Diadem® green roofs – the green overheads cost reduction

Increasing energy costs can be reduced also with installing green roofs. This technical solution has favourable consequences not only for our wallet, but also for our environment. Diadem®’s extensive, semi-intensive and intensive green roofs keep the heat outside in summer and inside in winter.

Negative environmental effects justifying green roof construction

Our cities, which are overcrowded with blocks of flats, are becoming more and more unliveable, public utilities cannot keep up with the rapidly increasing number of the buildings, urban green areas are disappearing and the quality of the existing green areas is also deteriorating significantly. The situation is getting worse and worse by additional sectoral factors, primarily by the current level of construction morals and the fashion. Most settlements struggle with the fact that investors want to make as much profit as possible from the constructions, so they exploit the areas. They strive for the highest built-in percentage on the smallest possible plots, naturally at the expense of green areas and often without public utility developments. All of this is made even more difficult by the fashion, which typically prioritizes houses with flat roofs.

Other environmental factors also have an impact on the quality of life of city dwellers. The average temperature is constantly increasing, we are experiencing ever hotter summers. The distribution of rain falls has changed, we experience a much larger amount of rain falls on the roofs periodically at the same time than a few decades ago. In the meantime, we are constantly affected by stronger noise effects. And the latest challenge is the energy crisis, the construction industry should also respond to. Lower energy consumption and lower heat loss must be achieved with appropriate technical solutions.

Why should we build a green roof?

Among the important ecological advantages of green surfaces, the retention of rainwater, the relief of the sewer network, the maintenance of the natural water cycle, the improvement of the microclimate, and the ability to absorb harmful substances should be highlighted. The ecological benefits are also realized in economic benefits, among other things in the reduction of sewerage costs, the increase in the quality level of the living space, the enhancement of thermal insulation capacity and thus energy savings. Green roofs provide the building with extra thermal insulation, keeping the heat out in the summer and the cold in the winter. Without expanding the premises’ size, the amount of green areas and usable open spaces of the property increases, so the quality of people’s immediate living and working environment also rises. A new habitat will be created for the flora and fauna that are suffering in densely populated settlements, thereby supporting initiatives for the preservation and maintenance of species. With the construction of a green roof, the run-off value of the property decreases by holding back rainwater, thereby relieving the burden on the sewer network, returning the water to the natural cycle, and moreover the sewer fee is reduced.

The additional importance of green surfaces on the roof is that the structure’s step- and air sound insulation, as well as its thermal insulation capacity increase. They absorb a significant part of the harmful substances and noise of the urban environment, and also reduce the effect of light pollution.

Types of green roofs

Depending on your needs, there are several Diadem® green roof solutions, from the simplest to a complete roof garden. The extensive green roof is recommended for impassable roofs, semi-intensive green roofs are recommended for gardens directly connected to living spaces, and the green roof most similar to traditional gardens is called an intensive green roof.

Extensive green roof

The Diadem® extensive green roof is a drought-tolerant,

perennial plant association planted on a light planting medium consisting of mineral components, with low layer thickness covering the entire surface with a drainage sheet, for covering impassable surfaces. In addition to the technical advantages, it is primarily an ecological protective layer with favourable rainwater utilization and climatic effects.

The advantages of Diadem® extensive green roofs: thermal insulation ability, rainwater utilization, evaporation, living space for nature, can be adapted to most slab structures.

Semi-intensive green roof

The Diadem® semi-intensive green roof ground cover is a type of green roof covered with grasses, perennials and shrubs, which, in addition to greater possibilities of use and wider formal designs, offers a reasonable investment compromise, and thanks to the drained roof structure with inverted layer structure, it represents an excellent technical solution. It is a demanding but an easily feasible solution that can be used in gardens that are directly connected to living spaces.

The advantages of Diadem® semi-intensive green roof: it is suitable for everyday human use, the utilization of the property – thereby also its value – increases, it is possible to design a wide range of forms, it provides favourable investment costs, an ideal technical solution, thermal insulation ability and has an optimal climatic effect.

Intensive green roof

The Diadem® Intensive green roofs is a type of a roof garden for complex water management with ground cover and woody perennials, and in exceptional cases with trees, which is similar in appearance and usability to traditional gardens built on natural soil. In addition to providing a maximum garden experience, it provides complex rainwater utilization. The solution that provides the greatest garden experience that can be used in gardens that are directly connected to living spaces.

The advantages of Diadem® intensive green roof: the utilization of the property – thereby also its value – increases, unlimited formal design.

Green roofs already from the 19th century

It comes from the above that establishment of a roof garden or a green roof is – from many points of view – an excellent solution for mitigating negative environmental effects. The famous French architect Le Corbusier stated already at the end of the 19th century, that “The roof garden becomes the most favourable location for the house, and from the point of view of the city, it means that we regain the area lost through construction.”