Green Roofs And Rooftop Gardens

Green roofs and rooftop gardens tells the stories behind some of the city s most interesting green roofs and offers tips for starting your own.

Green roofs and rooftop gardens.

While roof gardens and green roofs come in a fantastic array of styles meeting a wide range of needs both comprise a rooftop space that has been transformed into a green system. There wouldn t be as deep a layer of soil as in natural gardens so the choices are limited but as long as there is a green cover the roof will qualify to be called a green roof. It could be a hanging garden with pots vertically lined up or a multitier garden. A green roof is the practice of growing vegetation directly on a roof over a waterproof membrane.

There are intensive and semi intensive roof gardens. Rooftop gardens rooftop gardens are becoming more prevalent while promoting a green outdoor space in an urban setting. Sod roofs have been popular since ancient times in places like iceland and scandinavia. There are many types of green roofs based on the type of garden one plans.

Green roofs also called vegetative roofs or rooftop gardens have existed for centuries as an effective way to keep a home warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Both techniques may partially or completely cover a roof. Roof gardens located on the roof of a commercial or residential building provide much needed green space for people to enjoy while providing an aesthetically pleasing and functional area. In this scenario the green roof grows in 6 inches of media or less and typically consists of low growing succulents herbs and grasses.

A roof garden is a similar technique that places container gardens on a roof. There can be natural but raised beds. Living roofs cool the air reduce water pollution extend roof life and cut energy costs.