Green roofs are those that are prepared for plants to grow. They are becoming more common, due to their incredible benefits. In this article you can learn everything about them.
A little vegetation between so much cement. A little respite in the city. An ecological way to build. The ceilings greens are all that and more .

It is a technology that is becoming more popular every day for its incredible benefits for the home, the community and the environment. The best thing is that it is possible to replicate it in your house if you know how.

Here we tell you everything you need to know about it.

YOU WILL LOVE TO DISCOVER ALL THE POSSIBILITIES THAT GREEN ROOFS OFFER!
What are green roofs?
So far everything sounds very good, but the truth is that perhaps you have not finished understanding what we are talking about when we say "green roof".

Specifically, it is an artificial system that offers a natural green space, created by adding plants to a growing medium made up of layers that fulfill different functions, such as irrigation, drainage and root barriers.

This system is installed on the roofs of buildings, which are partially or totally covered with vegetation, either in a soil or in an appropriate growing medium, using technologies that improve the habitat or save energy consumption, that is, they comply with an ecological function.

Not to be confused: not all green roofs meet the requirements for true green roofs. It's not about the color, not even if they have vegetation or not. It is a whole system finely designed for ecological use.

In fact, in some cases the term green roof is also used to designate the use of other "green" technologies, such as photovoltaic solar panels or photovoltaic modules. Other names for green roofs are living roofs and green roofs.

Benefits of green roofs
The best thing about ecological roofs is that their benefits cover three levels: the individual, the communal and the environmental. In other words, everyone is favored with the application of this type of technology in the home.

These are the main benefits of living ceilings:

FOR THE INHABITANT
- The existence of a green roof reduces the exposure of the waterproofing membranes to large temperature fluctuations, which can cause micro-cracks, and protects them from ultraviolet radiation.

- They reduce the costs of air conditioning and heating : as we have already said, due to the greater insulation they improve the air conditioning of the building

- They serve as a stormwater management tool : the water is stored in the substrate, in the drainage and the water retainer , and then it is taken by the plants from where it is returned to the atmosphere through perspiration and evaporation.

- Transform dead spaces into an enjoyable garden .

- They can be used to grow fruits and vegetables .

FOR THE COMMUNITY
- Reduces the “heat island” effect: through dew and daily evaporation, plants on vertical and horizontal surfaces are able to cool cities during the hot summer months. The light absorbed by the vegetation is converted into thermal energy.

- Reduce pollution and improve air quality: Plants on green roofs can capture air pollutants and atmospheric precipitation.

- Reduce noise: they have excellent noise attenuation, especially for low frequency sounds. An extensive green roof can reduce outdoor noise by 40 decibels , while an intensive one can reduce it by 46-50 decibels .

- They prevent sewer overflow: they retain up to 65% of the water from a rain, a flow that takes off within the next 5/6 hours, avoiding overflows in the sewers. In this way, they reduce the risk of flooding.

- They improve aesthetics and provide a green space.

FOR THE ENVIROMENT
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions : help reduce the distribution of dust and particles throughout the city, as well as the production of smog . In addition, they filter pollutants and CO2 from the air.

- They provide a habitat for wildlife : they can support a wide variety of plants and invertebrates. They provide a habitat for various species of birds. They can act as a springboard habitat for species migration.

- They allow the use of recycled materials: modern green roofs use recyclable materials in a high proportion , helping to reduce the overexploitation of natural resources and the contamination of air and water.

How to make a green roof in 6 steps

Although it is more used in buildings, the green roof can also be applied in houses with relative ease. Of course, ideally, it should be done by a specialist. But if you are going to do it yourself, the most important thing is that you keep two things in mind.

On the one hand, the angle with which a green roof can be installed. It is not recommended to do it on a slope greater than 10 ° without the help of an expert.

Furthermore, it is important to consider the weight. Simple green roofs weigh between 60 and 150 kilograms per square meter. ?? So, if you are not sure that your roof can support that weight, consult a specialist.

Knowing that, you can know how to make a green roof by yourself:

Step 1: consideration of green roof layers
Homemade green roofs need three layers:

1. The waterproof membrane

2. The substrate

3. The vegetation

Step 2: waterproof membrane
Most roofs generally have a waterproof or waterproofing membrane. Green roofs require an additional layer of waterproof material that is also resistant to plant roots.

Ideally, this should go on a single sheet that covers the entire surface. Sturdy 1-millimeter thick pond covers, which you can find at garden stores, are ideal. They are fixed to the ceiling with conventional sealant.

Tip: mark the drains and outlets so you can open them before laying the next layers of your green roof.

Step 3: drain
Excess water must be able to get out of the ceiling. Drain outlets should be opened from the green roof container frame to allow water to drain into the roof gutters.

Drainage is very important: the ceiling must not be saturated so that the drain outlets are free. Use layers of pebbles to avoid blockages. You can also place them on the edges of the green roof to prevent vegetation from spreading.

Step 4: Substrate
The depth of the substrate determines the vegetation that will grow on it. Most green roofs are 7-20 centimeters deep. The substrate needs to be light and low in nutrients.

Avoid using common garden soil, as it is very heavy when wet and has a very high organic matter content that promotes the growth of undesirable vegetation.

If you decide to make your own substrate, a good combination is to use 70-80% inorganic material, such as tezontle or ground brick, and 20-30% organic material, such as compost.

Step 5: planting
The most exciting part of making a green roof is planting. You can design it to with certain types of plant and animal species or to reflect local biodiversity.

Many landscaping providers offer live roofing seed mixes specially formulated to withstand weather and elevation conditions.

Step 6: maintenance
Maintenance that requires a green roof is minimal. You should only review the above points once or twice a year to make sure it survives.


By Samuel Adetunji

"I wanted to compensate for the temperature in my house. So, the indoor temperature means that the air conditioning doesn't have to work so hard, which in turn means energy savings. The green roof installation has an extra positive effect on the climate immediately within your building and on the temperature in the town. You can visit an online site to get cost estimation from a well-known company having a professional team.

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