The latest press releases

The conservation of biodiversity (biological diversity) in nature, is considered to be an important basis for human well-being. Green roofs too are capable of contributing to this; it is mainly low-maintenance roofs, that is to say, quite undisturbed green roofs, that are important refuges for various animal and plant species. Beetles, wild bees and butterflies find food and shelter there. However, the development of biodiversity depends to a great extent on how the habitats that are provided for the flora and fauna on a roof are structured.

Zinco, the innovative green roof manufacturer has developed the “Urban Climate Roof”, a new system build-up and pioneering solution to counteract the heating up of densely populated towns and cities. The “Urban Climate Roof” boasts an extremely high evaporation capacity due to its design with irrigation and special plants and, therefore, provides for the active cooling of the ambient temperature. This allows for existing roof areas to be used directly as additional green areas and to have a positive impact on the urban climate.

The private dwelling house, Gleneagles Drive Residence with its spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean is in one of the most sought after neighbourhoods of West Vancouver. The flat-roof building on a hillside location, comprising a number of individual components, has an extensive green roof area totalling approx. 180 m² and presents itself as being just as cultivated and elegant as the sophisticated neighbourhood in which it is situated. Zinco Canada Inc. supplied the suitable system build-up “Sedum Carpet” – simple and flowering.

Sustainability is a real buzzword in the construction sector but things are only truly sustainable if they work properly in the long term and this often depends on structural details. For example, if a fall protection system required by law is planned for a flat roof or a solar energy system or if railings have to be fitted around the sparkling new roof garden, unfortunately, the roof is often penetrated in order to secure these elements. However, in certain circumstances this can create cold or thermal bridges and weak points in the roof waterproof membrane.

“Managing to achieve the same type of landscape on a roof as on the ground“. With this principle in mind, Zinco supplies the product Stabilodrain® SD 30 which allows for the installation of permanently reliable walkways and driveways on roofs.

Increasingly overheated towns and cities, on the one hand, and an increase in heavy rain events, flooding and a reduction in the water table on the other are creating problems for conurbations. It is a clear sign that the ecology of the water cycle has been seriously disturbed – the result of climate change and land sealing. This is where a green roof comes into play. It stores stormwater and allows it to drain off at pre-defined intervals or to evaporate on the roof.

The combination of green roof and solar energy is not in trend for no reason. It is already well known that this combination can produce significant synergy effects: the green roof provides the superimposed load required to protect the system against wind uplift. Therefore, there is no need for roof penetration or heavy individual point loads. In addition, green roofs provide for a lower ambient temperature compared with bare or gravelled roofs and as a result they help to increase the yield from a solar energy system.

The larger the roof area, the greater the pressure on your budget. For this reason, Zinco has created a single product that incorporates a number of the functional layers found in a green roof build-up. Supplied in rolls and with the filter sheet already attached, Fixodrain® XD 20 offers a protective, drainage, water retaining and ventilation layer in one. The system build-up with Fixodrain® XD 20 is particularly suitable for the expansive area of an extensive green roof – and even for inverted roofs.

The increase in rain events and flooding and a lowering of the water table are clear indicators that the ecology of the water cycle has been severely impaired as a result of climate change and the consistently high level of soil sealing. This is where green roofs come into play, providing additional green space in densely developed urban areas. Each green roof stores a certain quantity of stormwater and then allows it to run-off in a time delay or to evaporate on the roof.