Green Roof Information

A green roof is a layer of vegetation planted over a waterproofing system that is installed on top of a flat or slightly sloped roof.

Green roof information.

In winter they retain between 25 40 percent. For example a grass roof with a 4 20 cm 1 6 7 9 inches layer of growing medium can hold 10 15 cm 3 9 5 9 inches of water. Green roofs are also known as vegetative or eco roofs. Many of these sedum varieties are flowering so the roof will change color with the seasons.

The extra growing medium and vegetation insulates the building from intense temperatures and minimizes heat gain. The green roof manages stormwater by reducing the volume of runoff and delaying the peak rate of runoff. They act as a kind of trap for storm water absorbing 50 to 80 per cent of rainfall and cooling the excess before it washes into the storm drain system. Green roofs for healthy cities grhc is the north american industry association for the green roof and wall sectors.

They fall into three main categories extensive intensive and semi intensive. Temperatures on the green roof are moderated in the summer and the winter helping to reduce energy costs. The green roof acts as a bio filter basically as a big sponge that sucks up dirt and pollution in the air. The green roof covers more than 8 900 square feet and contains 19 different varieties of sedum a water storing plant.

Find out more about the ecological and financial benefits of green roofing. Sedum and green roofs information one of the most popular plants for green roofs especially for domestic premises is sedum as it is light weight and easy to grow with little maintenance required. The international greenroof greenwall industry s resource and online information portal. Sedum is also much cheaper than other combinations of plants and is popular with those who want to build their green roof themselves.

Not only are they eco friendly there is a growing recognition that green roofs are making buildings very energy efficient keeping them warmer in winter and cooler in the summer. It may also include additional layers such as a root barrier and drainage and irrigation systems. Here s a great infographic with some cool facts about ford s green roof in summer depending on the plants and depth of growing medium green roofs retain 70 90 percent of the precipitation that falls on them.