Green roofs are on the rise. They cool buildings and cities, absorb rainwater, and create habitats for insects. But one type of roof has always lagged behind: steel roofs. Until now.
Meet our very own Green Box
More and more municipalities are encouraging - or even requiring - green roofs. And with good reason: they reduce heat and help prevent flooding during heavy rainfall. Except… metal roofs simply weren’t built for that. So we wondered: Can’t we do this differently? Smarter, easier, and above all, far more practical?
3D-printed prototypes
“We explored all kinds of existing systems,” says Mario Kenda, Manager New Product Development, Innovation, Development & Sustainability. “But none of them really worked on metal.” A missed opportunity for all those production halls, distribution centers, and offices, right? “It wasn’t until we looked at the plastic plant trays used on flat roofs that something clicked. With 3D-printed prototypes on a metal roof panel, the penny dropped: this could actually work.”
Puzzle pieces
And that’s how the Green Box was born: a simple click-on system that’s easy to install, even on slopes from 3° to 25°. It’s cheaper than traditional green-roof constructions — and it helps the bees (and other insects) too. The system lasts around 25 years. Besides slowing down rainwater runoff and boosting biodiversity, it also provides extra insulation, sound dampening, and cooler surrounding temperatures. “In hindsight, it sounds so obvious that I sometimes wonder why we didn’t think of it earlier. But that’s how it goes: only when you have all the puzzle pieces — the right mix of knowledge, technology, and need - do you finally see the whole picture.”
SAB-profiel (Netherlands) and Fischer (Germany) have been selling the Green Box since 2025. Soon, you’ll see it featured in various construction projects. We’ll keep you posted!
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