In our ideal world, green roofs would be ubiquitous – we’re thinking Scandinavia from the time of the Vikings until the late 19th century. And no, it’s not because we are nostalgic for a more picturesque past. We’re actually looking to create a new future, one where entire town roofscapes are living and green, leaving the legacy of a healthier environment. How difficult would that be?
What is a green roof
A green or living roof is a specially engineered rooftop that supports vegetation and plant life to the benefit of the environment. There are three categories of green roofs; depending on how deep the planting medium is and how much maintenance they require: intensive, semi-intensive, and extensive. Intensive green roofs recreate the conditions of a traditional garden above ground and are require substantial effort to maintain. At the opposite end of the spectrum are extensive green roofs, which are self-sustaining with tough and drought-resistant plants, making them relatively maintenance-free (they’re the ones we’d like to see everywhere).
How are green roofs good for the environment
We all know the benefits that plants and vegetation provide for the environment. Green roofs in urban environments pack an extra punch because they replace greenery lost to dense neighborhood blocks of buildings.
Green roofs reduce air pollution through plant respiration while mitigating against heat gain as the plants absorb and retain the sun’s warmth. Traditional roofing materials, on the other hand, re-emit the sun’s heat and cause temperatures in cities to be higher than in surrounding rural areas.
With their ability to absorb rainwater and act as a filter, green roofs decrease surface runoff, keeping water supplies freer of pollutants while reducing the chances of flooding. Buildings with green roofs have built in thermal insulators and do not require as much power to heat and cool. And finally, green roofs create valuable habitats for wildlife, helping to preserve and promote biodiversity for the future.
How are green roofs made
Modern green extensive roof systems are approximately from 60mm to 150mm thick and are composed of manufactured layers that support a growing medium and vegetation. The five primary layers include a waterproof membrane, a root protection barrier, a drainage layer, a filter barrier, growing medium and plants.
What types of plants will grow on a green roof
The two most important factors to consider when choosing plants are how much maintenance you want to undertake and how sunny your roof is. Remember when selecting your plants that many will have a dormant period, so if you want green color year round, add some evergreens to the mix. A general rule of thumb is that the more variety you plant, the thicker your growing medium must be, which increases the weight of your roof.
The two most important factors to consider when choosing plants are how much maintenance you want to undertake and how sunny your roof is. Remember when selecting your plants that many will have a dormant period, so if you want green color year round, add some evergreens to the mix. A general rule of thumb is that the more variety you plant, the thicker your growing medium must be, which increases the weight of your roof.
How much maintenance does a green roof require
At the minimum, an extensive 100mm green roof system planted with mixed sedums (low-maintenance plantings) in its first year requires watering and weeding every few months. In the second year, it only will need to be weeded three or four times and after that, just once a year. You will need to fertilize once or twice a year.
At the other end of the spectrum, depending on what you plant, maintenance requirements can increase to the point where you might want to consider an irrigation system.
At the minimum, an extensive 100mm green roof system planted with mixed sedums (low-maintenance plantings) in its first year requires watering and weeding every few months. In the second year, it only will need to be weeded three or four times and after that, just once a year. You will need to fertilize once or twice a year.
At the other end of the spectrum, depending on what you plant, maintenance requirements can increase to the point where you might want to consider an irrigation system.
Does the weight of a green roof require additional support
Green roofs weigh more than traditional roofing materials and if you are considering installing one, it is best to consult with a structural engineer. While new construction can easily be designed to incorporate the weight loads of a green roof, retrofitting existing buildings requires careful consideration.
Where Green Roofs are used?
Green roofs can be used on virtually any building, large or small. Here are just a few examples:
● Residential homes
● Malls & commercial buildings
● Apartment/Condo buildings
● Industrial warehouses & facilities
● Office buildings of all heights
● Parking garages.
● Bus stop shelters
Green Roof ROI
Green roofs usually save money over the long term. For industrial installations with large heating and cooling costs, a green roof can save enough to cover its extra up-front cost in just a few years. For smaller buildings the payback period is longer, but a green roof almost always pays dividends over its full lifespan. It also increases a building’s resale value, plus its desirability helps lower vacancy rates.
Green roofs weigh more than traditional roofing materials and if you are considering installing one, it is best to consult with a structural engineer. While new construction can easily be designed to incorporate the weight loads of a green roof, retrofitting existing buildings requires careful consideration.
Where Green Roofs are used?
Green roofs can be used on virtually any building, large or small. Here are just a few examples:
● Residential homes
● Malls & commercial buildings
● Apartment/Condo buildings
● Industrial warehouses & facilities
● Office buildings of all heights
● Parking garages.
● Bus stop shelters
Green Roof ROI
Green roofs usually save money over the long term. For industrial installations with large heating and cooling costs, a green roof can save enough to cover its extra up-front cost in just a few years. For smaller buildings the payback period is longer, but a green roof almost always pays dividends over its full lifespan. It also increases a building’s resale value, plus its desirability helps lower vacancy rates.
Plant of the month
Sedum spurium
24,682 Square Meters
16 Countries
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