Green Roof Construction

When we hear the term “green roof construction” a lot of things come to mind. Most people immediately think of low-slope sustainable roofing systems with shrubbery in a growing medium designed to cool a building through moisture evaporation from the flora and to manage storm water overflow. Here are some examples of green roofing systems throughout the world:

1. Paris, France. Green roof construction in France is still small-scale compared to Germany, but the annual market is getting progressively larger. However, the market expansion has been held up due to lack of knowledge: contractors are still quizzical about green roof benefits and methods, even though there is growing interest in the technique. Meanwhile, the French are looking at ways to expand the variety of plant species used for green roofs, which would improve practical performance and aesthetics, cut maintenance costs and boost biodiversity and sustainable development.

2. Chicago, Illinois, USA. The Green Roofs for Healthy Cities co-hosted the first green roof construction conference and trade show in North America in 2003. Back then; six green roofs already existed in Chicago, including the one covering city hall. Green roofs are also gradually increasing in North America, and universities are conducting research on their impact on the environment, economy and energy resources.

3. Germany. Green roofs have become so successful in Europe that a lot of German downtowns require new construction to incorporate green roof technology in the building design. Green roof construction reduces the heat island effect and extends the life of the roof through temperature mitigation. In addition, planted roofs provide aesthetic appeal and encourage insects such as butterflies and dragonflies, as well as different bird species to make your roof their home.

Apart from these modern examples, you can find instances of green roof construction as far back as the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and sod homes of Scandinavia. Their aesthetic appeal and practical uses have been known to man for thousands of years.