Intensive Substrate in Bulk Bags

Popular FAQs

• Do I need planning permission?
  Most green roofs can be installed with no planning permission, however some do require it. This depends on the location, type of building, height etc and should be consulted before installation. Green roofs are increasingly mandatory for new developments. Planning consent can stipulate that the area must blend into the surrounding landscape or mimic the water runoff of nearby Greenfield sites. Green roofs can allow constructors to overcome these terms.
• Can I choose what plants to have?
  Sky Garden’s seed and blanket mixes have been specifically designed to work well on green roofs. The thin, low nutrient substrate and exposure can make it hard for some plants to grow well. However we do offer bespoke plants and systems, especially on intensive green roofs. For a full quote and design brief for a bespoke system please contact our sales team.
• Do I need to water my green roof?
  Sedum is used because it is drought resistant and very hardy. Under normal circumstances the roof should not need regular watering. However, live material must be irrigated immediately following installation. This irrigation must continue in the first few months following installation and again in especially hot and dry periods. Sky Garden recommends full saturation of the system once a week in these periods.
• How much does a green roof cost?
  Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book.
• Does a green roof need maintaining?
  Yes. Green Roofs are 'Low-Maintenance' not 'No-Maintenance'. Green roof maintenance is generally a very simple process. They are designed so that they will not require endless hours spent on the roof in order to keep them looking at their best. Each type of green roof brings many different benefits to the occupants, the owners and the roof itself, so a little time maintaining the system is advantageous in the long run.
• What access requirements are needed to install my green roof?
  The components of a green roof system can be delivered in m³ sacks, which is the best option for larger builds with crane access. However, on smaller installations with less access 25kg bags can be used and distributed by hand if the transporter cannot get close to the roof.
• What are the different types of green roof?
  A green roof is any structure that is topped by live vegetation supported by a layer of substrate. Brown roofs are types of green roof that are not initially seeded or covered in pre-grown live material. They are left with the substrate exposed to allow self seeding of the local plants and attract the natural wildlife of the area. Biodiverse roofs can feature areas of seeded, pre-grown blanket or bare ground and are designed to increase biodiversity and create an environment that appeals to the native flora and fauna of the region. Their construction often features piles of logs, boulders or artificial habitats that are designed to replicate the environment preferred by birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
• What is BREEAM and how can I improve my rating?
  BREEAM stands for Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method and essentially sets the standard for the best practice in design for large scale developments. It is used to assess the environmental performance of buildings and communities. The addition of a green roof can increase the building’s BREEAM rating by making the building more environmentally friendly. You can learn more about BREEAM and green roofs on our Downloads page.