Rootlok

The Rootlok System

The Rootlok Vegetated Wall System is an engineered environmentally friendly system specifically designed for earthen structures. The system provides a reinforced facing for walls and slopes, protecting surfaces from erosion and offering an ideal medium to achieve a sustainable green finish.

The Rootlok Vegetated Wall System consists of two primary elements that combine to form a solid yet flexible structure, both of which are made in the UK. The engineered system is designed to provide a permanent soft solution for green walls and retaining structures, delivering long term erosion control whilst creating sustainable and environmentally enhancing schemes.

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Providing the following benefits

Robust support

Provides robust support for retaining walls and slopes while promoting vegetation growth for a natural appearance.

Reduces erosion

Controls water flow, filters sediment, and prevents scouring and soil loss in high-risk areas.

Supports biodiversity

Provides a growing medium for native planting, enhancing site ecology and supporting wildlife habitats.

Benefits of using Rootlok

Rootlok is a fully tested, soft engineered system providing flexible solutions that offer the same benefits of a ‘hard engineered system’: permanent, strong, robust. However, unlike hard revetment alternatives, the system offers many more benefits that have a real impact on our environment:

  • A green solution with high performance levels

  • Water moves and filters through the system rather than being redirected

  • The system vegetates – roots grow within the structure to provide further structural support

  • A long term and permanent solution – the vegetation protects the structure from UV degradation and the effects of harsh weather

  • Enhances the natural environment – creates natural habitats providing real biodiversity gains
  • Saves time and reduces costs – walls are installed very quickly with minimal labour and equipment

  • Can be used in restricted spaces – no large equipment required

  • Withstands differential settlement

  • Interlocking plates made from recycled material

  • Manufactured in the UK

  • Helps to reduce carbon footprint
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The Rootlok bag

At its core are the Rootlok bags, each weighing 30kg and filled with a high-organic-content growing medium that promotes rapid germination and supports the establishment of grasses, plants, and shrubs. 

This medium ensures a free-draining system, preventing waterlogging and fostering healthy root development. The bags can be pre-seeded, hydroseeded, or planted, offering flexibility to suit a variety of project requirements.

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The interlocking plate

The Rootlok interlocking plate is manufactured by injection molding using HDPE and uses wholly UK sourced recycled material. The result is a consistently high-quality product that has great resistance to naturally found alkali's and acids within the ground.

​The Rootlok interlocking plate must be used throughout the system. The plate joins the gap between the bags and locks each one in to position to form a solid structure.

Rootlok build variations

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Gravity wall
Learn more
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Tie-back
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Geogrid reinforcement
Learn more

Rootlok in action:

Coalville, Leicester

Take a listen to our Contracts Manager, Nicholas Needham, as he takes you behind the scenes, sharing insights into the process, construction, and final touches of our most recently completed project for BlueEarth Construction Limited.

We can't wait to showcase the lush vegetation as it grows within the next few months - stay tuned for the big reveal!

How it's made: Rootlok

Ever wondered how our Rootlok bags are made? 

You can view our video of the filling process here. Or you can learn more about the full process by visiting our 'How it's Made' blog.

Experienced in-house technical team

DESIGN - MANUFACTURE - INSTALL

We provide end-to-end solutions for geotechnical and erosion control challenges, offering expertise across design, supply, installation, and manufacturing.

Our experienced in-house team ensures a seamless process from concept to completion, delivering sustainable, bioengineered designs tailored to each project while ensuring compliance with industry standards.

With highly skilled chartered engineers on board, we guarantee expert technical support and design services, enabling prompt and efficient responses to all your needs. By handling every aspect of your project in-house, we streamline operations, maximise efficiency, and enhance long-term performance.

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Did you know?

MSE systems that utilise a BBA certified geogrid for reinforced retaining structures and embankments with slope angles up to 70°, come with a 120-year design life!

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year design life
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Rootlok key information

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Bag fill material

The material used to fill each bag is an engineered blend that creates a free draining system with sufficient nutrients to gain a sustainable green finish. It consists of a mixture of soils, compost and sands that are free from pollutants and are of a grade that will support the growth of vegetation.

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The standard Rootlok fill material is a blend of washed silica sand & recycled soil (vegetated compost) free from pollutants that produces a free draining system.

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In water applications bags are filled with 20mm clean gravel up to the average water level, providing scour protection.

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Installation

One of the key benefits of Rootlok is how easy it is to install unlike hard edge structures such as concrete, stone, block, panel and gabion systems. This allows it to be used in locations with difficult and varied terrains that are not suitable for traditional methods.

The Rootlok System can be used to build structures up to 10m or higher. There are numerous construction methods dependant on the wall type and height, loadings and other specific site conditions. The simplicity of the system allows it to be installed by individuals with ease. 

Rootlok installation guide
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Vegetation

One of the major benefits of the Rootlok System is its ability to integrate vegetation within the structure. Not only does this deliver on Rootlok’s green credentials but ensures longevity of its 120 year design life. We recommend several methods to vegetate the Rootlok structure: pre-seeding the Rootlok bags, hydro-seeding and inserting live plants. 

View knowledge base article
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Maintenance

To ensure optimal results, it is important that you take extra care of your newly hydroseeded/ preseeded Rootlok wall.

Our easy to follow aftercare regime provides you with a year by year guide for successful and sustained vegetation.

View knowledge base article
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Want to know more?

If you have not quite found the answer you are looking for or would like to enquire about using our solution for your next project, why not get in touch?

One of our team will be happy to help!