Optigrün: Green Roof Systems for Sustainable Urban Development
OPTIGRÜN International AG is the market leader for green roofs in Europe. The specialist for green roofs of all kinds has been on the market for 50 years. The company works with partner companies who, together with OPTIGRÜN, can offer and implement even complicated tasks. The various systems are used on simple flat roofs as well as on pitched roofs and solar roofs. Even pitched roofs up to 45 degrees can be greened, and the system can store a great deal of water on roofs. In combination with photovoltaic systems, OPTIGRÜN achieves optimum cooling, in line with the requirements of our time.
Roof greening on flat roofs: the rafter roof
At the stand at DACH+HOLZ 2024, Mr. Marc Peters from Optigrün International AG introduces us to various green roof systems. The first thing we see is the popular, so-called "Spardach". Its structure shows the minimum that needs to be created on a flat roof in order to achieve extensive greening. The lowest layer consists of a root-resistant waterproofing layer with a storage and filter fleece, which also acts as a protective layer for the waterproofing. On top of this is a rainwater storage element, which serves the vegetation and at the same time guarantees drainage. This element is in turn protected by a filter fleece. The final layer is a certified extensive substrate, which can be sown, covered with vegetation mats or planted with small flat perennials.
Roof greening systems: Meander solution
Another system is called a meander solution. It is available in 30 or 60 mm. 30 mm stands for the option of backing up 30 mm of water and releasing it again with a time delay. This allows a peak discharge value of 0.1 to be achieved. With the 60mm solution, an additional 30mm of water storage and a peak discharge value of 0.17 come into play. In both cases, we are dealing with delayed rainwater management. While other roofs drain quickly and overload the sewers, a meander solution keeps the water on the roof and gradually returns it after a heavy rainfall event. The rest of the meander system is built up using filter layers and a special substrate, as already shown in the rafter roof solution. The special feature is the delayed water drainage.
Retention roof as the top class of green roofs
The top class of extensive green roofs works with a WRB 80F retention body, which can store 80 mm of water. This results in an additional 75 liters of water storage on the roof. Via special capillary bridges, this water is directed to a special capillary fleece and back into the substrate structure and thus into the green roof. Wherever there are plants, an enormous amount of evaporation occurs through photosynthesis. The water is fed back into the natural cycle through the capillary bridges and the capillary fleece. Of course, this requires precise knowledge of the water drainage of different roofs. OPTIGRÜN takes this into account by drilling different holes in the drainage throttle to regulate the amount of water run-off per second. This is how rainwater management works at OPTIGRÜN.
Solar green roof: Green roof with solar system
The highlight of the exhibition stand is a solar mounting system that towers above a green roof. The body of the elevation is made of corrosion-free aluminum, so no damage can occur to the substrate. Even if maintenance work were to be carried out on the greenery, this would not be a problem. The stands themselves have a bracket shape, they are very easy to install with just a few screws and can be perfectly aligned. The substrate for the final greening is applied afterwards. The whole system can be supplemented with the WRB 80F combination system, which actively cools the modules using the stored water. Cooled solar modules can work longer and better. Green roofs and solar are therefore not mutually exclusive. There is no either/or. Rather, this combination is a very sensible must for the environment.
Green roofs combine economy with ecology
The sealing of surfaces is progressing everywhere. Especially as a result of urban development, where every square meter is used to the detriment of nature due to the high cost of land. With greening systems from OPTIGRÜN, homeowners have the opportunity to combine economic efficiency with ecology and give a little something back to nature through the water cycle. As there are now many regulations that force building owners to green their roofs, it is difficult to quantify the benefits. OPTIGRÜN wants to offer maximum quality with its systems, so that the financial outlay for such a measure does not simply evaporate, but that the greening actively cools the house and protects the waterproofing on the building, making it more durable. A green roof is pleasing to the eye, good for the environment and easy on the client's wallet in the long term.
