Green Roof Design Considerations

The main goals of this article are therefore to provide a detailed list of design considerations and examples of issues to consider when designing a green roof as well as factors that will affect stormwater treatment performance.

Green roof design considerations.

Design considerations for a successful green roof for a green roof to flourish it requires suitable amounts of sunlight water sufficient drainage and aeration to encourage healthy plant growth. Surface runoff can be minimized by slowing the release of stormwater. Designing green roofs in a development may gain support which can help to secure planning consent it may be possible to retrofit green roofs on certain buildings without planning consent although the planning authority should be consulted if there is any doubt. An intensive green roof will require the regular maintenance associated with the planting scheme and landscape design whereas an extensive green roof will need only minimal maintenance maybe one or two visits a year to ensure that any unwanted species do not become established.

The most important considerations when designing turf and green roofs are ensuring that the roof is strong enough to support the weight of the turf or plants even when they are fully saturated by rainfall and covered in several feet of snow and ensuring that the roof is watertight. Flat green roof design considerations. Green roof design considerations sponsored by. The outlined approach may include both a roofing and green roof professional to guarantee that each system is treated carefully during the removal of vegetative components.

Green roof design considerations. Green roof design design technology series 03 considerations for new and existing structures benefi ts of a green roof stormwater management. Rainwater infi ltrates and is absorbed by the growing medium and plants. The next step planning the green roof to meet the needs of the vegetation.

Pitched green roof design considerations. When constructing a flat green roof the design aspect is much simpler. Once the vegetation finish has been determined the structural and design considerations and green roof components can be proposed. Green roofs are suitable for any pitch of roof.

To deliver a successful green roof the designer must consider the building s position and location along with the orientation of the roof during the. It is vital that the protection of the building s fabric and in particular its waterproofing is considered in the green roof design. Design plans should include considerations for the removal of a vegetative roof system to allow for the investigation of leaks.