Green roofs are one of the hottest outdoor living trends today. From creating more green space to a place to grow herbs, grass, flowers & vegetables, green roofs offer a variety of benefits. A green roof is eco-friendly and can even help you reduce your utility bills by adding a layer of insulation to your roof.
Many homes, especially those in densely populated cities, have little outdoor living space. However, many overlook the option of building atop their homes. A rooftop is an excellent place to be transformed into additional living space or a green roof.
If you’re wondering about making the jump into having a green roof installed on your home, here are a few things you’ll need to know.
The Benefits of a Green Roof
- Green roofs provide natural insulation and shade. This will help to keep your home cooler during the summer and warmer in the winter. Your home’s heating & cooling systems won’t need to work as hard, and your utility bills will be lower.
- A green roof’s insulating qualities also act as a noise dampener. This is sure to be especially welcome to those living in urban areas.
- A green roof can help extend your roof’s lifespan. A green roof will help protect your roofing membrane from the ravages of the elements, including wind, snow, rain, ultraviolet light and extreme temperatures all year round.
- Like plants in any location, a green roof helps to improve the environment, absorbing pollution and carbon dioxide around your home.
- You’ll add beautiful scenery and curb appeal to your home.
- Fresh flowers or vegetables, even in the concrete jungle. Your green roof can be simple moss or grass, but you can also plant vegetables, herbs and flowers.
Drawbacks to a Green Roof
- Green roofs aren’t necessarily for everyone. After all, not everyone wants to climb up there to harvest vegetables. Here are a few other things to think about when considering adding a green roof to your home:
- Like any other large outdoor project, a green roof is not inexpensive. You’ll need to integrate a foundation of sorts, drainage, a soil medium, plants and other greenery.
- Is your current roof ready for the weight of plants, soil and water? Your roof may require modifications to handle the extra load.
- This type of garden will require regular maintenance, including watering the plants and weeding.
Types of Green Roofs
Typically, there are two types of green roofs that homeowners consider for their homes: intensive and extensive.
Intensive green roofs are often known as roof gardens. You may have experienced a rooftop patio at a restaurant, where there is recreational or eating space, trees or other landscaping. You might even find a vegetable garden on an intensive green roof. This style of green roof is only suitable on a flat roof and requires attentive maintenance to keep it looking great.
Extensive green roofs are the type you will find on a sloped roof. Perhaps you’ve seen pitched roofs covered in grass, moss, or wildflowers. These roofs require minimal maintenance and are unsuitable for foot traffic; however, they are self-sustaining, and rainfall can keep them watered.
Homeowners can decide on which green roof option works best by taking stock of the space on the roof, garden shed and storage capacity. Green roofs are also a great option if you live in an apartment or townhouse and don’t have a yard to grow a traditional garden.
Constructing a Green Roof
One of the easiest ways to construct a green roof is to use a pedestal system with a tile surface. Pedestals will not cause damage to your expensive roofing membrane and are a relatively affordable option that also creates inherent drainage. Top your pedestals with a tile system like porcelain pavers or IPE wood tiles, and you’ll have a beautiful, functional green roof the entire neighbourhood will envy. If you would like more information about building a green roof at your home with pedestals, look no further than Canadian Pedestal Systems – Canada’s outdoor living space experts.
