A roof is an indispensable architectural feature of a house. One can choose between various roofing materials according to his/her budget and requirement. Nowadays, a new trend of ‘green roofs’ is catching up really fast. Green roofs, apart from being classy, are more beneficial with respect to environmental aspects.
Green Roofs aren’t Just a New Fad
Generally, there are two types of green roofs – intensive and extensive. While extensive green roofing involves shallow layers of planting material. Intensive roofing, on the other hand, makes use of deeper planting base. No matter what kind of green roofing you go for, keeping in mind the following considerations are a must before you actually invest in it:
- Looks – In case you have a pitched roof which is clearly visible to your neighbors and everyone else from the street, then it’s important for you to choose your plants wisely. Some plants have certain periods during which they are in a dormant stage i.e. brown instead of green. To solve this problem you should either choose only evergreen plants or replace the dormant ones by plants which are in their active or growing stage.
- Local Environmental Conditions – Your local climatic conditions play a pivotal role while you plan a green roof for your house. Try and observe the amount of rain and sunlight your region receives. In case you live in extreme climatic conditions, you might also want to take that into consideration. Take advice from your local gardener or horticulturist to help you choose the right plants for your roof.
- Growing Medium and Soil Blend – The material that you’ll be using to place your plants in is also equally important. If you plan to go with an extensive green roof where the soil is quite shallow, then there will be limited type of plants for you to choose from. The medium that you select for the growth of your plants should be a light, well-drained material that can effectively hold the nutrients.
- Ease of Installation – Several installation options are available these days in the market for instance; pre-planted mats or trays, plants that are similar to plugs. They can be started once they reach a maturity level. Starting the plants on your roof from seeds is also a great alternative. A good amount of research in your desired plants is essential since some do not come in plug or tray form.
- Upkeep – This is another determining factor. For projects like these, one need to make sure that he/she is physically and mentally sound so that they can devote the required time and effort. Keeping a tab on the irrigation methods and their growing medium is something which should be done periodically. Talk to your local horticulture experts to give you some advice on their upkeep.
There is no doubt in the fact that installing and maintaining a green roof can be an uphill task. A lot of things need to be taken care of. However, the complements and satisfaction that one receives makes it worth. We, at Roofone, have been providing comprehensive roof repair solutions for our customers including green roofs. Contact us anytime to consult regarding any roofing issue.