Green Roofs – Why Go Modular?

The main advantages of modular over roll-out green roof systems include convenience and speed of installation, futureproofing, and the delivery of instant results.

All the elements required for a successful green roof have been measured and installed into the M-Tray® modules at the nursery.

Users can feel confident that the plants, growing medium and filtration components are suitable and compatible, and at the correct level to give strong, healthy growth over the long term.

The trays are grown for a period of at least 6 months and all will have been through at least one spring growing season; so the plants are well established, healthy and strong, and fully integrated into the substrate (unlike sedum blankets, which are not).

Mess and disruption are big issues with roll-out systems.

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.

This is not the case with the M-Tray® modules.

Enhanced Accessibility

Another key benefit is accessibility. As each module is 500 x 500mm, one M-Tray® can be carried by one operative. For areas which are very difficult to access, such as single-storey extensions, domestic projects and other completed structures, roll-out is simply not possible. M-Tray® can be hand-balled into even the most awkward areas, even carried through a window (pictured) if necessary. They are the perfect retro-fit product.

Key Advances

The advances made in the design of the new M-Tray® model have created a number of key advantages including:

• 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 for more seamless plant growth
• no sharp edges, less risk to the membrane
• nothing spills out, less mess
• made from recycled plastic with a recycled substrate
• less packaging, less waste
• UK designed and manufactured in the UK

M-Tray® With Wildflower

As well as the sedum trays, Wallbarn plants up a wildflower mix into the M-Tray®. A varied mix of at least six different native species has been selected. All these flowers and herbs are low growing, hardy species, chosen to be pollinators for butterflies and bees.