What Is A Green Roof System?
What Is A Green Roof System?
A green roof, also known as a living roof, is a building’s roof that is partially or entirely covered with plants and a growth media planted above a waterproofing membrane.
Additional layers may be included, such as a root barrier, drainage, and irrigation systems. It can provide a range of benefits for plants, humans, and buildings.
Green roofs are essentially a growing medium that provides plants with protection from the elements.
The most common material used to cover green roofs is polyethylene mesh which can be used either as cover material or as reinforcement in the form of mats between the roots of plants.
Other materials include polypropylene, polyethylene plastic bags, and bitumen-based plastic films (polytape), commonly used in rainwater harvesting systems or proofing underlayments when installing new waterproofing systems on existing roofs.
Soil is also used as a growing medium in green roof installations, however, the soil is often not suitable as it can contain contaminants that may leach into the green roof system and are a potential cause of problems for plants.
Some soil-based systems include root barriers, which prevent contaminants from entering the hydroponic medium through roots.
What Is The Best Material For A Green Roof?
The succulent sedum, well-suited for shallow roof systems, is the most common plant species for green roofs. Sedum is also resistant to extreme situations such as drought. Succulents and low-growing shrubs and trees are common plants planted on green roofs.
It is important that the roots be able to grow through the layer of soil and into the hydroponic medium below. The growth media serves multiple purposes, such as providing moisture retention and enabling airflow around plant roots.
It is important that it drains water well while allowing excess water to pass through in order to keep roots from rotting or being killed by too much water.
Green roofs are typically lighter than conventional roofs, which makes them better suited for areas prone to strong winds, such as coastal regions. Furthermore, green roofs have greater fire, heat, and cold resistance than typical roofing materials and can reduce noise pollution.
Can I Put A Green Roof On My House?
Yes, you can. A green roof is a great addition to any building and can easily be incorporated into the initial construction of a new home or commercial building.
It can also be added to an existing structure by covering an existing flat roof with a waterproof membrane and planting medium.
You can transform any flat or sloped roof into a garden. Green roofs are classified into two types: extensive (with a soil covering of 6 inches or less) and intense (soil layer of more than 6 inches).
It is important to select a green roofer that is experienced and knowledgeable about the type of green roof you want to install and familiar with local regulations and codes.
How Long Does A Green Roof Last?
Green roofs have a life expectancy of 40 to 50 years, which significantly beats many alternative roofing solutions. It is important to properly maintain your green roof so that it will last as long as possible.
The most common issue with green roofs is a waterproofing failure. This can be caused by improper installation, settling of the foundation, or improper repairs made to the roof that compromise its structural integrity.
What Maintenance Is Involved In A Green Roof?
A large green roof requires practically no care. However, your roof garden will always require some upkeep. This includes eradicating wind-borne weeds and adding fertilizer many times each year.
Walking on the plants while performing this upkeep will not harm them. Removing any leaves that fall from the plants is also important, as this will cause them to grow unhealthy. Inspecting the hydroponic medium and ensuring it drains well is also a good idea.
In the long run, having a green roof offers many advantages over other roofing options. Rather than aesthetics, green roofs are a source of clean oxygen for your home and substantial insulation for your climate control system.
How Deep Does A Green Roof Need To Be?
Plants with leaves ranging from 1 to 15 feet may be used on intensive green roofs, which may need several feet of soil depth. Extensive green roofs often utilize plants with leaves ranging from 2 to 6 inches in length and soil ranging from 2 to 4 inches in depth.
An intense green roof is designed to resemble a natural landscape on a rooftop. It is important to maintain the proper soil depth on your green roof. Green roofs may need little maintenance in the short run, but this can lead to a variety of issues.
Waterproofing is vital to the longevity of your green roof and greatly reduces heat loss in your home. Check the waterproofing once a year and make sure that it has not become damaged or weak. You may also want to regularly add supplemental oxygen to the green roof system.