The Fytogreen Roof Garden System
Click here to read more about the Fytogreen
Roof Garden system
Download the Fytogreen Roof Garden Brochure
Examples of our Domestic and Commercial projects can be seen in our Project's Section
What is a Green Roof?
Essentially a living roof, where plants grow; hence the term green
roof. It is often used as a way of replacing the nature destroyed
in the construction of the building. Modern day green roofs fall
into three categories extensive, semi-extensive and intensive.
Why have a Green Roof?
Green roofs have a wide range of benefits. The “Triple
Bottom Line” of Environmental, Social and Economic benefits.
ENVIRONMENTAL
- Reducing Energy Consumption
Green roofs have significant insulation properties, significantly
improved cooling in the summer and reducing heat loss in the winter.
The large areas of concrete and bitumen surfaces in a city soak
up the solar energy and radiate it out as heat. Resulting in a
less pleasant environment with higher temperatures both day and
night. Green roofs create a heat sink, which improves the thermal
conditions. Thermal studies in the Canada have shown that in the
summer months, the exposed bitumen surface recorded temperatures
over 70°C whilst the roof surface under the Green Roof rarely
reached 30°C. The median daily temperature fluctuation of the
bitumen ranged from 45°C, whilst the Green Roof reduced the
fluctuation to 6°C. (Lui, et al 2003)
-
Freshwater Place - Residential
Tower with Australand : Garden with a view |
5th
October 2004
Hydrocell RG30 layer being applied in situ on the 10th Floor
|
1st
February 2005
Green garden with a view
|
Storm Water Impact
With the increase in hard surfaces like concrete and bitumen,
the speed with which water from a downpour reaches the storm water
system often is too fast and significant flash flooding can occur.
Green roofs have the ability to absorb up to 100% of the rainfall
and delay the time that any surplus water reaches the storm water
system.
- Provides Cleaner Water for Rainwater Tank Systems
Water passing through the roof garden profile is filtered of dust
and pollutants.
As plants function they need to photosynthesize sunlight in to
plant useable energy. During photosynthesis, atmospheric carbon
dioxide is absorbed through the plant foliage and oxygen is emitted.
Dust particles are also trapped in the foliage rather than blown
continually from one concrete surface to another.
- Sustainable Habitats for Wildlife
A green roof provides the opportunity for wildlife to re-establish
themselves in a city environment.
COMMUNITY/SOCIAL
A green roof assists in absorbing the outside noise before it
enters the building.
- Creates areas of public space, providing value for workers,
residents and visitors
- Improves Vistas for Neighbors
The ability to create a backyard effect and offer some privacy
in high density living benefits the community.
- Brings nature to urban life.
- Enhanced human living through environmental benefits
ECONOMIC
- Owner can market the building to sell apartments, or office
space with access to “their” Roof Garden.
- Owner can hire out the Roof garden.
- Enhanced Solar Energy Performance
The photovoltaic process converts free solar energy directly into
electricity. Green roofs installed with photovoltaic units lowers
the ambient temperature thereby increasing the conversion efficiency
of the units. (Kohler, et al, 2002)
- Reduced Energy Consumption
Lower power bill for cooling and heating appliances offers a cost
benefit opportunity. During a 22 month observation period in Ottawa,
the Green Roof significantly moderated the heat flow through the
roofing system in the warmer months. The average daily energy demand
for space conditioning due to the heat flow was reduced by 75%.
(Lui, et al 2003)
- Improved Property Value and Green Star Rating
Differentiation in the property market through Green Star rating
and town planning appeasement, offers value to the property owner
- Extends the Life of the Waterproofing
The green roof protects the waterproof membrane from the effects
of ultraviolet light, physical damage and the extremes of temperature
and weather. (Lui, et al 2003)
CATEGORIES OF GREEN ROOFS
EXTENSIVE ROOF GARDENS:
Comprises of a shallow profile of between 50–100mm. Planted
with prostrate/low growing plants including mosses, sedums and
water-stress tolerant grasses. This system is lightweight and requires
minimal maintenance. Up to 100kg per m2 in weight. These roofs
are generally not readily accessible.
Modular Extensive Roof Gardens (MERG)
The key to this modular system is the instant garden effect. Comprises of a shallow profile of between 80-100mm. The modules pre planted off site with low growing/prostrate plants. The system is lightweight, portable and requires minimal maintenance. Up to 90kg per sqm in weight. These roofs are generally not accessible.
SEMI-EXTENSIVE ROOF GARDENS:
Comprises of a deeper profile than the “extensive” profile,
of between 100–200mm. This allows a greater diversity of
plants (turf, grasses & ground covers.) Principally lightweight,
but may require some maintenance. Up to 200kg per m2 in weight.
INTENSIVE ROOF GARDENS:
The intensive profile is deeper, between 200–1200mm. This
allows for the full diversity of plants from turf to trees to be
used. Intensive Roof Gardens are generally used as recreational
spaces. These roof gardens place a large amount of weight on a
building roof and require regular maintenance as per a normal garden.
This is the current standard type of roof garden/planter box in
Australia.
THE FYTOGREEN ROOF GARDEN SYSTEM:
The “magic” of the system is the lightweight water
retentive substrate called Hydrocell RG30. This remarkable material
makes possible the construction of a long lasting lightweight,
water storing, efficient roof garden.
Hydrocell RG30 is a foamed aminoplast resin that can either be
manufactured onsite or delivered in pre fabricated sheet form in
60mm and 100mm thick options, or made as a special RG30 flake for
extensive roof gardens and planter boxes which can be delivered
in 1m3 bags
The RG30 Hydrocell layer replaces the traditional heavy sand filter
layer in intensive roof gardens and contributes part of the growing
media on extensive roof gardens. Hydrocell is lighter in weight,
increases usable media volume and has significantly higher water
and nutrient holding capacity. It also acts as a capillary mat
returning water to the topsoil and acts as a fines filter protecting
the geofabric layer and improving the quality of the storm water.
Approximately 2 million m2 of Fytogreen roof gardens have been
constructed (worldwide) to date since 1986 with over 11,000m2 completed
in Australia since 2002. (click here to see some Australian examples.)
There is flexibility to adjust and refine the Hydrocell RG30 and
Hydrocell 40 Lightweight Soil Mix combinations depending on each
job.
MSDS
Click to view our Material Safety
Data Sheet |
