A green roof, also known as a living roof or eco-roof, is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane. These roofs are designed to support the growth of vegetation and can vary, from simple sedum mats (low maintenance) to elaborate gardens with trees, shrubs and perennials
What would have been a blank grey rooftop, will now be a visually beautiful space with vegetation.
The combination of the materials used to build up the green roof system acts as sound insulation.
Research indicates that green roofs can extend the average lifespan of a roof by as much as threefold.
Research demonstrates that the presence of visible or accessible green spaces can enhance morale and productivity by providing psychological comfort and relief.
A green roof can hold a large percentage of stormwater runoff, to help prevent flooding and lessen the impact on city drainage structures.
Green roofs improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide, releasing oxygen, filtering particulate matter, and absorbing pollutants from the air, contributing to a cleaner urban environment.
Green roofs help to regulate the temperature of buildings by preventing overheating of the roof and minimising heat loss from within. As a result, they reduce the necessity for high energy consumption to heat or cool the property.
Urban environments typically experience higher average temperatures than rural areas due to limited green space. Gree roofs help mitigate this by absorbing heat, cooling hard surfaces, and increasing humidity, thereby improving the micorclimate of urban areas.
Green roofs create or restore wildlife habitats in urban areas, supporting diverse flora and fauna. They offer undisturbed environments for plants, birds and insects, aiding urban wildlife conservation. Additionally, they form green corridors, promoting wildlife movement throughout the city.
An extensive green roof is a lightweight and low-maintenance roofing system featuring a shallow layer of growing medium and drought-tolerant vegetation like sedum and grasses. It's designed for simplicity and cost-effectiveness, suitable for various buildings. These roofs require minimal upkeep.
An intensive green roof is a more complex and heavier roofing system with a deeper layer of growing medium that supports a diverse range of vegetation, including trees, shrubs, and larger plants. It often resembles a traditional garden and can include features like pathways and seating areas. Intensive green roofs require more maintenance and structural support compared to extensive green roofs but offer greater biodiversity, aesthetic appeal, and potential for recreational use.
A bio-solar green roof combines the features of a green roof with solar panels, creating a multifunctional and sustainable roofing system. It consists of vegetation, such as grasses, herbs, or sedum, planted over a layer of soil or growing medium, along with strategically placed solar panels.
A Brown biodiverse roof, also known as a Brown roof, is a type of green roof designed to promote biodiversity by allowing indigenous plant species to naturally colonize the rooftop over time. Unlike traditional green roofs, Brown roofs are not initially planted with vegetation. Instead, they feature carefully selected growing mediums with varying depths to encourage a diverse range of native plants, including both shallow and deep-rooted species. Natural elements like pebbles, boulders, branches, and logs are often incorporated to provide additional habitats for wildlife. This approach aims to recreate or enhance lost habitats and contribute to urban biodiversity and ecological restoration.
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