Definition of a green roof:
A living or green roof is a roof, deck or other structure onto which vegetation is intentionally grown or habitats for wildlife are established.
Types of green roof: Traditionally there have been three broad classifications for green roofs - extensive, semi-intensive and intensive. However, whilst biodiverse roofs share many of the characteristics of an extensive roof, their increased specification merits a distinctly separate category:
Semi-intensive Green Roof:
Can include characteristics of both Extensive and Biodiverse roofs. Typically requiring a deeper level of substrate, a wider range of plants can be included such as shrubs and woody plants. Irrigation and maintenance requirements are dependent on the plants chosen.
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Intensive Green Roof:
Often referred to as a roof garden that provide similar benefits to a small parks or domestic garden. Designed predominately for recreational use, intensive roofs often require regular maintenance and irrigation.
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.jpg?sfvrsn=0.2539404765702784 "GRO City Roofs - an intensive rooftop car park in Birmingham (1)") |
Biodiverse:
Is similar in composition to an extensive roof, but is designed specifically to create a habitat that will attract a particular plant species, insects and birds, by replicating or creating a habitat. This type includes a brown roof, which is a low-vegetated version. The growing medium is purposely-selected to allow plant species to inhabit the roof over time.
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Extensive Green Roof:
Serve as an ecological covering that provides society with environmental benefits and the building owner with life cycle cost benefits.
A lightweight, low-maintenance roof system, typically with sedums or other hardy plant species planted into a substrate/growing medium that is low in nutrients. Irrigation is not normally required once the green roof has established.
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