Vegetated Roof Types

This page provides a brief overview of the role of green roofs in mitigating the heat island effect including green roof types other environmental and social benefits and cost benefit considerations.

Vegetated roof types.

The type of vegetated roof chosen can also impact the kind of growing medium needed. Vegetative roof systems or green roofs are also known as living roofs. Intensive green roofs are widely used on commercial buildings where owners want to have large green areas that incorporate all sizes and types of plants these roofs will have grasses ground covers flowers shrubs and even trees. Soil considerations in addition to soil varying by the type of vegetated roof chosen it can also vary based on the plant selection.

For example the extensive vegetated roof generally has the largest aggregate sizes and uses the least amount of organics. Typical green roofs consist of multiple layers including a durable waterproof foundation a root management system drainage layers and some type of. There are three main types differ by cost depth of growing medium and plant type. Soil media plant palettes and green roof systems that can adapt to the adverse.

A subtropical climate vegetated roof scv roof is a type of green building practice that employs a planted soil media installed above a waterproof roof deck to obtain environmental benefits and address sustainability concerns similar to traditional green roofs located in northern continental united states. Vegetated roofs also referred to as a green roofs eco roofs or living roofs typically include a vegetation layer growing medium retention layer drainage and a root barrier. The skyscape 0 5 or 1 0 drainage panels are recommend to support this design style. A green roof or rooftop garden is a vegetative layer grown on a rooftop.

Vegetated roofs are often chosen based on their soil depth structural requirements and intended purpose and maintenance needs. The mats incorporate a fiber fabric or mesh reinforcing layer which prevents them from disintegrating during shipping and handling. Components of an intensive green roof click for high res version intensive. As the name suggests vegetative roofs are a design in which plants are used to create a green space on top of a building.

Green roofs have been proven to help reduce heat islands. Typical pre vegetative mats are 3 4 to 1 1 2 inches in thickness and range in size from 2 square feet to 25 square feet in area. Pre grown mats can be installed in association with any vegetative roof assembly type. Designing and implementing live vegetation requires professional horticultural experience to guarantee a functional system for 50 years or more.

Modern green roof technology offers endless varieties of vegetated covers for any impervious surface. The extensive systems are suited for roofs with limited load bearing capacity and is typically installed on non visible roof surfaces.