In addition to being attractive, green roofs offer a host of measurable benefits:

1. Utility & Value.  Using the rooftop as an amenity where people can work, relax or socialise is a considerable benefit in these days where land and space is at a premium.  The extra living space adds value to the property.
2. Reduction of Urban ‘Heat Island’.  It has been proved that where there is urban sprawl there is an increase in temperature caused by impervious surfaces.  As temperatures rise, air quality is compromised.  Living roofs cool and steady the temperature and act as a humidity control thereby improving air quality.
3. Storm Water Management.  One of the key characteristics of living roofs is their ability to retain significant quantities of water and to release it through slower run off and evapotranspiration (a combination of evaporation and use by the vegetation).  This means less pressure is exerted on the sewer system thereby reducing flash flood risk.  It may even be a viable option to use a living roof as an attenuation system rather than constructing subterranean tanks.
4. Filtration of Dust and Pollutants.  The vegetation absorbs carbon and stores it.  This is known as carbon sequestration.  Research on extensive roofs in America shows that more than 500 grams of carbon per square metre can be stored in this way.  It is well documented that the vegetation also filters out other airborne dusts and pollutants.  These processes improve the quality of the air we breathe.
5. Replacement Habitats.  Bio-diverse roofs provide habitats lost through development.
6. Aid to Planning Consent.  Local authority policies are increasingly favourable towards the installation of living roofs.
7. Reduction in Power Demand.  The insulation capacity of a living roof is problematic as a fully saturated roof will act as a cold bridge.  Nevertheless the roof is not always at full saturation point so over the course of a year it has been proven to affect the power demands of a building - less demand for heating in winter and cooling in summer.  The differences are more marked during the summer months as the roof is actually shaded by the plant matter.  A study carried out in Toronto in 2005 showed that energy savings would be 4.15 kWh/sq m/year on average.  This may vary slightly to the UK due to differences in weather patterns.
8. Recycle Materials.  The system we use makes use of recycled plastics within build up, and wherever possible we use site debris as a substrate.
9. Reduction in Noise.  Levels can be reduced by up to 8db.