NEWS: Green Home & Building Ebook published by Ecotist - 400 pages, 105 chapters, free sample chapters!
See more >

A green roof (also known as a living roof) is a growing system built on top of a protected waterproof roof. The growing system can be grass, plants, small herbs, etc. They are useful for small animals and plants, adding greatly to biodiversity within the immediate local urban environment.
Here are some pictures, note it flowers in spring and summer, the green images are from the winter. These are views from the rear two first floor bedrooms. Every home should have a green roof. There are quite a lot as we really like the roof!

Above: Close up with bumble bee

Above: Winter view

Close up

Construction - final stage

They also prevent flooding as water run-off is reduced and slowed down. This is a big factor in urban areas as many gardens are concreted or paved over for car ports, or decked for play areas. This greatly increases run-off of rain water, which is why there are more urban flash floods now than prevously.

Green roofs also help absorb carbon emissions (slight but it all adds up). They also look very attractive compared to traditional grey slate or asphalt roofs.

Above: the Horniman Museum extension >

Above: green roof system diagram, courtesy of
Blackdown Horticultural Consultants Limited >

The subsurface is a high tech system that holds water for dry periods. They can be very heavy, from 80 kg / square metre to 365 kg. This means most roofs will have to be structurally reinforced.

Above: green roof build, courtesy of
Blackdown Horticultural Consultants Limited >

Grass green living roof (right) and gabion wall

New green roof information site >
http://www.livingroofs.org/

More on green living roofs >
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3054706.stm

Top >