Nexclay is being increasingly used in landscaping projects to create the necessary conditions for proper plant development and as a decorative element due to its colour and shape.
Its application on roofs or roof gardens promotes an increase in biodiversity, stimulating the production of oxygen and absorption of atmospheric pollution, thus contributing to a more sustainable ecosystem.
Green Roofs
Nexclay is a natural, ecological, long-lasting, non-combustible and inert product that does not degrade or rot; it is lightweight and capable of storing a certain amount of moisture, which is then slowly released.
Nexclay does not overload the structure, it helps to adjust the moisture and improves the thermal and acoustic efficiency of buildings, which brings down energy costs. It also offers a natural protection to the system and increases the service life of materials used in sealing and insulation.
Drainage is an important element in the preservation and durability of roofs and gardens. The use of Nexclay enables the fast drainage of excessive water due to the small gaps between the clay pellets, preventing the water from accumulating in the substrate, which helps the plant roots to breathe.
Extensive Green Roofs
Recommended for non-accessible areas, normally on the top of buildings. With a thin layer of substrate, they are designed for minimal maintenance.
Intensive Green Roofs
Recommended for accessible areas, for example at the ground floor level, over the basement roof. Require greater thicknesses of substrate and regular maintenance.
Hydroponics
Nexclay is pH neutral, is not compact and is reusable, making the product highly recommended and good for the environment. Nexclay expanded clay is used as a direct replacement for soil, mainly in hydroculture and hydroponic systems. Nexclay expanded clay allows the system to be stable in form and structure, while allowing excess liquid to be absorbed.
Hydroponic cultivation with Nexclay expanded clay is what is called a closed system. Expanded clay is inert, so the plants’ nutrition depends on providing a nutritional solution. Nexclay, also supports plants, since its regular shape results in better aeration and lower moisture retention.
Another great advantage of Nexclay expanded clay in this system, is that it is very light.
Urban Gardens
The practice of urban agriculture has become an increasingly common phenomenon, especially by people who want to have a healthier diet, with greater control over what they eat, but also as a decorative element in spaces, giving them a “new life” and functionality.
An urban garden is a space (for example, a balcony, a terrace or a garden) intended for the cultivation of plants, vegetables, fruit trees or other types of vegetation. Also, as their name indicates, they are orchards located in cities or urban areas.
Essential in the cultivation of urban gardens, both domestic and collective, Nexclay expanded clay is intended to create the necessary conditions for the correct development of plants.
In horticulture/floriculture, Nexclay expanded clay should be used in the draining layer placed at the bottom of the vase or pot, and mixed with the substrate to make it lighter, more aerated and better drained, thus favoring better oxygenation of the roots.
Nexclay allows rapid drainage of excess water, due to the small spaces between the clay balls, preventing water from accumulating in the substrate. To avoid the migration of fine particles from the substrate to the drainage bed, it is advisable to use a geotextile filter.
Both in urban gardens and on intensive or extensive green roofs, the largest granulometries should be used, Nexclay 3-8 and Nexclay 8-16.
