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Better Buildings
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1. TRADITIONAL MATERIALS
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2. ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS
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3. DESIGN A LOW CARBON BUILDING
Living roof
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LIVING ROOF

A living roof is one that is made of plants, usually a mat made of plants called Sedums.

What it is used for

Homes with living roofs

BUILDINGS

Bus shelter with living roof

BUS SHELTERS

Wooden bike shelter

BIKE SHEDS

Carbon indicator

ZERO CO2

LOTS OF CO2

> VIEW ANSWER
Existing roof

Interesting information

Living roofs are very drought tolerant and so do not need to be watered once they have been laid.

As well as helping to reduce carbon, living roofs are also good for the environment.

Turf
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A drought-tolerant plant is one that can survive when there is very little rain.
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Pollinators are animals that help to move pollen from one part of a flower to another so that they can reproduce.
Butterfly

Did you know?

The structure is the part of the building that holds everything - the floors and the roof - up. Recycled means using a material again, by changing it in some way first, like melting it down. Butterfly on flower

Living roofs can attract pollinators
like bees and butterflies…

A green city

…and they can help to make towns and
cities more attractive to live in.

Living roofs reduce stormwater

They can even help to reduce flooding
by absorbing rainwater

Fascinating facts

Stone croft

Living roofs have been used for thousands

of years. In Scotland many of the old

crofts (cottages) had roofs made of turf.

Living roof

As well as helping to reduce CO₂ in the atmosphere, the plants on

living roofs also help to trap tiny particles in the air and so help to

reduce air pollution.

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