BMI Canopia Green Roof Systems
The popularity of green roofs within the built environment has increased dramatically over recent years, with their inclusion in both urban and rural projects now being mainstream. Although the basic categories of green roofs have remained un-changed over the years, the development of different types of systems and the plant species within them has progressed as more experience has been gained.
There are a number of different types of garden roof, defined by the way they are used. The basic types of green roof fit into either extensive or intensive categories, but there are also those which are a hybrid of both - these types of systems could be termed semi- extensive or semi-intensive.
Extensive Green Roofs
Extensive green roof systems are generally intended to be viewed from another location as a decorative/ ecological feature. They are not normally used as a recreational space to be walked through or sat in and often have limited access used for maintenance only. Due to the shallower substrate depths of extensive systems, the plant choices are more restricted to drought tolerant species such as sedums, grasses, wildflowers and mosses.
Extensive Sedum Green Roofs
The sedum family of flowering plants is large and widespread throughout the Northern Hemisphere, varying from annual and creeping herbs to shrubs. They are succulents and therefore have leaves which are able to store water.
Click here for the range of BMI Canopia Sedum Green Roof Systems
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Extensive Wildflower Green Roofs
Wildflower roofs are intended to generally provide a habitat to create a wider bio-diversity of flora and fauna compared to a traditional sedum green roof. The system can be managed more heavily to produce a controlled “wildflower meadow” type environment. Alternatively, less management input may lead to the development of vegetation which progresses naturally relating to the prevailing conditions. Often wildflowers, grasses and sedums are the main species of vegetation designed to thrive within such systems.
Click here for the range of BMI Canopia Wildflower Green Roof Systems
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Extensive Biodiverse Green Roofs
Biodiverse green roofs are intended to generally provide a habitat to create a wider diversity of flora and fauna compared to a traditional sedum green roof. They are often designed to either recreate or even improve the habitat that was lost when the building was erected. These types of roofs can be constructed to provide the right conditions for specific plants which in turn support other insect and bird species. Often wildflowers, grasses and sedums are the main species of vegetation designed to thrive within such systems.
The planting can be managed more heavily to produce a controlled environment. Alternatively, less management input may lead to the development of vegetation which progresses naturally relating to the prevailing conditions and changes naturally over the years.
Click here for the range of BMI Canopia Biodiverse Green Roof systems
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Intensive Green Roofs
These systems are designed to be used as recreational spaces and often involve many features similar to traditional ground level gardens which can include paving, water features, lawns, shrubs and trees. These intensive 'roof gardens' are soil based multi layered systems and are so called because they are labour-intensive; requiring higher levels of irrigation, feeding, and other forms of maintenance compared to their extensive counterparts.
Click here for the range of BMI Canopia Intensive Green Roof Systems
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Bespoke Green Roofs
In the sections of our website above you can find details on many of our standard green roof systems that we offer as a simple solution to the needs of our clients most common requests.
There are also many other alternative green roof systems that we can offer as a bespoke package to meet your projects specific needs.
At your service!
BMI has a dedicated field service, with a network of technical advisers throughout the UK & Ireland, available to provide a bespoke insured green roof specification to meet your exact project requirements. Our advisory service for specifiers and contractors is free of charge. Our technical advisers are available at any time during working hours to answer queries on any aspect of green roofing design.
Click here to find a local BMI Technical Adviser
Alternatively our head office technical support team can be contacted on:
0330 123 4585
or click here to send a bespoke green roof specification request to our technical support team and we will contact you shortly.
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