Simple Intensive Green Roof

A 2006 study by the university of michigan comparing costs of conventional and green roofs showed that on average installing a green roof costs about 22 00 sq.

Simple intensive green roof.

There are three basic types of green roof system. The basic anatomy of a green roof consists of vegetation growing medium filter membrane drainage layer waterproof root repellant layer roofing membrane support for plantings above thermal insulation vapor control layer and structural roof support. To start with take a look at the most simple family of green roofs. These areas need appropriate vegetation that will make them low maintenance and self sustaining.

The simple intensive green roof. You may find that they are referred to as roof gardens. 15 to 50 per square foot. Other options are substrate based systems that are plug planted to the client s requirement or seeded for natural colonisation.

In many instances an extensive green roof can be a planning requisite and the ideal solution is the simplest lightweight sedum blanket system. For a conventional roof. Intensive systems allow the designer to create a park like setting so they are the best option for roof gardens that will be occupied. These are covered with low growing plants such as evergreen sedums.

Semi intensive green roof a semi intensive green roof system is characterized by small herbaceous plants ground covers grasses and small shrubs requiring moderate maintenance and occasional irrigation. Intensive green roofs require the deepest soil and have the greatest impact on the structural design but they also accommodate all types of plantings including large shrubs and trees. Extensive systems are for roof areas that are out of reach and not used for other purposes. A typical growing medium depth for a semi intensive green roof is 6 to 12 inches.

Semi intensive system requires some maintenance from time to time. They require a layer of growing medium soil to support this much thicker vegetation layer. 8 to 20 per square foot. Intensive green roofs are designed to support much larger items like bushes and small trees as well as a wider variety of plants.

With this type of roof planting mediums are much deeper which can be between seven and 24 inches and can consist of lawn shrubs trees and perennials for example. From a distance an extensive sedum roof can be mistaken for a grass field. Besides the visual impact of an extensive green roof they also provide a natural habitat for birds and insects.