Summer '22

GREENSCAPE
IN THIS ISSUE...
Matt Downs
Editorial Director
mattdowns@media-now.co.uk
07963 330774
www.greenscapemag.co.uk
The third instalment of World Green Roof Day took place on June 6th, and if
anyone still needed convincing of the ever-increasing popularity and importance
of green roofs, as well as the global appeal and love for these projects,
#WGRD2022 highlighted all this and so much more!
The annual event, founded by Chris Bridgman and Dusty Gedge, captured the
imagination of over 60 countries, with individuals and companies from Brazil to New
Zealand, and Norway to South Africa getting involved and showcasing the benefits of
projects of all sizes through video content and in-person rooftop tours, plus people of
all ages getting creative through the new Lego, Minecraft and poster challenges the
organisers launched this year! Read more about #WGRD2022 on page 6.
In his latest Academic Corner column on page 12, Dr Tom Young explains why he believes
the substrate “is the single most important component of a green roof”, and discusses the
key considerations you should make to ensure it performs as it should on projects.
Elsewhere in this issue, Mark Harris, Head of Technical and Operations at Radmat
Building Products and Chair of GRO, looks at the main guidance and regulations with
regards to the fire performance of green roofs (page 14); the experts at GRO address the
misconception that extensive green roofs are self-sufficient in our latest Mythbusters
column (page 18); Julian Thurbin, MD of Wallbarn, explains why time is of the essence
when getting products from field to roof (page 22); and with storm events becoming
increasingly more common, Brian Bell of Marley Alutec discusses best practice when it
comes to blue roofs (page 28).
So read on for all this and much more!
Front cover: Image courtesy of Wallbarn. Julian Thurbin looks at
the process of getting products from field to roof and explains why
time is of the essence on page 22.
GREENSCAPE
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CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE...
This magazine and its packaging can
be recycled.
p 12
Academic Corner
Dr Tom
Young of the
Environmental
Partnership talks
substrates.
p 14
Fire Safety
Mark Harris of
Radmat Building
Products and
Chair of GRO looks
at fire safety.
p 20
Correct spec
Nick Day,
Managing Director
of Optigrun
discusses product
selection.
In his latest Academic Corner column,
Tom looks at the some of the research
and findings regarding green roof
substrates, which he feels is the “most
important component of a green roof.”
P 12
In his update on the guidance for fire
safety on green, blue and biosolar roofs,
Mark discusses the key considerations
which need to be taken on board in this
crucial but tricky area for projects.
P 14
Nick explains why with requirements for
projects becoming increasingly varied, it’s
vital to ensure the correct products are
specified for each project to ensure the
roof performs as it should.
P 20
www.greenscapemag.co.uk • GREENSCAPE SUMMER 2022 3