Green roofs are roofs with vegetation growing on them. You can have a green roof on any type of building from condos and apartments to parking garages and industrial facilities. For commercial buildings, a green roof makes buildings more livable in cities and towns. The roof enhances the appearance of the building while also making it perform better. In the long run, the heating and cooling costs of a building will go down, making the green roof affordable. The plants will use up carbon dioxide and give out oxygen. They will also provide you with shade when the sunny days kick in. Here are your green roofing options.
Keep reading to learn about the different types of green roofs and which may be right for you.
Intensive Green Roofs
Also known as modular green roofs, creating these roofs involve laying a waterproof membrane and placing soil-filled containers on it. The roofer then adds plants that do well in your area. If you live in a dry area, they will get plants, such as cactuses that do well where you live. You can have an intensive green roof system on buildings where you want to still have other features, such as skylights and vents. You place the containers in such a way that they do not interfere with the normal roof structure.
Extensive Green Roofs
An extensive green roof is the traditional green roof. Here, plant life covers the entire roof, so you can never have features, such as skylights and vents. Instead of containers, an extensive green roof involves placing a waterproof material on the roof, covering the entire roof with soil, and planting plants that do well in your area. This kind of a green roof does not need regular maintenance compared to when you use containers.
Natural Green Roof
A natural green roof involves allowing vegetation to grow without you planting it. You will only need to add planters with soil on the roof and let vegetation grow from these planters or containers. The soil that you collect should be from the location now covered by the building. The green roof does not need irrigation as the weed and vegetation grows when the seasons are right. You never have to use any fertilizers and chemicals, making the vegetation easier to manage for commercial buildings.
Conclusion
Before you install a green roof, you have to consider the weight of the plants to avoid liability issues. You also need to consider the cost of insurance, thanks to issues of unforeseen storms and drought. Ensure that you also consider the effects of the plants to the roofing materials, such as roots that may damage shingles.