FAQ
If you have any questions that we haven’t covered here, please contact us and we’ll do the best we can to answer them.
Viritopia and Scotscape’s systems are non-comparable. Let’s break it down and look at the separate parts so you can differentiate more easily:
Yes you can value engineer a living wall. Be aware, it could be proposed to replace a modular soil-based living wall with wires, climbers or troughs and ivy screens. However, this is not true ‘value engineering’ as whilst you are reducing the cost you are also reducing the value considerably. For example, in regard to plant coverage and aesthetics, you’ll never get full plant cover with wires and climbers, yet with a modular soil-based system you will. For biodiversity, soil is key.
Always be aware of the value you are getting from a system before swapping or engineering it out.
With an Viritopia Living Wall, you can value engineer the system. By procuring early, we can do a contract grow for your project, meaning we propagate the plants which is more cost effective. A simpler planting design also makes a cost saving for you.
Here is a list of our accreditations:
- Viritopia is a Constructionline Gold member
- In-line with CSCS
- SMAS Worksafe contractor
- Compliant with SSIP
- Trained under Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS)
The Viritopia Living Wall System has a fire rating of B,s2-d0. No living wall system will ever achieve better than this, as plants will always be combustible.
Here’s an overview of fire ratings of green wall systems in the market:
Viritopia Living Wall: B,s2-d0
Biotecture Hydroponic Living Wall: B,s3-d2
Scotscape: B,s2-d0
Hedera: B,s2-d0
Oasis: B,s2-d0
Important note: watch out for living wall systems that claim a Class A rating! It’s been found out that some companies are fire testing the build-up components (so for us that would be like testing the sub-frame, membrane, and the module) without the planting medium and plants. This gives a false report.
You may find these resources on fire regulations and guidance helpful:
PDF Document: Method to Limit Spread of Flame and Restrict Combustibility Guide
Online CPD (view upcoming sessions): How and Where to Design a Living Wall to Meet Fire Regulations
Blog: Living wall fire regulations explained: All you need to know
PDF report: Viritopia Living Wall Fire Strategy & Design Considerations by Hoare Lea
There are several other companies who provide living or green walls in the UK. It is important to note that the systems however are not the same or even comparable in some cases.
- Biotecture (bought out by Mitie), they focus on hydroponics.
- Scotscape, focus on felt pocket system.
- Hedera, offer a mixture of hydroponic, pocket and screens.
- Oasis, similar to Hedera in living wall offering.
- I Want Plants, main focus is on indoor plant displays.
If you’d like to talk through the differences between the companies in more detail, please feel free to reach out to us. We’ve done extensive research and are able to offer a concise comparison to help you make your decision.
Once regular growth has been established, your green roof will not need watering unless it has been through an extended dry period or is an intensive green roof.
Extensive green roof systems tend to come pre-grown and established so watering is not necessary unless as mentioned, you are going through an unusually dry period.
Essentially, green roofs require some form of establishment watering until the plants have developed a root system.
Yes, most green roofs you can walk on. We don’t advise regular footfall on brown, biodiverse or extensive green roof systems apart from during maintenance. For instance, when fertilizing the roof once a year or weeding the roof. This is where stone borders or paths come in handy, as they can be used to access areas of the roof without affecting the planting.
They type of plants you choose will depend on the application (is it domestic or commercial?) the type of green roof system you have and how much maintenance you want to be carrying out on it. For low maintenance, we advise using Sedum varieties (often used in extensive systems) as the specie is hardy and self-sufficient. However, if you are looking for more design freedom and don’t mind carrying out or scheduling regular maintenance, you can start to look at wildflower, semi-intensive and intensive green roof systems, where you are able to design with a large variety of plants. Read more on which plants are best for your green roof in our blog.