There are two basic types of living green roofs, intensive and extensive. The primary difference between these types is soil depth. Intensive green roofs or more park-like and require a soil depth from 6 to 24 inches. This type of roof has a weight load of 80 to 150 pounds. per square foot. An intensive green roof requires regular maintenance including watering and fertilizer.
Intensive green roofs generally have a large variety of plants including hardy perennials, native flowers, shrubs, and even trees. These roofs require regular maintenance including watering and weeding.
Extensive green roofs have a thin layer of growing medium and are designed to require minimum maintenance. In fact these roofs or more like natural wildlife that take care of themselves. The soil depth of an extensive green roof is usually from 1-6 inches and has a weight load of 15 – 50 pounds per square foot.
Extensive green roofs have plants that are low to the ground, such as sedum and prairie flowers. The plants on these roofs must be study so that they can tolerate the weather conditions in the area.
I live in central Texas. In the spring we get just enough rain to make everything look green and beautiful. I generally plant flowers with every intent of watering them during the upcoming dry, hot summer. But alas, I don’t and unless they are very hardy the plants bake under the searing hot Texas Sun. My green roof would have to be for cactus.
Do any of you have a “green” roof? If so, where do you live and how much rainfall do you get during the spring and summer? I am always interested in experimenting. UMM! I have several small buildings. Maybe I can make their roofs green. Any advice?
Our environment is very important. Some ideas, such as green roofs are practical in some areas and for some structures. But there are many ways that we can take care of our environment, for ideas and activities, see Janice VanCleave’s Ecology for Every Kid.