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Blackdown was established in 1999 specifically to design, grow and install green roofing systems that provide solutions to many of the challenges that face the UK’s modern built environment. Today we work with clients, specifiers, waterproofing partners and contractors to deliver extensive, intensive and biodiverse green roofing systems.

Design:Technical & specification support ensuring the green roof meets the project’s requirements

Grow:Cultivation of a wide range of high quality plants at our nurseries

Supply:Providing high quality green roof components backed by expert training

Install:Cost-effective, high quality green roof installations from our experienced contracts team

Maintain:Affordable maintenance programmes ensure the development of long-term plant communities: guaranteed.

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Through this brochure we aim to introduce you to

the seemingly complex world of green roofing,

and to demonstrate ways in which we can help

widen the understanding of it. Our mission is to

help turn green roofing into a regular part of the

construction landscape.

To achieve this objective we have carried out

extensive research into important areas, such as

plant density, species cohabitation, flowering

characteristics, wildlife attraction, water

consumption, growing media composition and

depths. This knowledge, together with our

expertise in contracting, enable us to provide

green roof solutions that provide long lasting,

self-sustaining plant communities. We are so

confident in our green roof solutions that we back

them with a guarantee to match the term of the

waterproofing. Additionally, our extensive specialist

knowledge enables us to not only help clients

achieve their specific green roof requirements but

to meet (or exceed) UK Biodiversity Action Plans

requirements, to score higher BREEAM ratings and

to overcome planning and logistics constraints.

To help deliver a greater understanding of green

roofing, Blackdown:

• provides educational CPD seminars for clients,

specifiers and contractors.

• consults on projects, by telephone, e-mail and

face to face, advising on the most appropriate

green roof design for the project’s objectives/

constraints.

• produces System Information templates that

simplify selection and comparison to aid the

design process.

• produces System and bespoke NBS format

specifications to aid the specification process.

• produces System and bespoke Bill of Quantity

descriptions to aid the tendering process.

• supplies green roof systems and components

through the ‘by blackdown’ concept to

waterproofing manufacturer partners helping

ensure consistent quality green roofs on all

forms of waterproofing.

• trains specialist roofing and landscape

contractors estimators, designers, contracts

managers, supervisors and installers to help

ensure quality green roof installations.

• carries out Supply and Fix contracts directly for

roofing contractors and main contractors,

through our own directly employed highly

skilled in-house contracts team.

• undertakes ongoing maintenance in support of

the Blackdown Quality Guarantee and on 3rd

party installations.

• carries out remedial works to support clients.

• supports the small works and domestic green

roof market with the pre-grown modular

LiveRoof® by Blackdown system.

Today’s problems cannot be solved if we still think the way we thought when we created themAlbert Einstein

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design support for clients, planners, ecologists, specifiers, consultants, manufacturers and contractors

Holistic solutions for new and refurbishment projectsGreen roofing is our passion and we believe

that our experience in cultivating plants in the

UK’s climate, our roofing knowledge and

contracting experience set us apart.

We are always happy to discuss and advise on

green roofs at concept stage, providing design

and specification support and supplying budget

estimates. Simply put, our mission is to green the

UK’s roofs - new and old - with high quality roof

planting systems aiming at restoring the natural

balance.

The ProcessWe place great importance on forming

close working relations with the entire project

team, establishing the requirements when

formulating and implementing the design brief.

This process is fundamental to delivering the

desired outcome whilst maximising the added

value that the green roof brings to the project.

Our consultation process establishes the green

roof requirements, identifying any structural

limitations, key performance requirements,

prevailing environmental conditions and

installation restrictions such as time scales, building

geometry, access etc. .

Our broad range of horticultural, ecological and

roofing knowledge results in the development

of specifications that cover the flora and fauna

needs of the project, focused on the roof planting

issues and providing solutions appropriately

designed to sustain natural life.

Whether seeking to fulfil a biodiversity action plan

requirement, increase BREEAM ratings, provide an

aesthetic roof covering or overcome a project

constraint (structural or budgetary), Blackdown

devises solutions that provide the optimum green

roof and support it with technical information,

data sheets, CAD details and project specific

performance specifications.

The Next StepTo discuss a concept or a specific project call

us on 01460 234582, send an e-mail to technical@

blackdown.co.uk or visit our website for further

design assistance, including downloads for CAD

details and NBS format specifications:

www.blackdown.co.uk

PLANT STRATEGIES•Biodiversity

•BREEAM

•Instantgreening

•Lowstructuralloads

•Aestheticappeal

•Patterneddesigns

•Budgetconstraints

•Amenity&recreation

Disability Essex: Centre for Disability Studies

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In basic terms a green roof has to replicate ground conditions in such a way that plant life can be sustained at roof level. To do this a number of layers are used to create the green roof and protect the waterproofing. These layers typically include a protection fleece, a drainage/retention board, a filter fleece, the growing medium and the planting.

Extensive Green RoofsExtensive green roofs require minimal

maintenance and are suitable for new or

refurbishment applications on flat or pitched roofs

and over a variety of waterproofing technologies.

They provide an ecological cover that delivers a

range of financial and environmental benefits.

Installed with a level Vulkatec substrate depth

the vegetation is selected from a range

of drought tolerant plants including hardy

succulents such as sedum, grasses, herbaceous

perennials, native wildflowers and alpines.

Intensive Green RoofsAkin to a traditional garden on the roof. Intensive

roofs often replicate the features and benefits of a

domestic garden or city park, providing space for

recreation and amenity. Applications can range

from providing outdoor roof space at restaurants

and office blocks to creating ground-level

landscaping above subterranean car parks.

Lakeland Ltd, Alexandra Building, Windermere

St Nicholas School, Exeter

Edge Hill University, Ormskirk

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Biodiverse RoofsSimilar in composition to Extensive Roofs, and

suitable for similar applications, Biodiverse Roofs

utilise differing growing mediums tailored to suit

the planting. Habitats can be created by installing

the substrate at variable depths with additional

features such as lying timber or shelter stones.

Delivering valuable environmental benefits

consistent with the surrounding landscape and

attracting local or targeted wildlife, biodiverse

roofs can attain additional BREEAM credits (see

BREEAM Information Sheet on the Blackdown

website).

green roof design

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The planting of the green roof system can be achieved in a number of ways, each affording a particular benefit or fulfilling a specific requirement.

Plug Planting for species diversity & aspect:Plug plant applications begin with a recommended installation rate of 20 plugs per m² to provide a minimum of 10% plant cover on completion. More cover can be achieved through the application at a higher rate per m². Achievement of 100% plant cover will take 12 to 18 months depending on location and care. The diverse range of hardy succulent and wildflower plug plants available provide an attractive plant cover that can be custom-designed to achieve specific themes (such as diversity of colour/pattern, heights and flowering times) and often utilising specific species to suit the location.

Hydroplanted/Seed system for value engineering:These systems provide zero plant cover at completion as the finished surface is covered with a brown mulch under which the cuttings and/or seeds will grow. The plant cover will typically take 18 to 24 months to germinate and grow to 100% plant cover.

A mix of seeds and/or cuttings, mulch and fertiliser are applied through hydroplanting (spraying) or hand sowing on to the prepared Blackdown growing medium. Particularly suited to large roof areas where a fast installation method and low initial supply cost are sought.

House for the Future, St Fagans National History Museum, Wales

Pizza Hut, Asda Swindon

The Snow Centre, Hemel Hempstead

Pre-grown blanket for instant greening:Pre-grown blankets provide almost complete plant cover on the day of completion. They are also suitable for application on roof pitches above 20 degrees pitch unlike other planting methods.

Blackdown NatureMat® provides a minimum 90% mature plant cover comprising 6-8 sedum sedum species.

Blackdown MeadowMat is a pre-grown Wildflower turf providing a minimum 90% mature plant cover consisting of a range of native herbaceous wildflowers, grasses and hardy succulent species tolerant to the harsh conditions found in a roofscape environment.

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Since our foundation we have carried out

extensive research and development into a wide

variety of plant species to establish how well they

will work at roof level.

Today we continue to grow NatureMat®, the

pre-grown sedum blanket developed in the late

1990’s, at our sites in Somerset. It remains second

to none in terms of plant density and quality.

Grown naturally for at least one growing season

prior to sale NatureMat does not suffer from the

weak root systems associated with blankets force

grown in tunnels, and its wide variety of small and

broad leaf sedum species facilitate greater plant

density and hardiness a necessity to withstand

harsh roof top conditions.

The same expertise and care is used to grow

around 50 species of sedum plugs and a wide

range of wildflower plugs; expertise that has also

enabled us to establish regional growing partners

for Blackdown products such as MeadowMat and

the LiveRoof® by Blackdown modular green roof

system. We also undertake contract growing of

project specific pre-grown vegetative blankets,

plug plants and/or shrubs.

We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if mankind is to surviveAlbert Einstein

The foundation of Blackdown was based entirely on horticultural knowledge and specifically in the development of a pre-grown sedum blanket green roof system for use at roof level.

grow

To support these developments in the market

we have introduced ‘by blackdown’, a method

of providing high quality blackdown green roof

systems in collaboration with waterproofing

manufacturers and specialist contractors. Based

on the ‘Intel Inside®’ marketing concept used in

the IT industry this system delivers a Blackdown

green roof system regardless of the preferred

waterproofing technology.

We recognise that the waterproofing is the

primary concern of the client, specifier, specialist

and main contractor, and like Intel® we only

provide a component in the overall roofing

system, albeit an important component. This

understanding, and many waterproofing

manufacturers identification of their need to have

a consistent high quality green roofing solution has

enabled us to introduce ‘by blackdown’ green

roof solutions.

Through the ‘by blackdown’ green roof systems

we are able to provide planting to meet the

project’s requirements, a range of high quality

independently certified Vulkatec growing

mediums and drainage/retention boards tailored

to suit the waterproofing technology. Putting

these core elements together with a range of

green roof components and accessories enables

the waterproofing manufacturer to pass on the

Blackdown guarantee.

In support of roofing and landscape contractors

wishing to enter the green roof market we have

introduced a management and installation

training programme that supports their entry into

the market and provides a path to an NVQ Level II

qualification for operatives.

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For further information on ‘by blackdown’ green roof partners and Blackdown Authorised Contractors contact Blackdown on 01460 234582.

Since our establishment as a specialist green roof manufacturer and contractor the market has changed dramatically, with most waterproofing suppliers offering green roof systems and roofing & landscape contractors seeking opportunities to install green roof systems.

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Transport for London, West Ham Bus Garage

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Blackdown ContractsOur in house contracts department represents a

single source green roof solution provider that aims

to deliver a high quality green roof on time and

to budget, whether one of our own green roofing

systems or one from a waterproofing manufacturer

or green roof system supplier. With a proven track

record of installing quality green roofs since 1999,

Blackdown Contracts has accumulated unrivalled

experience, building upon horticultural, roofing and

contracting expertise.

Working for a specialist roofing contractor or directly

for the main contractor we work with the entire

construction team to finalise the specification,

value engineer where appropriate, agree the

programme and advise on the significant logistics

issues associated with green roof installation.

As expected from a professional contracting

business we are CHAS accredited and our

NEBOSH qualified staff help us to achieve high

safety standards; both in house and on site. In

recognition of this we were the first green roofing

contractors to become members of the NFRC

(National Federation of Roofing Contractors),

achieving a Silver medal at the first time of

entering the Safety in Roofing awards and

subsequently a Gold medal.

Every Blackdown Contracts quotation breaks down

the tender in a Bill of Quantities format, highlights

the assumptions made, clearly states the logistics

requirements to deliver the green roof and includes

extras such as trims, maintenance etc. .

The Bill of Quantities format covers the 3 planting

options (blanket, plug & seed) where appropriate

to the project, enabling the reader to compare

the value engineering options vs the plant cover

considerations.

The logistics requirements will state clearly the

unloading and craneage requirements to deliver

the components to roof level, and identify the

savings that delivering the Vulkatec substrate by

silo tanker will provide.

The extra’s page, in Bill of Quantities format,

identifies clearly the cost for items that cannot be

measured with the information provided. It will

also identify the cost for silo tanker delivery, the

unique Blackdown Temporary Irrigation Unit, a

practical completion maintenance visit and the

ongoing annual maintenance required for the

guarantee.

Once a tender has been submitted our

experienced contract team is on hand to discuss

the tender and support the roofing or main

contractor in understanding the options and

to help to achieve the budgeted price without

compromising on quality.

When on site our directly employed and

experienced Site Supervisers and Assistant Site

Supervisers make up two man teams that run our

site teams, no matter where the project is based in

mainland UK. The skills of these teams enables us

to fine-tune installation methodologies to suit the

specific construction site conditions, recognising

the most suitable access and installation method

for substrates and plants alike; maximising value

within the supply chain.

Throughout the process the integrity of the

waterproofing is our number one priority, which is

why we start every project with a comprehensive

handover inspection in conjunction with the

roofing contractor recording the inspection on a

handover sheet and by photographic record.

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n Delivery of 30m³ of Vulkatec substrate at roof

level in under 3 hours, something that would

typically take a crane an entire day, saving

installation time and cost on site

n A reduction in Health & Safety risk as no

overhead lifting is required and other trades

are not affected by this movement of goods.

Additionally no slinger banksman in required

saving on manpower.

n Reduced waste streams as no pallets or

packaging are required to get the Vulkatec

substrate to site or onto the roof.

n The ability to access difficult sites or roof

locations – the tanker can pump the substrate

up to 150m in any direction, including up to

65m vertically.

n The ability to deliver mixed loads of growing

medium or growing medium and gravel

ballast thanks to its 3 compartments.

To find out more about the benefits of silo tanker deliver go to the Blackdown websites resources page or contact Blackdown Contracts on 01460 234582.

Silo Tanker DeliveryThe unique Vulkatec silo tanker delivery system provides many benefits to the installation of a green roofing system, including;

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IrrigationAll green roofs require irrigation during installation

to ensure the best establishment of the plant

systems. When the systems consist of a pre-grown

blanket or plug plant each layer (drainage board,

substrate, plant layer) should be saturated during

the installation process. Where a hydroseed or

seed system is used only the drainage board and

substrate should be saturated at installation as

the spray applied mulch will contain the water to

irrigate the cuttings and/or seeds.

Post installation ongoing irrigation will be required

for between 1 and 6 weeks depending on season.

Typically the periods that require irrigation are the

Spring and Summer months (April to October)

however in unseasonable warm spells irrigation

may be required in other months.

To assist the main contractor and specialist

contractor in delivering this temporary irrigation

Blackdown has developed a portable temporary

irrigation unit that eliminates many of the

headaches associated with providing temporary

irrigation.

The self contained unit consists of a water storage

tank, pumps, a programmable electronic timer

and a series of valves that control 7 outlet points.

Mounted on wheels with certified lifting eyes and

ground anchors, the unit can be placed at roof

level, within a compound or anywhere on site

where it can be secured.

Once installed a Blackdown engineer will set up

the programmable timer to fill and discharge at

appropriate times, covering up to 7 zones at a

time. All the main contractor has to provide is a ¾”

water feed and a 110v power supply.

Available to hire weekly or purchase the

Blackdown Temporary Irrigation Unit provides a

simple to install and operate method of irrigation,

and can provide temporary irrigation whilst a

permanent irrigation system is installed helping to

keep projects running to programme.

It is that range of biodiversity that we must care for - the whole thing - rather than just one or two starsSir David Attenborough

MaintenanceThe level of maintenance required on a green

roof will vary depending on the system installed.

Intensive green roof systems require extensive

maintenance akin to a ground level garden.

Extensive and Biodiverse green roofs can be

considered as low maintenance, but they are

definitely not No maintenance. It is important

that all types of green roof are maintained on a

regular basis, as with other types of roof coverings

and ground level planting. As a living surface,

specialist horticultural aftercare is required to

maintain quality and allow the environmental,

economic and social benefits to be sustained

especially if the green roof has been chosen for

aesthetic effect, biodiversity or BREEAM benefit.

Problems that may occur due to lack of

maintenance and management include:

n Invasive Plant Species: as inevitable on any

green roof as they are in a garden. They lead

to aesthetic degradation, potential increased

fire risk and compromise of load bearing

restrictions. Borne on the wind, unwanted

species arrive on the roof and can grow to

a size/quantity where they out-compete the

specified species. Left alone they die back in

the dry months leaving brown dead biomass,

bare patches and seeds that support their

growth the following season.

n Pests, Disease and Debris: these can

damage the specified plant layer and

increase the likelihood of contamination by

invasive species. For example dead Autumn

leaves allow pests such as aphids to breed at

roof level. Removal of dead flower heads and

old growth also improves and neatens up the

appearance of the roofscape.

n Browning or Reddening of the Plant Layer: green roofs naturally undergo seasonal colour

change but nutrient stresses can cause year

round aesthetic degradation. Maintaining

the correct level of nutrients in the growing

medium is essential to maintain the correct

plant species ratio.

n Reduction in Biodiversity (especially

Biodiverse roofs): a lack of maintenance can

allow more vigorous plant species to overrun

those that are rare and spread less rapidly for

a specific goal in small quantities. In order to

allow the proliferation of certain species that

may provide important food, and/or nectar,

and/or habitat resources for invertebrates and

birds, it is crucial to monitor development of

the vegetation layer. This applies in particular

to BREEAM stipulations laid out at design

stage.

n System failure: a lack of maintenance can

ultimately lead to total green roof system

failure unless the correction of the above is

addressed regularly during the lifetime of a

green roof. Total failure of the system could

also affect BREEAM rating or more seriously

rainwater attenuation performance.

n Invalidation of guarantee: failure to maintain

an annual maintenance programme

will invalidate the Blackdown guarantee,

which guarantees a self sustaining plant

community for a duration to match that of the

waterproofing, or longer if the maintenance

programme is maintained.

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maintain

Non-maintained green roof Maintained green roof

Blackdown is a unique company consisting of horticultural, roofing

and contracting experts working together to bring high quality

horticulture based green roof systems to the built environment.

Working with clients, specifiers, ecologists, contractors and

waterproofing partners we design green roof systems to meet the

individual requirements of every project.

For further information, design and specification support,

educational CPD seminars, green roof training, supply only or

supply and fix quotations, remedial consultation or maintenance

programmes please contact us using the details below.

Blackdown Horticultural Consultants Ltd, Street Ash Nursery, Lisieux Way, Combe St Nicholas, Chard, Somerset, TA20 3HZt. 01460 234582 f. 0845 0760267 e. enquiries@blackdown.co.uk www.blackdown.co.ukCompany Registration No. 3808516 VAT Registration No. 737237522

Telephone numbersGeneral 01460 234582

Technical 01460 230106

Estimating 01460 230106

Contracts 01460 230105

Supply 01460 230103

Training 01460 230105

Maintenance 01460 230108

e-mail contactsGeneral enquiries@blackdown.co.uk

Technical technical@blackdown.co.uk

Estimating estimating@blackdown.co.uk

Contracts contracts@blackdown.co.uk

Supply supplies@blackdown.co.uk

Training training@blackdown.co.uk

Maintenance maintenance@blackdown.co.uk

Fax 0845 0760267

Internet www.blackdown.co.uk

Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/Blackdown-Greenroofs/

Twitter www.twitter.com/blackdownroofs

LinkedIn http://uk.linkedin.com/in/blackdown

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ContraCtors HEaLtH & saFEtY assEssMEnt sCHEME

Accredited Contractorwww.chas.gov.uk