Green Roof Characteristics

Green roofs introduce vegetation on unavoidably impervious surfaces and offer a number of environmental advantages including.

Green roof characteristics. Green roof substrates are not similar to field soils but have characteristics in common with shallow drained soils and or greenhouse container substrates beattie and berghage 2004. Not only does a green roof insulate noise it also keeps warmth inside or outside in winter and. Improving air quality providing habitats for insects and birds helping to retain higher levels of humidity in urban areas reducing roof stormwater runoff and associated contaminants such as nutrients and bacteria from bird droppings. A green roof has a natural look.

They generally have lower water requirements and use small low growing plant species particularly succulents. It should have good consistent drainage and aeration with a structure that enables it to hold water. They are also be known as living roofs eco roofs or vegetated roofs cibse 2007. Green roofs are the basically roofs planted with different kind of vegetation plants on the top of growth medium substrate.

Minimal pest and disease issues. Green roofs are roofs that are purposely fitted or cultivated with vegetation. Extensive green roofs are lightweight with a shallow layer of growing substrate of less than 200 mm deep requiring minimal maintenance. Green roof growing medium is composed of mineral aggregates and only a small amount of organic material.

It should also be light weight resistant to decomposition and compression and physically and chemically stable. Larger and deeper plant reserves. This concept was designed to encourage the vegetations on the top of building to get multiple social economical and environmental benefits. A green roof is a roof surface flat or pitched that is planted partially or completely with vegetation and a growing medium over a waterproof membrane.

The life span of the roof is at least doubled because of the. The colour of the roof changes in accordance with the seasons. It is generally accepted that there are two main types of green roof which are described by kibert 2008 as. There are two types of green roof.