Green Roof to New Self Build Eco House in Dorset

August 10, 2017

Back in July Sam went back to Chalk Wall House for birthday celebrations. As part of annual maintenance checks he went up on to the green roofs of the house to inspect the rainwater outlets and see how things are growing - 7 years on from planting. The plants for this roof on a new build eco house in Dorchester were Blackdown Horticultural in Somerset. They advised on the best type of system for the two sides of the house; a low pitch north facing roof (top image), and a much steeper south facing (middle image) respectively. The south roof has a system of crates which retain the lean growing medium, comprised largely of crushed brick and pummice! Both systems sit on top of a single ply waterproofing membrane and protective fleece layer. A green roof is great for wildlife, reduces heat loss and heat gains, and provides an acoustic buffer to the noise of the railway lines only metres from the Rammed (Earth) Chalk Walls to the house. The green roof is just one part of making this house a true 'Eco House'; a biomass boiler, rainwater harvesting, solar thermal water heating, triple glazing, wood fibre insulation, lime render, natural paint finishes, and an untreated timber clad timber frame all minimise the environmental impact of this innovative new house, which crucially is also a great place to live!