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Image shows the logo for Pritchard & Pritchard, a leading living roof, living wall, podium and roof-top garden installation and maintenance company operating UK-wide.

The natural choice for urban greening

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Brown and biodiverse roofs

You are here: Pritchard & Pritchard / Living Roofs / Brown roofs

Roofs created in partnership with nature

A brown roof is an environmentally-friendly roof that recreates the ‘brown field’ site that existed before the building was constructed. It is left to self-seed with plants, via wind or bird, and self-populate with wildlife that was displaced by the build.

A biodiverse roof uses a similar substrate to a brown roof, but involves a crafted mix of seed or planting being introduced by the installer usually on the recommendation of an ecologist.

Contact P&P for a free consultation or quote

Brown roof construction

Brown roofs are waterproofed and insulated in a similar way to a green roof.

Then a special substrate is added that mimics the brown-field site upon which the building was constructed.

The brown roof is then left for plants to self-collonise with plants and animals, helped by the wind or birds.

See: Living roof FAQ for more information.

Free consultation FAQ Case studies

Brown roof ecology

Brown-field sites are often left undeveloped for many years, they will host a rich ecosystem of native plants and animal species, which will be severely impacted by development. Brown roofs recreate this environment.

Living roofs with deeper substrate and a mix of substrates, have a greater beneficial impact, improving invertebrate species richness e.g. spiders, beetles, sometimes rare species.

The creation of mounds provides refuge for invertebrates from extreme temperatures. Dead wood from trees felled creates habitats for stag beetles and other species.

Free consultation Case studies FAQ

Biodiverse roofs

Biodiverse roofs use a similar build and substrate to a brown roof, recreating the ‘brown field’ site that existed before the building was constructed.

Biodiverse roofs also include a crafted mix of seed or planting, often focusing on native species, specially formulated upon the recommendations of an ecologist to benefit pollinators, invertebrates and other wildlife.

Free consultation FAQ

Brown roof maintenance

Brown roofs are low maintenance, but left without attention they will be taken over by invasive weeds and deep-rooted species, that could damage the ecosystem and the waterproofing.

• Biannual or quarterly maintenance visits are recommended to: a) remove sapling trees and invasive shrubs such as Buddleia; b) clear unwanted weeds; and c) check the irrigation systems, gutters and drains.

See: Living roof maintenance for more information.

Free consultation Maintenance

Explainer / FAQ

  • How is a living roof constructed?
  • How do you choose a living roof system, supplier and installer?
  • What is the difference between a brown roof, blue roof and green roof?
  • What are the benefits of a living roof?
  • How do living roofs impact biodiversity?
  • Do green roofs impact chances of getting planning permission?
Consult our extensive living roof primer FAQ
Photo shows: fern unfurling – asks “Any Questions?” – signifies P&P’s green FAQ

Latest living roof case studies

Brown roof, Southampton

Image shows: a brown / biodiverse roof installed by P&P in Southampton, overlooking the Solent.
  • Brown roof
  • Living roof

A stunning 800m2 ecology-friendly brown roof for a new residential estate at Century Quay, Southampton. The roof has been left to self-collonise with native flora…

Read more

Blue roof, Kings Cross, London

Blue Roof Kings Cross
  • Blue roof
  • Living roof

This innovative 300m2 roof in the North London area of King’s Cross was completed in 2020. It combines the triumvirate of sustainable roofing: blue, green…

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Extensive roof, London

  • Green roof
  • Living roof

Two large living roofs, with extensive totalling 600m2. Planted with a mix of low-maintenance plants from the Sedum/stonecrop family.

Read more

Pritchard & Pritchard is the UK’s leading independent installer of living walls, living roofs, podiums and roof gardens.

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