Green roofs are roofs that are partially or completely covered in vegetation that has been planted in a growing medium with a water proof and root proof membrane as a base layer.
This roofing idea gained popularity in Germany in the 1960's where it is still a popular option today. The benefits include reducing one's carbon footprint by replacing some of the vegetation lost when the home was built and it can lower heating and cooling costs too. Proponents of green roofs say that this type of roof has the ability to absorb storm water and release it slowly over a period of hours helping to avoid issues like flooding and erosion.
Getting started with a green roof can be a little intimidating considering that this type of roofing is not commonly seen in the United States and is usually done by contractors but more and more, home improvement stores and roofing suppliers are making green roof kits available to the do-it-yourself property owner. The kits typically contain plants appropriate to the climate, the growing medium or soil, the impervious membrane needed to keep water from seeping into the roof.
Before getting started with this type of roofing project be sure that your existing roof meets a few requirements.
First, check the total amount of weight that would be added by installing a green roof. The underlying structure of your (non) green roof has a weight bearing limit as do the exterior walls of the home. Going over that will be a recipe for disaster.
Second, inspect your existing roof for cracks, missing tiles, or other signs of damage. These things need to be addressed prior to installing a green roof.
Third, for the do-it-yourself property owner to successfully install a green roof the slope or pitch of the roof needs to be carefully considered. It is generally advised that the roof be no more than 10% sloped in order to do this project successfully. Roofs with a steeper pitch can still be made green but will require the assistance of a contractor in order to complete the project safely.
Whether you're interested in making your entire roof a green space or you want to start small, green roofs are an ecologically smart move that will add beauty to the home and help cut energy bills.
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