What Are The Advantages Of Having A Green Roof Garden?
What Are The Advantages Of Having A Green Roof Garden?
Green roofs provide a rainwater buffer, purify the air, reduce the ambient temperature, regulate the indoor temperature, save energy and encourage biodiversity in the city.
They are part of climate-proof construction. What’s more, people are happier in a green environment than in grey surroundings. Below are some of the advantages of green roof gardens:
1. Rainwater buffer.
A green roof can act as a rainwater buffer, collecting and storing rainwater that would otherwise run off the roof and into the environment. This helps reduce the need for artificial rainwater systems, which can be costly to maintain and create environmental impacts.
2. Purifies The Air.
A green roof can help to purify the air by trapping smog and dust particles. This can reduce the air pollution released into the environment, making the roof a valuable tool for reducing environmental stress.
3. Reduces the ambient temperature.
A green roof can also help to reduce the ambient temperature by trapping heat from the sun and the sky. This can help to keep the interior of the building cooler in summer and warmer in winter, reducing energy costs.
4. Regulates the indoor temperature.
A green roof can also regulate indoor temperature as a thermal barrier. This can help to keep the interior of the building comfortable and livable even in cold weather.
5. Saves energy.
A green roof can help save energy by reducing the heat that needs to be delivered through the building’s heating and cooling systems. This can help to reduce the amount of energy that is used in the overall construction process.
6. Encourages biodiversity.
A green roof can also promote biodiversity by providing a habitat for plants and insects. This can help to improve the overall environment and quality of life for residents in the city.
What Can I Plant Under My Roof Garden?
Depending on the intended aesthetic and purpose, there is an almost limitless list of plants for rooftop gardens. Here are a few of our favorites organized by category:
1. Flowers:
You may turn your roof into a brilliant flower paradise with roses, begonias, petunias, or pansies. In warmer climates, you will also have access to a variety of exotic flora.
2. Veggies:
Why not try growing something edible? Tomatoes, radishes, peppers, cucumbers, broccoli, zucchini, and lettuce. These are just a few of your easy-to-grow possibilities.
3. Herbs:
Basil, chive, parsley, thyme, and mint are the easiest potted plants to cultivate. Perfect for enhancing the flavor of your dishes.
4. Perennials and succulents:
Great perennials like grasses and ferns, composites like daisies and asters, and exceptionally low-maintenance succulents like cactus and aloes are available here.
5. Dwarf trees and shrubs:
Ornamental trees and shrubs such as Japanese maples, crabapples, lemon trees, miniature conifers, junipers, and pines are ideal. Get a large pot for them, but be sure your roof can handle the added weight.
6. Vines and climbers:
If you want to add some seclusion to your rooftop garden, some of your finest alternatives are clematis, honeysuckle, ivy, and Virginia creeper.
What Is An Extensive Roof Garden?
An extensive roof garden is a green roof characterized by its shallow depth and lightweight construction. These roof gardens are an ecological alternative to conventional surface protection methods like gravel or pavers.
Extensive roof gardens are typically planted with sedum, a type of succulent known for its ability to tolerate dry conditions. The shallow depth of an extensive roof garden allows it to be constructed without the need for a large supporting structure.
This makes them ideal for use on existing buildings. The lightweight construction also reduces the strain on the building’s supporting structure. The main benefit of an extensive roof garden is its ecological value.
These gardens help to combat the urban heat island effect, reduce storm water runoff, and improve air quality. Extensive roof gardens are the most common type of green roof used worldwide.
