Green Roof Characteristics

Green roofs are roofs that are purposely fitted or cultivated with vegetation.

Green roof characteristics.

It should have good consistent drainage and aeration with a structure that enables it to hold water. They generally have lower water requirements and use small low growing plant species particularly succulents. This concept was designed to encourage the vegetations on the top of building to get multiple social economical and environmental benefits. The colour of the roof changes in accordance with the seasons.

Minimal pest and disease issues. Larger and deeper plant reserves. Green roof substrates are not similar to field soils but have characteristics in common with shallow drained soils and or greenhouse container substrates beattie and berghage 2004. A green roof is a roof surface flat or pitched that is planted partially or completely with vegetation and a growing medium over a waterproof membrane.

Green roofs introduce vegetation on unavoidably impervious surfaces and offer a number of environmental advantages including. There are two types of green roof. Intensive roofs which are thicker with a minimum depth of 12 8 cm 5 1 16 in and can support a wider variety of plants but are heavier and require more maintenance and extensive roofs which are shallow ranging in depth from 2 cm 13 16 in to 12 7 cm 5 in lighter than intensive green roofs and require minimal maintenance. Improving air quality providing habitats for insects and birds helping to retain higher levels of humidity in urban areas reducing roof stormwater runoff and associated contaminants such as nutrients and bacteria from bird droppings.

They are also be known as living roofs eco roofs or vegetated roofs cibse 2007. Not only does a green roof insulate noise it also keeps warmth inside or outside in winter and. Extensive green roofs are lightweight with a shallow layer of growing substrate of less than 200 mm deep requiring minimal maintenance. A green roof has a natural look.

It is generally accepted that there are two main types of green roof which are described by kibert 2008 as. Green roofs are the basically roofs planted with different kind of vegetation plants on the top of growth medium substrate. It should also be light weight resistant to decomposition and compression and physically and chemically stable. Characteristics of a successful green roof healthy soil biology and carbon levels.