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Roof Materials - Green Roofs

Green Roofing Systems

Green Roof Construction

Extensive Green Roof

Intensive Green Roof

Taking the place of the usual shingles, tiles, metals, and membranes, the green roof is on the rise in popularity, as it proves to be an energy efficient, earth friendly alternative. The green roof covers those traditional roofing materials with vegetation to great benefit. A green roof has a number of layers including a soil layer, as well as layers for drainage and waterproofing with the vegetation layer topping them all. Though it varies between green roof systems, they may even have an irrigation system installed for upkeep of the plants. However the plants typically used on these roof systems do not require much watering, since the installed plants are generally found in drought prone areas.

Green roofs are not only only on the rise here in the United States, but are quite popular in different parts of Europe. In fact, Germany is considered to be at the top of green roof research and development partly due to the German public feeling it a duty to use as little energy as possible.

Irrigation systems aren't necessary under most circumstances, but there are the few exceptions. When installing an irrigation system for your green roof, do not use surface watering systems such as a drip or spray system. You should install a system that delivers the water deep underneath the vegetation and straight to the roots. A drip system wastes water through evaporation, taking away much of the needed water before it can get to the plant roots.

Green roofs come in two different types: extensive and intensive.

First there is the extensive green roof, which is also referred to as an eco-roof. The extensive green roof has fewer and thinner layers, making it much lighter. The lighter roof requires less additional bracing and support for the structure, thus making the extensive roof cheaper as well. Since they have less soil medium, extensive roofs plant selection is limited to mosses, succulents and grasses, and do not grow to be real tall. These plants have an ideal height of between 16 and 24 inches and is why these roofs are often called low profile. The extensive green roof is very low maintenance since most the plants are tolerant to a drought.

Intensive green roof isn't as limited to the variety of plants usable because the soil medium is increased greatly. But because of this, an intensive roof will be much heavier, and may require additional bracing and support. But due to the increased soil, plants will typically be taller among intensive green roofs, and require a lot more maintenance. It is also not unheard of to find waterfalls, gazebos, and other small structures atop an intensive green roof.

There are a number of advantages to having a green roof:

• A green roof reduces a lot of heat from the roofs survace, thus saving on air conditioning and energy costs for the building. This is especially good in urban areas with big buildings because those large structures create what is called a heat island affect, making the inner city substantially hotter than surrounding areas.
• A green roof works as a good sound insulator, reducing the noise inside a building by up to 10 decibels.
• A g reen roof shields the roof membrane layer from getting heat and sun, thus making the membrane last longer. Green roofs also do very well retaining water, causing less storm water drainage, and run off from the building.
• Green roofs reduce the amount of water pollutants that run off with rain water from buildings. The Green roof retains much of the water in the soil and the plants will actually absorb some o the pollutants.
• Green roofs also act as a natural air filter. The vegetation will absorb various airborne toxins, purifying the air.

In short:

Although green roofs are initially more expensive to install, they can save you time and money in the long run and are good for the enviornment as well. For more information on green roofs check out the International Green Roof Association.

Green roof illustration from American Wick Drain