Green Roof Insulation Types

You may ask how well does a green roof insulate a building what is the r value of a green roof more insulation is better right does a green roof system have to include insulation don t engineers already figure this out for us.

Green roof insulation types.

Although there are no precise definitions of them an extensive green roof has a shallow growing medium usually less than six inches with a modest roof load limited plant diversity minimal watering requirements and is often not accessible. Denim and cotton waste is treated with a fire retardant chemical. Thermal insulation in some cases a green roof may include thermal insulation typically a layer of extruded polystyrene. Polyfoam roofboard extra offers a declared compressive strength of 300 kpa.

The combination of substrate plants and the embedded air in the green roof system provide good sound insulation. There are three basic types of green roof. Cotton insulation is similar to fiberglass insulation in several ways. According to etag 031 xps insulation with a cs 10 y 300 designation i e.

It is sold in rolls making it easy to install and it won t irritate the skin. So you can also save on your heating bills in the winter. Build it green. They fall into three main categories extensive intensive and semi intensive.

However a green roof with grasses or herbs contributes more to heat regulation because the substrate layer is thicker than for a sedum roof. Green roofs are internationally placed in three different types. Sheep s wool is often considered one of the best insulation types available but it is also one of the most expensive. Intensive parks and gardens including urban agriculture semi intensive garden green roofs extensive natural low maintenance green roofs.

Recycled denim is an earth friendly roof insulation alternative. Additionally the r value of cotton insulation and fiberglass is the same roughly r 3 2 to r 3 7 per inch of thickness source. Consists of a thick layer of soil 50 200mm in which a variety of grasses herbs flowers and shrubs can grow. Most homes are filled with traditional fiberglass material with newer ones adopting recycled cellulose material for more environmentally friendly alternatives.

Intensive thick extensive thin and semi extensive somewhere in between. Other earth friendly roof insulation options include soy fibers and sheep s wool. Other insulation materials include foam wool and even insulated glass for windows. A compressive strength of 300 kpa declared in accordance with en 13164 is suitable for both green roofs and roof gardens.

Of course there is some cross over between the categories. In addition to thermal insulation a green roof also has a sound insulating effect. For one thing it can be rolled into batts.