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Product category: Roofing
News Release from: Bauder | Subject: Sedum re-roofing project
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial Team on 28 July 2005

Largest sedum re-roofing project in the
UK

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Ethelred Estate in the heart of London has recently undergone a complete renovation with its green roof, the largest sedum re-roof in the UK.

Ethelred Estate, comprising nine blocks of high-rise tenements within the heart of London has recently undergone a complete renovation with its green roof, the largest sedum re-roof in the UK, being its crowning glory Similar high-density council estates that were built in the 1960's and 1970's had overlooked basic elements such as safe and secure homes, which need to be warm and dry and affordable

Ethelred has become a flagship for others to follow.

Its recent regeneration programme has tackled the above issues of basic human expectations with the inclusion of a sedum green roof playing a vital role.

Supplied by Bauder, whose established relationship with the London Borough of Lambeth enabled them to bring their extensive knowledge of green roofs to Ethelred, this alternative roofing finish to that of traditional felt roofs usually associated with such dwellings, is already turning heads and making others within the area think again about their own rooftop options.

So what are the benefits of a green roof? Apart from the aesthetics, a green roof has many major contributory factors towards sustainability and environmental issues.

One of these that has a direct impact on Ethelred due to is its location proximity to the Thames, is a green roof's ability to help manage storm-water runoff.

It has already been admitted that the Victorian sewage system currently used cannot be replaced and can no longer cope efficiently with the extreme weather conditions that are becoming everyday occurrences.

A green roofs speed reduction of storm-water runoff will ensure that pollution to land and water within the immediate vicinity will be significantly decreased.

The water retentive sedum plants that come in blanket format and are installed along the same principal as rolling out turf also create microclimates within our cities to aid insects and smaller birds.

These 'green tiles' will help create greater biodiversity for species movement to and from the nearby Thames.

And for the tenants? Although the initial outlay for a green finish may appear more when compared to a traditional roofing method, a green roof provides the better value in terms of whole life cost.

For example the sedum blanket gives protection of the roof from UV damage, significantly extending the roof's life and subsequently reducing future maintenance and repair costs.

Internal thermal control by keeping the flats cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter gives greater comfort to the residents, whilst reducing expensive heating costs during the colder months.

The air quality is improved as the sedum plants digest harmful CO2 emissions, something that is usually more significantly noticeable within areas of higher population, creating a positive health impact in the community.

Finally with expanding airports and greater car congestion, green roofs can help aid noise pollution giving residents a more relaxed and peaceful place to come home to.

With Ethelred's Tenants Management Organisation (TMO) tackling issues of environmental, social and economic sustainability from every possible angle, the Bauder green roof is a visual representation that successfully combines sustainability with practicality to produce an environmental vision to encourage others to invent, inform, inspire and install.

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