The Grass Is Always Greener… on the Roof?
Email To Friend | share this article | Posted on November 15th in Green Remodeling by Renee.
Green roofs are literally that - green. In this case, we are not talking about solar shingles or other eco-friendly covering, but what is commonly referred to as the roof garden. Designed to be viewed and enjoyed, roof gardens typically consist of lawns, flower beds, shrubs, and trees with limited access through paved footpaths. Where green roofs are concerned, roof gardens fall into the category of “intensive green roofs.” They exist for recreation during an office break or brief escape from the shopping mall.
There’s more to the green roof than being pretty, though. Usually consisting of hardy, water absorbing sedums, extensive and biodiversity green roofs are not designed for human accessibility. Instead, their purposes include improving insulation, managing run-off after heavy rains, and even replacing natural habitats for displaced local wildlife. Unlike regularly visited roof gardens, extensive roofs can be wild and self-sustaining, earning their nickname of “living roofs” for the bugs and bird species that find shelter there. Puts a whole new spin on the idea of a wildlife refuge, no?
On a large scale, green roofs can help clean the air and create good microclimates. They are widely found in Europe and are making their way across the Atlantic to the East Coast and beyond. For your own home-grown roof garden, benefits can include aesthetic appeal, an extension of space for planting opportunities, and extra protection and insulation for the roof against summer heat and winter cold. In urban areas where parks are scarce, it might be a refreshing way to generate your own slice of green.
If you are thinking about pursuing a roof garden of your own, it’s important to consider the amount of weight your roof can hold, the necessary materials, and construction procedure. After contacting your city regarding roof building guidelines and specifications, get in touch with a certified landscape remodeler.
Helpful Links:
April 30th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
[…] is your roofing? By this, I refer to standard materials as opposed to roofs with solar panels or actual plantlife growing from them. Low Impact Living recently published a great piece on roofing types, and much of the […]