What are the Types of Green Roofs?

Green roofs are divided based on depth of planting and the maintenance of the roof. There are two types of green roofs available: extensive and intensive.

Extensive green roofs are suited to roofs (Light weight roof decks, inaccessible roofs, flat or sloping roofs, reducing water run-offs) which bear less capacity of load. Here on these green roofs, only low growing plants can be vegetated. Soil used for extensive green roofs are made of thin layers and not very deep. So, for these reasons we cannot grow larger plants. Drought-tolerant plants are well suitable for planting on these roofs. Even plants such as mosses, succulents, herbs and grasses create pleasant plant vegetation. It requires minimum maintenance because these are designed in self-sustaining community. The size of extensive green roof layer is about 50-150mm or less than 6”. it is easy to install and simple in design. There is no need of irrigation required.

Intensive or active green roofs are suited for roofs which bear more capacity of load. The height of the intensive green roofs can be 150 to 1500 mm or (6” to 12” and greater). These roofs have a deep growing medium that supports a variety of landscape design and wide range of plants and trees. Lawn, shrubs, edible plants, grasses, small deciduous trees and conifers are possible on green roofs. These require irrigation, feeding, and other maintenance because they are labor-intensive. Even walkways, benches, playgrounds or even ponds can be established as additional features on the roof. There are no limitations in design and individuality, but a few things have to be considered. This requires high cost.

What are the Benefits of Green Roofs?

Green roof is a roof of a building that is partially or fully covered with plants over a waterproofing shell. These roofs include additional layers such as a root barrier and drainage and irrigation systems.

There are a number of benefits of green roofs:

• It increases the roof life because naked roofs are damaged within a few years due to the physical, chemical and biological changes in the environment that causes stress on the roof.
• It reduces noise levels and acts as a sound insulator. It is helpful for the people who live near the airport that causes too much noise.
• Used as a thermal insulator.
• It reduces the indoor temperatures during the summer months through transpiration.
• It gives a place for insects and plants, used for creating roof gardens, cafes and sporting areas.
• It gives fresh air.
• It provides a shelter or habitat for wild bees, butterflies, and beetles to find food. Even some of the rare species can be found on green roofs.
• It reduces your strain and relieves you from it because the green roofs which you have created are natural.
• It prevents storm water from flooding.
• It reduces the temperature of urban heat island effect.
• It even reduces the dust levels using the method of filtration technique.
• Enhance the look of the cities.
• Filters noxious gases.
• Serves as a commercial purpose, community gardens, and recreational space.
• You can also get new thoughts in developing green roofs and you can teach these techniques to others for earning.
• It reduces radiation caused by towers.

Benefits of Eco-friendly Homes

Now a days most people are showing interest in buying houses which are eco-friendly because these houses are constructed using environmentally friendly equipment and procedures. These houses will not only environmentally safe but also protect people as well. There are many benefits of having eco-friendly homes. They include:

• Eco- friendly homes save energy by using alternative energy sources like solar energy and wind energy for their power needs. We can obtain power by constructing solar panels on your roof. Because these solar panels convert the energy of the sun to the power. And thus you can save electric power bills when compared to electric system.
• Even you can install wind energy systems in eco-friendly homes to help with your power needs because kinetic energy present in the wind is converted to electricity with a wind turbine that sits on top of a tower.
• You can have a healthy home that is toxin free because the materials which are used in construction are environmental friendly.
• Eco-friendly homes are cost-efficient compared to the standard homes because you will save more money in electricity as well as maintenance.
• Eco-friendly homes are more durable than standard homes due to less repairs and maintenance.
• Efficient bathing and plumbing fixtures are highly in Eco-friendly homes due to drought-tolerant design in nature.
• You can make irrigation with advanced water-conserving features with eco-friendly homes so that you can reduce your water consumption.
• You can save the natural resources because many Eco-friendly homes use natural resources which can be recycled again.

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