6 myths about green roofs
It’s leaky, expensive, and difficult to maintain. Find out the truth about living roofs and see examples from the simple to the sophisticated.
Green roofs, living roofs, vegetation roofs, and ecological roofs are sprouting everywhere,
including residential houses. And their growing popularity creates common assumptions and
misunderstandings. For example, green roofs are only for Eco buffs, require a lot of maintenance,
are experimental and risky. All are not true.
Let’s look at some common green roof myths and see if they hold water.
Basic
A green roof simply promotes plant growth. It consists of a waterproofing layer, root barrier,
drainage system and plant growth medium. “Intensive” green roofs or roof gardens can be accessed
and include much larger plants and water features.
The “extensive” green roof, on the other hand, is a thinner, lighter version of what looks like a
standard roof. It can be sloped or flat. Sedum is often planted. Many “semi-intensive” green roofs
are home to a variety of plant species, including native grasses and flowers.
Common myth
Green roofs are a new and experimental part of the green trend.
When do you think the residential green roof in this photo was installed? 5 years ago? ten? maybe
20? This green roof has protected this Buffalo city residence since the 1940s, more
than 70 years ago!
Green roofs have been around for centuries. It is a more recent technological advancement that
enables thinner and lighter roof profiles.
Green roofs only apply to green buildings.
Of course, there are many green building certifications that award points for green roof
installations. The environmental benefits are undeniable. However, even families without specific
environmental goals can enjoy the aesthetic and economic benefits of having an extended garden
space.
Who wouldn’t want to see more vibrant green than fresh shingles outside the window?
Or maybe you’re looking for a way to get some much-needed outdoor space in a dense urban
environment.
A green roof can also save you money. In Buffalo city, which has the longest history
of green roof research, green roofs are widely used as an economical alternative to other options.
They have been shown to increase the market value of properties by reducing heating and cooling
costs, reducing stormwater runoff and thus flooding, and providing additional commercial space.
The benefits of rainwater mitigation are being recognized by the city of Buffalo city, which currently operates the Buffalo city Eco roof program, which provides incentives
to developers to design vegetated roof systems.
Green roofs may look great, but they can cause structural problems and leaks.
This is probably one of the top customer concerns. Obviously, a leaky roof is independent of
whether it is a green roof or a traditional roof. It relates to the installation and design specifications
of the structure. All roofs must have adequate waterproofing, including green roofs.
There is no evidence that green roofs are more susceptible to leaks. In fact, some studies suggest
that the longer life cycle of a green roof is because the waterproofing membrane protects it from
UV rays. Plants and substrates act as natural barriers to weathering.
Properly designed green roofs also have a root barrier that prevents plants from rooting too deeply.
The homeowners decided to build a vegetable garden on the roof presumably to protect them from
hungry animals.
Sometimes green roof designs have a gravel edging around the edge of the roof to keep the
vegetation away from the more extreme weather and wind conditions on the roof edge. However,
this is not always necessary. A lot depends on the type of green roof and plants. Architects and
green roof experts take all of these considerations into account when designing systems.
Newly built homes must meet the requirements of design loads, so as long as architects and
structural engineers are on the same page about the requirements for green roofs, new homes
should have no problem meeting structural requirements.
Renovated green roofs require some attention. The requirements vary greatly depending on the
region of the country you live in and the loads the house was originally designed to withstand
snow, wind, rain, etc.
Green roofs are difficult and expensive to irrigate.
Many people think that green roofs should be planted with sedums or other succulents because
irrigation is impossible or prohibitively expensive. The reality is that all green roofs initially
require irrigation except for pre grown mats made outside while the plant roots are established.
Water storage plants are popular because they are beautiful and sturdy enough to withstand the
harsh conditions of a roof.
However, sometimes combining it with other types of vegetation, such as native grasses, can be a
great way to increase the versatility and aesthetic appeal of your roof. An intensive rooftop or roof
garden is a perfect example of this. Some even have bushes and trees.
The irrigation needs of a green roof depend on plant selection and local climate. I recently spoke
with Staffs of KDRoofers in Buffalo city about green roof designs for long, hot Buffalo city summers.
She finally pointed out that when it rains, it rains a lot. Therefore, it is important not only to select
drought-tolerant plants that can withstand heat waves, but also to design thick substrates made of
materials that can absorb large amounts of water. The drainage layer may also have deep pockets
to store water that will be released back to the plants during the next heat wave.
These features greatly reduce the need for irrigation. In fact, many green roofs require no additional water once installed. They become an integral part of a site’s natural water cycle.
“As a living building system, green roofs are also tools that improve our quality of life.
Staffs of KDRoofers in Buffalo city uses a similar approach. The rooftop garden in this photo is specifically designed to attract insects, particularly pollinators like bees, he says. “We created additional planting depth to increase species diversity”,
he says.
This means that the green roof can act as an extension of the natural landscape both inside and
outside the site. The roof then becomes part of a healthy and balanced micro-ecosystem, supporting biodiversity.
“Long-term irrigation of green roofs is cheaper than other growing areas,” he says. To offset costs,
irrigation water can be harvested as rainwater, as is the case with the green roof in this photo.
You can make your own green roof by adding a bit of soil to the roof.
Stop! don’t do it. A well-designed green roof is made with more than good potting soil. It often
does not contain soil and instead calls for perlite or other porous lightweight materials.
As mentioned earlier, you need to analyze the structure of your house to see if it can handle the
load of a rain-soaked green roof. The specific climate of the site must be taken into account, and
plant selection and drainage systems must be designed.
However, this does not mean that all green roof systems must be built-in. Some experts in North
America are using a modular system for design specifications. KDRoofers , for
example, says the company used Live Roof’s modular system for this rooftop deck and has already
grown sedum in a local nursery.
Green roofs are too expensive and complex.
A lot of people seem to be intimidated by green roofs because they don’t know where to start or
how much they cost.
“Choosing the right team of experts is one way to lower both short-term and long-term costs”, says
architect. You can start by consulting an architect https://kdroofers.com or checking the database
of certified green roofing professionals https://kdroofers.com in your area https://kdroofers.com.
The Environmental Protection Agency https://kdroofers.com estimates the cost of a green roof at
$10 to $25 per square foot. Obviously, this price is highly variable depending on whether you want
an inaccessible sedum roof or an accessible roof garden.
The warranty for building products used on green roofs is similar to that for all other building
products in the home. It must be installed by qualified professionals https://kdroofers.com and in
accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.
All green roof installations https://kdroofers.com must be accompanied by a service contract that
covers annual maintenance. The extent of maintenance will vary greatly depending on how you
plan to use your green roof.
According to architect, a maintenance plan should be part of the initial design and installation,
which includes two-year and five-year plans, and may be longer plans in certain circumstances.
The lifespan of residential green roofs has yet to be documented, but some experts say they can
double the lifespan of conventional roofs. For example, the green roof of New York City’s
Rockefeller Center has the same waterproof membranes that were installed in the 1930s.
Does your house have a green roof? Please add your photo in the comments.
More: View living roof additional benefits and other designs https://kdroofers.com
Nitharsana
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