Mastic Asphalt: The Solid Foundation for Green Roofs

While green roofs are playing an increasingly important role in helping our cities adopt to climate change, a solid waterproofing foundation is an absolutely critical element of the build process.  Offering immense durability and outstanding green credentials, mastic asphalt has become the go-to solution for specifiers looking for a durable, eco-friendly material that is tough enough to take any green roof design. 

From improved air quality to reduced flooding risks, as well as providing much needed outdoor space, it comes as no surprise that the number of green roofs across the UK is soaring.  In central London alone there are more than 700 green roofs, covering an area of 175,000m².  Whether intensive or extensive, biodiverse or brown, it’s important to get the design right first time and one of the most important elements is the waterproofing layer.

Offering superb environmental credentials and good looks, a green roof system laid with a mastic asphalt waterproofing system enhances the environment, controls storm water run-off and reduces noise and heat transmissions by upgrading the acoustic and thermal performance of a roof.

When contractors use mastic asphalt for a green roof system  it eliminates the need for root barriers, which would have been necessary had a substitute material been used.  Alternative membranes to mastic asphalt are more prone to site damage leading to potentially catastrophic and expensive leaks. It also offers a safe, flame-free application.

One of the most cost-effective, long term waterproofing membranes of its kind, mastic asphalt outperforms other membranes on life cycle costs. It’shardly surprising that mastic asphalt is being positively encouraged as THE solution to all green roof and other waterproofing applications. In the unlikely event of a failure, its seamless structure means it can easily be spot repaired, eliminating the need for costly wholesale replacement.

To maintain the industry’s reputation and ensure a high-quality application every time, only trained craftsmen are allowed to install mastic asphalt under the Mastic Asphalt Council’s strict rules.

Mastic asphalt has one further advantage over other types of waterproof membrane – it is carbon neutral – a massive bonus for any building owner anxious to show their green credentials and, when it has reached the end of its useful life, it can be recycled or used as roof screed, minimising the impact on the environment.

This means the world-beating waterproofing solution can be specified on any green project, safe in the knowledge it will minimise the threat of climate change and tough enough to take any green roof design.

With the future of roofing looking green, the reliability and integrity of mastic asphalt has seen more and more architects specifying waterproofing membranes for a wide range of green roof applications – from schools to hospitals, office buildings to apartment blocks – making it their preferred choice for biodiverse habits that will indeed benefit us all both now and in the future.