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A
green roof – also known as a vegetated or eco-roof – is a
lightweight, engineered roofing system that allows for rooftop plant
growth while protecting the integrity of the underlying roof. While
conventional roof gardens rely on heavy pots and planters, green
roof systems allow for much more extensive cultivation of plant life
across wide expanses of a given rooftop.
Green roofs provide important environmental and human health
benefits including lowering energy expenditures, purifying the air,
purifying water, and reducing storm-water runoff. Most green roof
systems generally fall into two categories, extensive and
intensive.
Extensive green roofs are lower in weight, cost, and maintenance
than intensive systems. Plants for extensive green roofs tend to
require only a few inches of soil and little additional irrigation
or care. Typically, they include sedums, grasses, and wildflowers.
It is important to note that extensive roofs are often unable to
accommodate regular human traffic.
Intensive green roofs, though heavier, more costly, and in need of
more maintenance than their extensive counterparts, can accommodate
vegetables, shrubs, and trees. Because these are deep -rooted
plants, at least 12 inches of soil may be required. This poses a
weight issue that should be considered in the building and planning
stages, so as not to overburden the home or building below.
Typically, flowers, shrubs, tress, and vegetables are found on
intensive roof gardens.
Green roofs provide a sensible, beautiful, architecturally appealing
way to address some of the most urgent ecological issues of today.
Green roof technology is an important way of ensuring the protection
and continued vitality of our human and natural environment.
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