Blue roofs and the benefits of installing a sustainable roofing solution
October 2023
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+44 (0)1268 777871Blue roofs are a type of roofing system that uses a water storage layer to help manage stormwater runoff and improve the overall sustainability of a building. They are often incorporated with green roofs, but can also be used with hard surface finishes, pavers, ballast, and brown roofs. They can also referred to as green or living roofs, but, for the benefit of this article, there is a difference – and it should be noted that a conventional green roof does not require a blue roof system to be incorporated into the build-up.
The market for blue roofs in the UK is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. A recent report by Market Research Future predicts that the global market for blue roofs will reach $6.5 billion by 2027, with the UK being one of the key growth markets.
This growth is being driven by a number of key factors, one of them being Government support. The UK government has introduced a number of policies to support the adoption of blue roofs, such as the Green Infrastructure Fund and the Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) policy.
The Green Infrastructure Fund is a £750 million fund that was launched in 2014 to support the development of green infrastructure projects across the UK. Green infrastructure is defined as "a network of multifunctional green space that provides a wide range of environmental, economic and social benefits". Blue roofs are considered to be within that green infrastructure, as they provide a number of environmental benefits, such as reducing flood risk and improving air quality.
The Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) is a government policy that requires new developments to incorporate SUDS measures into their design. SUDS are designed to manage rainwater runoff in a sustainable way, and blue roofs are considered to be an efficient SUDS measure.
In addition, the UK government has also introduced a number of other policies that support the adoption of blue roofs, such as The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which sets out the government's planning policies for England. The NPPF states that local planning authorities should "promote sustainable drainage systems (SUDS)" and "require new development to provide green infrastructure, including SUDS".
The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 also requires local authorities to develop flood risk management strategies. These strategies should consider the use of SUDS to reduce flood risk. The Water Environment (Water Charges) (England) Regulations 2010 allow water companies to offer reduced tariffs as incentives to customers who install SUDS measures, such as blue roofs.
Blue roofs offer a number of benefits, such as helping to reduce the risk of flooding by absorbing and storing rainwater. This is particularly important in urban areas, where there is often a lot of hard surfaces that can lead to flash flooding.
Blue roofs can also help to improve air quality by filtering pollutants. This can lead to a number of health benefits for people living in and around the building. They can also help to reduce energy costs by insulating the building and keeping it cool in the summer and have been proven to increase biodiversity by providing a habitat for plants and animals. This can make urban areas more liveable and sustainable.
More importantly, blue roofs are needed to help address a number of challenges facing the UK, such as climate change, which is leading to more extreme weather events, such as heavy rainfall. This can lead to flash flooding, which can damage property and infrastructure. Blue roofs, as already mentioned, help to reduce the risk of flooding by absorbing and storing rainwater.
Proteus Waterproofing is a leading provider of blue roof solutions in the UK, offering a comprehensive range of services. Our team of experienced designers will design the perfect blue roof system for all types of projects and have a wide range of blue roof products and systems to choose from to develop systems that meet every specific need and budget.
There are a huge number of benefits in dealing with a company like ours that can design, develop and deliver the complete blue roof. As a specialist, we have the expertise and experience to design and deliver high-quality systems that meet the highest of UK Building Standards and Regulations.
It means that when you deal with a single company, you can be sure that everything will be taken care of, from the initial design to the final installation – total peace of mind knowing that your investment is protected.
Blue roofs are a sustainable roofing solution that offer a number of benefits, including reduced flood risk, improved air quality, reduced energy costs, and increased biodiversity. The market for blue roofs in the UK, as we have discovered, is expected to grow significantly – and if you want to be part of it – call us.
