Green Roof Information

It may also include additional layers such as a root barrier and drainage and irrigation systems.

Green roof information. The extra growing medium and vegetation insulates the building from intense temperatures and minimizes heat gain. They act as a kind of trap for storm water absorbing 50 to 80 per cent of rainfall and cooling the excess before it washes into the storm drain system. Green roofs transform the tops of houses and businesses into urban gardens. They fall into three main categories extensive intensive and semi intensive.

Many of these sedum varieties are flowering so the roof will change color with the seasons. Here s a great infographic with some cool facts about ford s green roof in summer depending on the plants and depth of growing medium green roofs retain 70 90 percent of the precipitation that falls on them. Find out more about the ecological and financial benefits of green roofing. The international greenroof greenwall industry s resource and online information portal.

Green roofs for healthy cities grhc is the north american industry association for the green roof and wall sectors. Green roofs are also known as vegetative or eco roofs. A green roof or living roof is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium planted over a waterproofing membrane. In winter they retain between 25 40 percent.

Not only are they eco friendly there is a growing recognition that green roofs are making buildings very energy efficient keeping them warmer in winter and cooler in the summer. Temperatures on the green roof are moderated in the summer and the winter helping to reduce energy costs. For example a grass roof with a 4 20 cm 1 6 7 9 inches layer of growing medium can hold 10 15 cm 3 9 5 9 inches of water. The green roof covers more than 8 900 square feet and contains 19 different varieties of sedum a water storing plant.

Green roofs also have a fairly stable surface temperature remaining at air temperature or cooler while traditional rooftops can soar up to 90º f 32º c above air temperature source. A green roof is a layer of vegetation planted over a waterproofing system that is installed on top of a flat or slightly sloped roof. The green roof manages stormwater by reducing the volume of runoff and delaying the peak rate of runoff.