Join as a Pro. Houzz TV. Houzz Research. Looking for the perfect gift? Send a Houzz Gift Card! Appears in. Remodeling Guides. Exteriors Exteriors Top Ideabooks. See also. Roofs Roofs Top Ideabooks. Christine Tusher April 21, Houzz Contributor. Save Comment 29 Like Until relatively recently green roofs were rare, the stuff of fairy tales and Tolkien novels. But with climate change a growing concern, more people are turning to living roofs as a sustainable — and stylish — way to help insulate their homes, reduce runoff pollution, save on energy costs and extend the life of their roofs up to twice as long.
David Coulson has expert insight on living roofs, as he not only incorporates them into his design work, but works beneath one in his Vancouver studio. A green roof, or rooftop garden, is a vegetative layer grown on a rooftop. Green roofs provide shade, remove heat from the air, and reduce temperatures of the roof surface and surrounding air. Using green roofs in cities or other built environments with limited vegetation can moderate the heat island effect, particularly during the day.
That year, a sample of industry stakeholders reported nearly green roof projects totaling more than four million square feet in 40 U. Green roofs can be installed on a wide range of buildings, from industrial facilities to private residences. There are two types of green roofs: extensive and intensive. Both types of green roofs consist of the same basic layering components with a number of barriers to prevent water or root damage to the structure, a drainage layer to aid in water drainage, as well as a growing medium and vegetative layer.
The Common Green Roof Layers figure below represents the most common design of a green roof, although not all the layers shown are found on every green roof. Cool roofs present another option to reduce the heat island effect. Cool roofs are made of highly reflective and emissive materials that remain cooler than traditional materials during peak temperatures. While green roofs often have initially higher costs than cool roofs, green roofs typically have a longer expected life.
However, green roofs offer added benefits such as reducing and filtering stormwater runoff; absorbing pollutants and carbon dioxide; providing natural habitat; and in the case of intensive green roofs, serving as recreational green space.
Cool roofs are best suited for projects with limited budgets and a primary focus on energy savings, while green roofs are preferred when lifecycle costs, public benefits, and broader environmental impacts are of interest. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content.
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Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. By Tom Oder Tom Oder. Tom Oder is a writer, editor, and communication expert who specializes in sustainability and the environment with a sweet spot for urban agriculture. Learn about our editorial process. David M. Share Twitter Pinterest Email. Treehugger Tip Timing is everything. Treehugger Tip Another option for green roofs is to purchase vegetated mats. Tools tape measure shovel garden rake or hoe drill garden trowel.
Frequently Asked Questions. Should you anticipate any problems with a green roof? What should you plant on your green roof? How much maintenance does a green roof require? Are green roofs feasible for cold climates? View Article Sources. The Best Containers for Small Gardens of Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for Treehugger. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page.
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