Watch our How to Install video.

Component green roofs consist of a drainage layer, filter layer, substrate and sedum blankets or plugs, all installed separately.  Once installed the green roofs need irrigation and regular maintenance to aid establishment for 6-9 months after installation, requiring access and a permanent water supply to the roof.  In contrast, extensive sedum or brown modular roofs are pre-grown for 12-16 months prior to installation, and therefore do not require intensive aftercare or irrigation once installed.  This mitigates the risk of failure.  Modular systems are typically easier to install in most applications.

We recommend these few tools to help you install your GrufeKit (some are only necessary if you need to cut the modules to fit):

• Hacksaw
• Pliers
• Handsaw
• Tape measure
• Scissors
• Gloves
• Utility knife

Extensive green roofs and intensive green roofs sit (almost) at two opposite ends of the scale.  This page highlights the key features of both and how they can be designed for different purposes.  Let’s take a look at the key differences between extensive and intensive green roofs in different areas:

Maintenance: Extensive green roofs require low maintenance whereas intensive green roofs require higher levels of care (more intensive maintenance!). 

Irrigation: Extensive roofs do not require irrigation, whereas intensive roofs, due to the often more detailed planting designs, do require regular irrigation to stay healthy and looking good.

Planting design:  The planting design between extensive green roofs and intensive green roofs differs massively.  Extensive green roofs tend to have low-growing plants (due to the shallow substrate), such as moss, sedums herbs and sometimes grasses and wildflower.  On the other hand, as intensive green roofs have a much deeper substrate, there is greater plant choice.  This means that you have huge scope for design with an intensive roof, where you can incorporate grass lawn, perennials, shrubs and even trees.  The route you go down with your roof garden planting designs is dependant on the depth of the soil.  For example, a tree would require a deeper substrate to take root in, whereas if you were focusing on shrubs and perennial planting, you wouldn’t need the substrate layer to be so deep.

System build-up height:  Whilst extensive green roofs tend to stick around the 60-100mm height, intensive green roofs can range from 150 – 1000mm, which also drastically changes the weight.

Weight: As mentioned above, the depth of the soil has a big impact on the weight of your green roof.  Extensive green roofs tend to range from 60 - 150kg/m2, whereas intensive green roofs range from 160 – 500kg/m2.

Costs:  Extensive green roofs tend to be lower in cost, ranging from £30 - £90 per square metre, whereas with intensive green roofs, as you have so much flexibility with build-up and design, the cost whilst it is much higher, can not be prescribed easily.  To get a better idea of costs for an intensive green roof we’d recommend getting in touch.  Email us at enquiries@ans.global or call +44 1243 545818.

Use: Whilst extensive green roofs tend to be used as ecological protection layers or to cover a grey flat roof, intensive green roofs tend to be integrated to create a roof garden, where you have plenty of room for designs and creating a space for recreational use.  Extensive green roofs are rarely designed to be walked on (unless for access/maintenance), whereas intensive green roofs are often designed just for that purpose.

There are a number of reasons to consider including stone areas on a green roof, including factors like the roof's exposure to wind, the regulations you are following in the area where you are installing, and whether the aesthetics were a reason behind the installation of you or your client's green roof. 

 Let's go into more detail:

 Access: as plants such as Sedum are not intended to support frequent foot traffic it would be a good idea to consider stone paths if frequent access is required for maintenance or leisure

Aesthetic: some roof designs use stone areas to create artistic patterns or even a simple border might add character in some situations

Fire break: the FLL Guidelines and the GRO Green Roof Code include requirements for the provision of fire breaks within green roof design

Wind resistance: in particularly blustery areas a stone border can be used to prevent the chance of wind uplift pressures on the green roof

Prevent debris: a stone border can effectively stop wind-borne plant parts and debris reaching the edge of the roof and gutters

Meet regulations: some councils stipulate the inclusion of stone areas for a number of reasons (usually to act as a fire-break)

So while not all green roofs require stone areas it is often a wise consideration based on the reasoning above. If you are looking to include stone in your green roof we have some quality Scottish pebbles for this purpose, and for roofs needing a stone border where there is no parapet or upstand, you might consider using a GrufeGuard too.

Your GrufeKit will be delivered on a pallet with your chosen GrufeTiles and accessories, along with the correct amount of protection fleece (comes with the kit FOC).

Yes, you can lay the GrufeTiles on any waterproof membrane, including single ply, GRP fibreglass, EPDM rubber and felt.

Yes. As the GrufeKit is pre-grown and the plants are already acclimatised before they are delivered to site, there is no need for feeding and irrigation for the first 6-9 months to help the plants establish.  The sedum is also a hardy plant and requires very little maintenance.  You may need to clear out gutters of dead leaves and check the roof over in the Autumn, and if you feel necessary, strim the wildflowers at the end of the Summer.