Green Roof Design Layers

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.

Green roof design layers.

We have chosen to use the word vegetative rather than the word green in this guide because a non vegetative roof could be considered to be environmentally green without being vegetative. It also has plants and the like on top. Green roofs are suitable for any pitch of roof. Layers of a typical green roof.

Green roofs can help reduce energy costs for a building by acting as another layer of insulation between the inside and outside of the roof. However the difference between green roofs and an actual green roof is that a green roof comes with various layers. Pitched green roof design considerations. The layers of a green roof.

Regardless of the depth of growing media soil and plant types used above the underlying architectural elements of most vegetated roof systems are typically the same with each layer playing a crucial role. Vegetative roofs also known as green roofs are thin layers of living vegetation installed on top of conventional flat or sloping roofs. Flat green roof design considerations. A green roof or living roof is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium planted over a waterproofing membrane it may also include additional layers such as a root barrier and drainage and irrigation systems.

The design of the different drainage layers allows for a portion of the stormwater to be retained above where the water is allowed to flow freely off of the roof. When constructing a flat green roof the design aspect is much simpler. This is most noticeable in intensive green roofs since there is a thicker and more consistent layer of soil which provides a higher insulating value. Drainage and permeable green roof layers are essential considerations for green roof projects.

Container gardens on roofs where plants are maintained in pots are not generally considered to be true green roofs although. In some areas green roofs are installed just to create a specialized recreation place for local communities it also contributes to the establishment of habitats for various insects. All three types of roofs require specific layers of roofing materials not found on regular roofs. You just need to build up the core layers as per manufacturer s instructions when constructing a green flat roof.

If stormwater is not properly drained it will pool and create structural risks. In short a green roof is made to purposely grow grass.