Rooftop gardens and green roofing are the next big thing in roofing. Despite the fact that green roofing systems are a relatively new trend, they have been in use for hundreds of years. It is an addition to an existing building’s roof that allows for the cultivation of plants and other flora. In some cases, depending on the type of green roof you construct, the plans may be modular in nature while others may have drainage layers. Green roofs share a few characteristics, such as waterproofing and root repellent, that make them universally appealing. Green roofing is a topic we’ll be covering in depth today, so keep reading.

Different Types of Green Roofs

In terms of green roofing types, there are two basic types: intensive and extensive. The amount of vegetation utilized in each of these is what distinguishes them. While extensive green roofs may support up to lbs of plant per sq ft of roof space. Intensive green roofs can support up to lbs of vegetation per sq ft of rooftop space.

One more characteristic that distinguishes these types from one another is the amount of labor necessary to keep them in good condition. Intensive green roofs, as the name implies, need a great deal more effort to maintain because they require keeping the various plants separated and maintaining a genuine garden underneath the roof. We allow extensive green roofs to develop freely and unhindered, taking care of themselves as they would in the wild. Thus requiring just yearly weeding and fertilizing to keep them looking their best.

This format allows you to choose which flowers you want to be represented, allowing you to create the exact aesthetic you desire.

Rather than designing intensive green roofs, we create extensive green roofs that are entered for yearly maintenance. Allowing them to become more naturally overrun than intensive roofs. People are unable to walk through large green roofs as a result of this, which makes them more difficult to navigate.

Green Roofing Has a Variety of Advantages

There are numerous advantages to using green roofing, both for the community and for the individual homeowner. These are some examples:

• When a green roof is installed, it eliminates the need to manage any stormwater that accumulates.
• Green roofs, which cover many of the surfaces that would otherwise create the greatest heat, help to reduce the overall amount of heat carried by buildings. This helps with global warming reduction. It can also lower the amount of energy your home uses for heating and cooling. That’s money saved on your utility bill and everyone likes that. 
• The plants help to limit the spread of pollution and dust while also capturing a large number of pollutants that are present in the air.
• They can be used as public places, such as gardens or recreational areas. This can be quite beneficial for an entire community.
• Green roofs have the potential to lower the amount of noise that enters your home.
• The fact that plants cover your roof reduces the amount of it that is exposed to the weather. In doing so, the roof membrane will endure significantly longer than it would if the roof was unprotected.
• The fire retardant properties of green roofs contribute to the protection of your home.
• The use of a green roof helps to reduce the quantity of garbage produced by your property.
• Your property value will grow as a result of the increased efficiency of your appliances. The improved aesthetic appearance of your home will also help the increase in property value. 

The Cons of Using a Green Roof

While green roofing has the potential to assist you and your community, it is a time-consuming procedure that may result in some unexpected expenses:

• Insurance for green roofs is necessary because of the possibility of droughts or unforeseen storms. It is also expensive because of the high cost of installation.
• If the pressure of the green roof causes it to sag, the weight of the roof could result in liability difficulties.
• Any damage that the plants may cause to the building, such as the roots growing into the shingles, could result in expensive repairs to the structure.

The Cost of a Green Roof

The price of a green roofing system varies depending on its features. The cost of an intensive green roof ranges between $15 and $25 per sq ft. Whereas the cost of an extended green roof ranges between $10 and $20 per square foot. A large portion of this expense is borne by the soil and growth concentrates, as well as the plants themselves. There is a cost increase depending on whether you want your plants to be individually planted or pre-grown in a vegetation mat, and the ability and simplicity of obtaining the supplies required may also be impacted by this. While none of these components are difficult to come by, the cost of getting them to your location may be prohibitively high.

One should take into consideration the long-term maintenance costs associated with a project of this nature when determining a budget for it. It is still a costly operation, regardless of how infrequent it occurs, if one is installing a large-scale green roof, regardless of the size of the building. However, it is between $0.75 and $1.50 per square foot for some businesses who provide this as a complimentary service with their products or services.

Green Roofing Installation and Process

Even with the assistance of competent builders, the construction of a green roof is a time-consuming and complicated task. While the majority of this labor will be handled by your contractor, you may be able to complete some chores yourself.

When selecting whether or not green roofing is ideal for you, it is crucial to evaluate whether or not your roof will be flat or inclined. When the design is slanted, it minimizes the likelihood of potential water damage. In essence, requiring fewer protective layers.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Program Participation

For people who aren’t familiar with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), it’s a program that recognizes those who build and maintain green structures. It rewards those people with money and other things. LEED certifications will help pay for projects that meet their standards and definitions of what is good for the environment.

By installing a green roof on your home or building, you may be able to get credits from LEED that can help you earn money. There are a lot of things about your green roof that can help you qualify, like:

• Using a wide range of plants that are good for biodiversity while requiring little or no upkeep.
• Doing things like cutting down on how much stormwater comes from your building by at least 60% or taking away a lot of pollutants from it.
• A lot of work is done to cut down on the heat signature of your building, which means you’re less of a contributor to the Heat Island Effect.
• At least half of the landscaping that is usually done to keep the plants watered and irrigated is done away with.
• As a way to cut down on the amount of waste your building makes, you can use some of it to power your green roof.
• In order to build your green roof, you should use a lot of recycled materials.
• Make your building use less electricity.

Conclusion

Are you considering a green roof for your home? For your business/commercial property? Not sure if it’s a good investment? Any and all of these questions are legit when it comes to making a decision on having a green roof installed. 

Getting peace of mind before pulling the trigger is always a good option. Professional insight with over 20+ experience in the roofing industry here in the St. Charles County area speaks volumes. Even if you choose not to use us, you deserve the peace of mind. 

Call or text us at (636) 699-0449 for a no-obligation conversation. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and feel free to connect directly.