Better Buildings

1. TRADITIONAL MATERIALS

2. ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS

3. DESIGN A LOW CARBON BUILDING

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

BUILDINGS

BUS SHELTERS

BIKE SHEDS

Carbon indicator

ZERO CO2

LOTS OF CO2

> VIEW ANSWER

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.

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.

Living roofs can attract pollinators
like bees and butterflies…

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

They can even help to reduce flooding
by absorbing rainwater

Fascinating facts

Living roofs have been used for thousands

of years. In Scotland many of the old

crofts (cottages) had roofs made of turf.

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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