With the increase in construction of apartments, Maltese roofs are begging for a new era of greening. The virtues offered by roof gardens should encourage many to find environmentally-friendly uses for neglected roof space. Here are a few benefits of turning that dull roof into a thriving roof garden that will have your friends singing ‘The roof, the roof, the roof is on fire!’
1. Aesthetic appeal
Perhaps the most obvious reason for transforming your bare roof into a green space is that rooftop gardens enhance aesthetic appeal. Such gardens can support the growth of lawns, plants and trees, creating a visually-appealing space that’s a perfect oasis, ideal for lounging and entertainment.
2. Increase the value of your property
In the same way a garden increases the value of a property, having a green rooftop space – whether in the case of a flat, penthouse or house – can put your property’s price up considerably.
3. Reduce noise pollution
Plants offer many known benefits, surprisingly, noise reduction is one of them. Leaves, branches and other plant parts absorb sound; thick, fleshy leaves and rough bark are particularly effective.
There are various factors that affect sound absorption:
- Their size: the bigger, the better. This is because of the surface area of the plants themselves and that of their leaves. Lawns and wall vines, for instance, have a larger surface area and therefore absorb and refract much more sound.
- The number of plants: the more, the better. The more plants you have, the more surface area covered
4. Added privacy
Furthermore, plants can be used as partitions to section off spaces, for instance to separate the BBQ area from the clothes lines. They can also be placed around the area’s perimeter to provide privacy – because, let’s face it, nobody likes nosy neighbours.
Roof gardens can offer a sense of calm, refuge and tranquillity from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding area and streets. They provide space to grow fruits, vegetables and even herbs for those who are looking to enjoy some home-grown, pesticide-free food!
Let us help you find the ideal property to create your own patch of green. With over 50 years of experience, we at Frank Salt are experts when it comes to anything related to property in Malta. We are dedicated to helping you find the right place, be it a cosy studio flat with a little balcony, an internal courtyard in a charming house of character or a roof garden at the top of a modern apartment! If you’re looking to rent or buy property, contact us for more information, or visit one of our branches.
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