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How To Install An Instant Green Roof

An image of a green roof on top of a building

Whether retrofitting an existing property or specifying a new build, choosing the right solution is critical to the success of your green roof.

Overcoming Common Challenges

Roll-out ‘blanket’ varies in quality and is easily damaged during transit and installation. They are awkward to move around and up ladders and can cause a terrible mess if carried through homes and onto rooftops.

Inferior modular units lack the depth of substrate and proper drainage to keep plants healthy.

Wallbarn’s painstakingly designed M-Tray® modules overcome all of these challenges, providing a seamless and enduring finish.

Remaining At The Forefront Of The Green Roofing Sector

Wallbarn is at the forefront of developments in the green roofing sector and has always provided products that combine top-quality ingredients with user-friendly, hassle-free maintenance. The purpose of M-Tray® is to enhance rooftop living.

Our Bespoke Design

Our bespoke design allows us to supply the best quality vegetation to site. The fully established, mature sedum or wildflower plants, are contained within easy-to-carry trays which click together to form an almost invisible join.

With dimensions of 500mm x 500mm x 100mm (4 per square metre), the new M-Tray® modular green roofing system has been designed to significantly improve the ease of installation.

Estimating & Installing Has Never Been Easier

Exactly 4 units per m² make estimating and installing much easier. M-Tray® modules are extremely easy to transport and deliver. They can also be used in areas where standard roll-out is not possible.

Modular systems are much more convenient and are faster and future proof compared to roll-out green roof systems.

The Key Advantages of the M-Tray® Modular Green Roofing System

  • Deeper cavities for extra root growth
  • Optimum drainage leading to stronger plant growth
  • More established vegetation at point of installation
  • More efficient transport and packaging
  • Exactly 4 units per m²
  • Easier to carry trays with smooth handles
  • A closer connection between trays ensures more seamless plant growth
  • No sharp edges ensure reduced risk to the membrane
  • Nothing spills out, less mess
  • Made from recycled plastic with a recycled substrate
  • Less packaging means less waste
  • UK designed and manufactured

For more on the M-Tray®  modular green roof from Wallbarn, please click here.

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What Is World Green Roof Day?

A close-up of an M-Tray installation in Whitstable

It is with great excitement that we look forward to the inaugural World Green Roof Day taking place on the 6th June 2020.

This new annual day of celebration belongs to the world of green roofing and is the perfect opportunity to share images, projects and case studies of all the fantastic green roof and roof garden projects around the globe.

To engage with World Green Roof Day on social media just use the hashtags #WGRD and #WGRD2020 on the day and in the run-up to it.

World Green Roof Day

What is #WGRD?

A celebration of green roofs all over the world and the benefits they bring to people and nature.

Why #WGRD?

Towns and cities globally are going green to adapt to climate change. Green roofs also provide vita wildlife habitats and make life better for everyone.

How to be part of #WGRD2020

Share the green roof love on social media with images, events and gatherings.

Become a #WGRD2020 supporter

You can support #WGRD2020 as an individual or organisation

We believe World Green Roof Day is a tremendous idea by the team over at Bridgman Landscapes and encourage everyone to get involved.

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How To Choose The Correct Sedum For Your Green Roof

Sedum green roof summer flowers

Wildflower or biodiverse green roofs are supposed to contain a mixture of native flower species to attract native insects and birds. However, if you were to prepare a green roof substrate of bare earth and introduce a few native flowers after a period of time the roof will become overrun with grass and very invasive weeds such as goat willow, bindweed and nettles. The result after time will be unsightly and potentially dangerous for the membrane beneath. 

How To Make Sure You Choose The Correct Sedum

Many “wildflowers” are either annual or biennial or have such large root structures that they are unsuitable for green roofs.

What to do? Wallbarn is offering a solution by using the standard sedum M-Tray® green roofs as a basis for our green roof and adding wildflower seeds. Our sedum mix, which is based on the Jellito “Northern European and English Mix” seed mix which that company supplies, contains native sedum species and those deemed suitable for the English climate. Many of these sedums are flowering, have different leaf structures and textures, and grow and retreat throughout the year.

Sedum is not just a green carpet. It has many different varieties and if it is planted up in the right manner, can produce an extremely complicated and attractive garden.

This Is The Right Way To Introduce The Wildflower Seed Mix

In order to get more wildflowers into the system, Wallbarn is broadcasting the sedum trays with a wildflower seed mix at the point of harvesting and packing.

If we planted up wildflower trays on the farm, the flowers would be crushed upon packing and would be dead by the time they were delivered. Therefore, the tray units will look like regular sedum trays when they are delivered. The seeds will start to germinate immediately and will start to appear as flowers within 3 weeks of delivery and watering (we recommend that the trays are watered once installed).

This seed mix is designed to attract bees and butterflies, so will increase the amount of nature on the roof.

Effective Maintenance For “Wildflower” Green Roofs Is Essential

There are certain things to consider: these flowers are chiefly annuals, so will die off at the end of the growing season.

Therefore, in order to have flowers the next year, the roof will need to be reseeded. Either user can harvest the seeds in this season’s crop to sow the next year, or purchase another seed mix (available from Wallbarn) the next spring. Also, these wildflowers can grow very high, up to 80cm and will have much more fibrous structures than sedum (which is succulent) so the dead stalks and other vegetation will turn not rot but remain on the roof after the flowers have died off.

This makes the roof look unsightly and is also a potential fire risk, so these dead stalks should be removed every autumn. Clients should bear this additional maintenance in mind when choosing wildflower – if the roof is inaccessible this can prove a major problem. The additional costs of more maintenance should also be factored.

Need More Information?

More information on Green Roofs can be found on our website.

If you would like to talk to us to discuss our green roof solutions, please contact us today on 0208 916 2222 or email sales@wallbarn.com.

 
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Green Roof Installation Made Easy – Perfect For DIY

Green Roof Installation

The M-Tray® modular system clicks easily together allowing the sedum vegetation to blend quickly, promising to transform once-cold grey utilitarian roofs into a much more appealing sight for the surrounding residents. As the trays simply clip together they are quick and easy to install. The vegetation begins to blend within days.

Not only are our M-Trays® easy to install and easy to transport, but they will also last indefinitely. Every now and again throughout the year, you will need to do some maintenance; weeding, but apart from that, our trays are designed to be self-sufficient (they are designed to capture rainwater, releasing it gradually feeding the species set into our special substrate).

Green Roofs Installation Sydenham

How Easy Is It To Construct A Green Roof System?

Throwing grass seeds on a flat roof doesn’t make it a full-fledged green roof. However, the good news is that with the introduction of the new improved M-Tray® modular green roofing system to the UK market, installation is easier than ever before.

This pre-grown sedum green roof product is supplied in easy-to-handle plastic tray units.

A fully established, mature modular green roof system can be installed quickly and easily on difficult-to-access roofs by hand without the mess and disruption associated with traditional extensive green roof systems.

Offering Energy Efficient Qualities

Whilst there can be little doubt that the installation of a modular garden roof system can greatly improve the aesthetics of a standard roof, the benefits do not stop there as it green roofs actually offer a variety of benefits including:

  • Increased Roof Lifespan
  • Energy Reduction
  • Reduced Urban Heat Island Effect (UHIE)
  • Increasing Biodiversity and Wildlife
  • Improved Air and Water Quality
  • Reduced Sound Transfer

Green Roofing Units

This trademarked design incorporates strong tray units measuring 500 x 500 x 100mm, made from an injection moulded recycled polypropylene. The frame itself is 2mm thick throughout and is designed to tolerate significantly more than the 15-20kg saturated weight produced when the units are fully loaded with substrate and sedum plants.

The M-Tray® modules are delivered to site on shrink-wrapped pallets. Because these are live products, it is essential that they are unpacked as soon as possible and given access to light and water. The plants will suffer if they are left palletised longer than 24 hours after delivery.

For more information on the M-Tray® modular green roof solution from Wallbarn, please click here.

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How To Create An Instant Green Roof

M-Tray - Project - Whitstable

Due to the modular nature of the M-Tray®, we are able to provide a viable option for areas which are simply not suitable for other types of green roof installation and the perfect option for anyone looking to create an instant green roof.

Creating An Instant Green Roof

Our M-Tray® green roof system consists of specially-designed modular trays containing superior, engineered substrate and fully established flowering sedum

  • M-Trays® are designed to click together forming a single verdant surface
  • Once trays are connected they start to blend straight away, forming a seamless layer of vegetation
  • Modular M-Trays® can be easily lifted out giving access

Minimising The Risk During Installation 

Moving bags of aggregate-based substrate onto rooftops is fraught with risk – the aggregate goes everywhere and as it is so granular, it can damage waterproofing membranes very easily. Sedum blankets are also supplied rolled up, so the plants get damaged during the transport and installation process.

Issues relating to accessibility and concerns relating to disruption during installation are common reasons for property owners assuming that the installation of a green roof may not be possible for their building. Particularly when it comes to retrofitting a green roof onto a rooftop area.

Due to their modular nature, the M-Tray® is particularly well suited to DIY installations on single storey flat roofs, garden storage areas and many other flat areas which can be utilised.

Exactly 4 units per m² make estimating and installing much easier. M-Tray® modules are extremely easy to transport and deliver. They can also be used in areas where standard roll-out is not possible.

Transforming An Open Flat Roof

A recent project involved an extension on a domestic property

Being a wide extension overlooked by two different bedrooms, the owners were not keen on the idea of looking down on a bare rooftop.

The homeowner wanted to save on contractor fees by installing the green roof himself. M-Trays® simply clip together meaning that no specialist roofing or landscaping expertise is required and offered the perfect solution.

M-Tray - Project - Whitstable

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What Can Geoxtextile Membranes Be Used For?

polypropylene geotextile fabrics for civil engineering

Wallbarn supply a large recycled geotextile membrane range in a number of different densities & materials. This geotextile fabric range is absolutely ideal for many different uses, including protection, drainage, filtration, soil stabilisation & green roofing.

Wallbarn’s range of geotextile fabrics includes a piece of fabric in the form of a sustainable material called recycled geotextile membrane.

What Is a Recycled Geoxtextile Membrane?

These geotextiles are available as a white material and a multicoloured fabric. The white fabric is slightly stronger than the multicoloured fabric.

Both fabrics have lower tensile strength than virgin materials, but this reflects the fact that they are recycled existing fibres. They represent significant cost savings and as they are recycled materials they help with sustainability criteria including BREEAM ratings, for example.

Our recycled geotextile membrane range has proven to be extremely popular with the designers and applicators of sustainable construction projects particularly within a green roof and bio-diverse roof systems in conjunction with our other sustainable products on offer.

Build roads using geotextiles

What Applications are Recycled Geoxtextile Membranes Suited For?

Our recycled geotextile membrane range is supplied packed into tight rolls and we can supply material in a variety of roll sizes, from 1 metre wide up to 6 metres wide for very large-scale projects.

These super-jumbo rolls make installation much faster and easier as there will be less individual rolls to sew or seal together – ideal for applications such as landfills.

Geotextile products also have a wide range of use in conjunction with civil engineering solutions.

These include:

  • A filter-fabric in road construction
  • Preventing drainage systems from clogging with fine particles
  • Effective erosion control
  • Soil reinforcement agents & as a filter medium in road construction

Recycled polyester geotextile fabrics are particularly well suited for use with horticultural solutions including:

  • Prevention of weed growth with geotextiles: ‘a weed control fabric’, often by placing a geotextile layer on top of bare soil & then covering it with a mulch
  • Moisture conservation with geotextiles, again by placing the geotextile above the soil & applying a mulch above
  • Providing a filter layer (e.g. beneath a vegetated roof)
  • Creating a weed control layer (e.g. beneath a gravel path)

For further information relating to our range of protection and drainage products, please click here.

 

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The Benefits Of A Rail Pedestal System

Rail System with Megapad

With the sustained move towards the use of porcelain tiles rather than concrete tiles, finding a suitable framework to lay the tiles onto has taken on increased importance.

By using a framework created from our pedestal rail system and laying the tiles using pedestals and rails, extra support will be provided to the structure.

Innovative New Modular Pedestal System

This new innovative modular system will allow you to lay ceramic planks, even long ones, with the minimum of effort allowing for aesthetic solutions which were not previously achievable with this new format.

Key Advantages

  • Creates lateral stability across the deck by reducing movement
  • Bespoke headpiece clips onto the profiled aluminium joist
  • Aluminium rail clicks securely onto Megapad pedestal
  • Timber decking can also fix directly into the rail for low height thresholds

Install Boards of Any Shape And Size

This new type of pedestal rail system is suitable to help install decking boards and stonewares or slabs made of stone and ceramics, of any shape and size.‎

However, the introduction of the pedestal rail system to the market ensures that outdoor raised floors can be created with boards and a mixed top finish.‎

Ideal for set-ups with large-sized stoneware tiles, the pedestals rail system provides stability and finishes that have not been thought of so far with ceramic stonewares.‎

Constructed from lightweight, resistant aluminium, together with the pedestals, it guarantees a capacity and solidity that cannot be compared to that without the joist.‎

The rail headpiece has integrated lugs to hold porcelain or other slabs/tiles. The headpiece can be slid along the rail to ensure a secure fit to the edges of the slabs/tiles.

The headpiece is available with 2mm or 4mm wide lugs. All lugs are 10mm high.

This system is ideal for ceramic planks, which are often very thin and can be supplied up to 1 metre in length.

The rail system not only gives greater stability across the paved area, but it also speeds up installation significantly.

Instead of having to measure each pedestal height when attempting to create a flat upper surface, installers can measure the pedestals at each end of the 2-metre long aluminium rail to get the level, then place the intermediate pedestals under the rail and wind them up until they “bite”.

Talk to a member of the team for more information and guidance on our rail system and range of support pedestals.

* Please note this Rail System will NOT WORK without purchasing Megapads or Minipads at the same time.

For more information about our pedestal rail system, please click here.

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What Is Environmentally Friendly Decking?

View of a decking installation in a property in Finchapmstead

Decking allows us to do more of our living outdoors, it is therefore little surprise that they are now one of the most popular features of modern-day homes. They can be a great investment but it takes a level of planning to ensure that your deck is as environmentally friendly as possible, whether you are planning to install it yourself or leave it to a professional contractor.

With a definitive shift towards introducing environmentally friendly timber decking systems to the UK market, we are delighted to be able to offer the innovative iDecking range of decking products to our customers.

iDecking is:

  • A complete decking solution made up of a lightweight aluminium substructure and composite or hardwood boards
  • A truly innovative system which allows you to install decking effortlessly

Developed by iDecking Revolution

Developed by iDecking Revolution, the boards are available both with flat or anti-slip grooved surfaces.

Even though its formula is kept as a secret, the iDecking’s primary decking boards are manufactured using the main ingredient of Rice Husk; a by-product in the processing of rice. This husk, when blended together with virgin polymers, makes this an incredibly versatile, strong and durable material.

Looking and feeling completely natural, the boards can be stained or treated for an extra level of protection using any colour available from iDecking. 100% recyclable, the Eco-Friendly composite material Mother Nature herself would have created.

Other important benefits of iDecking?

  • Eco-Friendly – 100% Recyclable
  • Low maintenance
  • Extremely stable and durable
  • Can be treated and/or stained as you like
  • No splinters, barefoot walking is welcome!
  • Weatherproof & Waterproof
  • UV ray resistant
  • Insect and termite-proof
  • B1 Class fire resistant

For more information on our range of iDecking products, please click here.

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Introducing DIY Green Roofs – All You Need To Know

Green Roof Installation

Thanks to the modular nature of the M-Tray®, we are able to provide a viable option for areas which are simply not suitable for other types of green roof installation.

They are even suitable for DIY projects!

Perfectly Suited To DIY Installations

Due to their modular nature, the M-Tray® is particularly well suited to DIY installations on single storey flat roofs, garden storage areas and many other flat areas which can be utilised.

Whether working on a large or small project, it’s easy to work out how many M-Trays® one needs because each module is 500sqmm, meaning four units make a square metre.

Exactly 4 units per m² make estimating and installing much easier. M-Tray® modules are extremely easy to transport and deliver. They can also be used in areas where standard roll-out is not possible.

Transforming A Garden Storage Unit

A recent project involved the transformation of a garden storage unit.

“A residential customer recently installed a garden storage unit and wanted to make it more attractive by giving it a green roof. The M-Tray®, being modular in shape and incredibly easy to install, lent itself perfectly to the job.

The green roof components needed to be walked through the house to access the garden. Traditional roll-out green roof systems, with their bags of aggregate-based substrate and sedum blankets spilling compost and plant matter, are extremely messy to transport and install. The M-Tray® is self-contained within the walls of the plastic tray and comes with fully established, sustainable vegetation.”

From this…

M-Tray Bin Store Install 1

 

 

To this…

Transforming An Open Flat Roof

Another recent project involved an extension on a domestic property

Being a wide extension overlooked by two different bedrooms, the owners were not keen on the idea of looking down on a bare rooftop.

The homeowner wanted to save on contractor fees by installing the green roof himself. M-Trays® simply clip together meaning that no specialist roofing or landscaping expertise is required and offered the perfect solution.

M-Tray - Project - Whitstable