind against ponding while protecting your property. A green system has excellent roof waterproofing capabilities thanks to a selection of thin filter layers, providing absolute quality drainage with none of the bulk you might usually expect.
We can also offer an extra EPDM Rubber layer to any of your roofing projects, which is a super-durable and weather-resistant material made of Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer. Installed at the bottom layer of biodiverse roofs, this gives you extra security against potential water damage and guarantees successful rain drainage.
No matter where your flat roof finds its home – from domestic dwellings to commercial buildings – you’ll want to ensure that it is maintained to get the most out of its average life cycle. To avoid costly flat roof repairs, you’ll want to regularly carry out inspections to catch any issues before they become bigger problems. If you do find anything concerning, you can easily get in touch with our Flat Roof Specialists who are happy to help.
We recommend checking your flat roof at least twice a year, especially after particularly turbulent weather – this can test the boundaries of performance on roofs, windows, and buildings alike! During this time you should make sure to clean any lingering debris such as leaves, stones, or mud collecting in suspect corners, to avoid future issues with drainage. To ensure a thorough check, take a moment to monitor your internal walls too, as they are prime candidates for dampness or mold.
If you spot any of these issues, you can drop our team a message and they’ll be able to tackle your roofing problems – both inside and out.
Whether you are looking into a new flat roofing solution for your business, one of our environmentally friendly green roofs, or are looking into one of our leading flat rubber products, we have a wide range of options when it comes to replacements and repairs.
For older buildings, especially ones constructed in the 1970s and 80s, it is important to identify if traces of asbestos will have to be addressed during your removal. Our roofing specialists will be able to analyse and safely remove all asbestos material from your property before swiftly replacing the roof with long-lasting EPDM flat rubber. We offer a fixed-cost price for every abstraction and replacement, so you will never be faced with a surprise bill.
The type of property you have and what you are looking to achieve from your new flat roofing project are all factors to consider. We are experts at tailoring our versatile EPDM rubber to all kinds of flat roof applications, and are always excited to craft an ecological sedum solution for those wanting to welcome more wildlife. To find out more, you can get a no-obligation quote from a flat roofing specialist here.
Here at Flat Roof Experts, we’ve been supplying and installing a comprehensive range of high-quality roofing systems for over 20 years. Our competitive prices mean you always get top products and brilliant service whatever your budget or project. Depending on the type of roof already on your property, we can offer personalised solutions using our leading flat rubber materials or green organic roofs.
As a base, some traditional buildings use built-up roofing that layers material like fiberglass to improve thermal regulation. A close sibling of the BUF is modified bitumen roofing, found on both flat and “low-slope” roofs, usually made of asphalt. Then we come to our area of expertise, EPDM roofs, where the top of your flat building is coated with durable rubber for ultra-reliable, weather-resistant performance.
Our flat rubber roofing is incredibly easy to maintain, thanks to its excellent temperature range, long-lasting ability and lightweight capability. Once our friendly team has installed your EPDM roof solution, it can be confidently left to withstand all kinds of weather – from extreme heat to freezing cold – without worry.
All it needs is an occasional check a few times a year to ensure it is clear of debris, so it continues working at the optimum level. One of the joys of a flat roof is that it is incredibly easy to climb up and down on, making maintenance a quick and safe job whenever you choose to do it.
Applications
Compared to traditional roofs, a grass-covered roof can open up a once disused space in a whole host of exciting ways. Providing the structure underneath is sound, there’s no reason you can’t create a beautiful new domestic or commercial area. While knowing you can do something with it is all well and good, thinking about what that is, however, is a whole different story. Thankfully, and because we’ve been supplying these building products and roofing materials for so many years, we have detailed a host of different ways that you can use this new green space, be it on residential or industrial buildings.
Build A Unique Looking Garden
If you have a small garden but love getting your fingers green, then a floor space that is packed with a layer of soil, a waterproof membrane, adequate drainage, and grass will make for an incredible blank canvas. One that you can use to plant beautiful flowers, bushes, and create charming water features. Green roof systems are designed specifically to promote ecological benefits, and you can take advantage of this to create a unique looking garden that maximises the amount of space you have on your property.
Make It A Haven For Wildlife
Roof gardens can be used as places to attract all sorts of wildlife. For instance, if you’re a keen birdwatcher but live in a suburban environment where they are not readily available to observe, set your grass-covered roof up to attract birds. The fact that green roof systems are high up and away from people makes them an ideal area for birds and other wildlife to visit. Not only will you have a beautiful looking roof garden, but you’ll also be doing your bit to conserve the local wildlife and create a thriving environment in your area.
A Clever Way Of Adding Value To Your Home
If you’re looking to sell your home in the near future and want an innovative and interesting way to add value to your home, then look no further than a green roof! Not only are they more beautiful and interesting to look at than a regular flat roof, but they also offer plenty of cost-effective benefits. The previously mentioned Urban Heat Island Effect can help your home, and potential buyers, save money on heating bills. These kinds of benefits may very well allow you to add meaningful value to the price of your home.
Interested In Adding A Green Roof To Your Home? Get In Touch
From the environmental features to the cost-saving benefits, there are a whole host of reasons to invest in a green roof system from the team here at Flat Roof Experts. We’ll assess your property before harnessing the latest green roof technology to create a stunning new addition to your Bradford or Yorkshire-based property in no time at all.
To learn more, contact us by phone on 01274317109, or email us at [email protected] and a member of our team will be in touch.