What is a blue-green roof?

A blue-green roof integrates both stormwater management and green spaces to create a sustainable, eco-friendly solution for urban environments. It helps address challenges related to climate change, water management, and urban heat island effect while offering a wide range of benefits. Working alongside our sister company, Environmental Protection Group, the blue-green roofs we construct are designed to withstand a 100-year storm event.

building with a blue-green roof suds feature

What are the benefits of constructing a blue-green roof?

Stormwater management

This helps control stormwater runoff by absorbing rainwater, reducing flooding, and preventing drainage systems from becoming overwhelmed.

Energy efficiency

The combination of vegetation and water retention helps lower temperatures, reducing the need for air conditioning in buildings.

Biodiversity

A factor which needs to be considered in most projects, blue-green roofs support a wide variety of plant species, creating habitats for birds, insects, and other wildlife.

Improved air quality

Plants on the roof absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, helping improve air quality.

Aesthetic value

This adds green space and visual appeal to urban environments, potentially improving the quality of life for building occupants and surrounding communities.

What is involved in constructing a blue-green roof?

Construction of a blue-green roof involves integrating both water management (blue) and vegetation (green) components. It is a process that requires careful planning, design, and execution to ensure it functions efficiently while providing environmental benefits.

Below are the key steps involved.

flowers in bloom on SuDS roof

The process of a blue-green roof construction

design render of a blue green roof

Planning and design

This involves site assessments followed by roof type selection, a detailed water management plan, the vegetation selection and drainage considerations.

permavoid laid down on blue-green roof

Roof preparation

Structural reinforcement may be necessary, so we will reinforce the roof structure to support the additional weight of the green roof system and the water retention features.

Read more
installation of permavoid for a SuDS feature

Installing the blue roof components

A water retention layer is installed to capture and store rainwater. This helps reduce runoff and provides temporary storage for water to be slowly released. A drainage layer above the waterproofing is added to allow excess water to flow away and prevent the buildup of water that could damage the roof.

Read more
flowers in bloom on a blue-green roof

Installing the green roof components

A root barrier between the soil and the waterproof membrane is established to prevent plant roots from penetrating the roof structure. A drainage and filter layer is laid down to separate the soil from the drainage system. This layer helps prevent soil particles from clogging the drainage system.

Read more
person attending to the maintenance chamber of a blue green roof

Watering and maintenance systems

If necessary, we can install an irrigation system to provide supplementary water to the plants, especially during dry spells. A maintenance schedule to monitor and maintain both the blue and green components will be created to ensure the drainage is working correctly and the plants are staying healthy.

Read more

Why choose Carrick Construction?

Years of delivering successful projects speaks for itself.

We are part of STRI Group, established in 1929 and providing consultancy services across the world. With skills founded within the design, management and maintenance of sports surfaces, STRI Group continues to deliver and implement strategies for sports facilities and their surrounding infrastructure, as well as working within residential, corporate and commercial spaces.

Award-winning Group company, the Environmental Protection Group, is our environmental engineering business. EPG provides unrivalled expertise across a range of environmental engineering disciplines and works hand-in-hand with Carrick to offer bespoke and specialist design build solutions.

You can rest assured you’ll be working with the best in the industry.

blue green roof showing the planted areas

Get in touch

Click the button below to enquire with us today on your upcoming or existing projects and we’ll share how we can turn your ideas into a reality.

You might also be interested in…

Take a look through our other services and discover how Carrick Construction can provide you with effective and efficient solutions for a range of projects.

View all
SuDS construction of a planter

SuDS in Schools

groundswork rennovation

Groundworks

sports pitch maintenance carried out by tractor

Sports Maintenance