Instructions: install a waterproof membrane, place a plastic sheet, add foam, place a drainage mat, frame the sides, add soil, place plants, water. Green roofs are roofs that are completely or partially covered with unpotted vegetation that grows on impermeable layers of various materials. They are forms that require little maintenance to maximize unused space, save money and benefit the environment in more ways than one. Whether it's a private house, a garage, an apartment building, an office complex or a shed, you can take advantage of any flat or sloped roof by turning it into a garden.
Green roofs are easier to install and maintain on a flat roof. They can be installed on low-sloped roofs with an elevation of up to three feet for every 12 feet of length without stabilizing them. Steeper slopes may require a reinforcement system, such as a tray planting system or a terracing system to hold the soil in place. It shouldn't be necessary to have a degree in physics to realize that a flat roof holds water better than a sloped one, but it's something you should keep in mind when planning.
Insulation is only necessary when it is necessary to increase the R-value of the roof over conditioned spaces. If the space under the green roof is not conditioned above a garden pavilion or shed, there is no reason to protect the waterproof membrane other than a little protection, such as a fan-shaped fine foam insulation or, perhaps, a layer of construction felt. To create a border, intermediate angular supports may be needed to maintain the strength of the vertical edge. The horizontal leg of the supports can slide under the drainage mat and be weighed with the soil in the top layer to prevent them from tipping over.
It is best to design supports so that they do not penetrate the surface of the waterproof membrane to prevent leaks. Homeowners can easily make a lightweight soil mix by mixing an aggregate such as expanded shale, slate, or volcanic rock with organic potting soil. A mixture of 85% aggregate and 15% potting soil has been shown to be effective. The lightweight aggregate is available in garden stores in bags or in bulk, pre-mixed or alone.
The advantages of using an expanded soil mix mixed with shale are that it absorbs water, drains well, does not compact, and is lightweight. Commercial soil mixes for green roofs are great if you can find a point of sale, but look for a mix with locally available materials to avoid unnecessary shipping costs.
Green roofs can be installed using a series of planting trays or creating a bordered garden area on the roof.
These instructions are for installing a landscaped area on a flat surface using a multi-layer waterproof protective barrier between the floor and the roof covering, which could be plywood, for example. The various layers, easily available in landscapers or stores, will not only prevent water from penetrating the terrace and rotting, but will also prevent roots from reaching the terrace and weakening or rotting it.Install a monolithic-type waterproof membrane (rubber or plastic) on top of the roof cover. Place a 6-millimeter plastic sheet over the waterproof membrane (this will serve as a barrier against the roots). Frame the sides of the roof with mesh gutter protectors, wood, or other edges that allow drainage to keep soil in its place. Add soil and distribute it evenly throughout the garden space.
Water to settle the soil around the plants. Drainage problems are the most common type of failure in green roofs. If your roof holds too much water, it could drown your plants or, in the worst case, cause structural problems in your home. To avoid this, it is necessary to maintain drains so that vegetation does not drown them.
Green roofs generally need to be weeded two or three times a year to prevent overgrown vegetation from clogging drains. It may also need watering during dry periods. All of our plants were grown at Emory Knoll Farms in the Southwest from Virginia. They are grown in 1 x 2-foot trays.
They have a plastic base with 3 to 4 inches of soil and sedum plants on top. The plants are a mix of leafy vegetation and native plants that will require limited maintenance and will provide year-round greenery. The trays are held in place by a metal frame system that is attached to the roof of the garage. The frame means that the plants will not slip off the roof in case of heavy rain or wind.
If the roof is flat (or measures up to 5°), place a thin layer of 10 mm gravel over the phytosanitary fleece to ensure that the water can drain unobstructed. One of the ideas I've seen is to turn it into a green roof. Does anyone have any experience with this? Are there any potential problems or something to pay attention to? Any brands to avoid or recommend? Remember that plants at the top of the roof will receive less water than plants at the bottom, so be sure to keep this in mind when planting or placing sedum. Water must drain from the ceiling, so be sure to add holes on the side of the frame closest to the floor or, alternatively, ensure that there is a 10 mm gap between the roof and the frame. Plants that stay green all year round are good options because the roof will stay green in winter, when many plants are dormant.
Yes, soil and water are heavy, so structural calculations must be carried out, since it is not good for the puddle, since a small roof is more likely to be overlooked. Extensive green roofs do not need to be deep, since recommended plants, such as sedum, wildflowers and herbs, do not have deep roots. A solidly designed roof helps protect the house against the elements, of course, but the one installed above Sarah Jack and Scott Harris' kitchen-dining room does that and more. The trays can be planted with the same plants as on a roof without pots or they can be purchased already grown commercially in a nursery.
Planted with hundreds of low-growing succulent plants, the small, flat-roofed expanse of its 1925 Colonial Renaissance style helps curb and filter rainwater runoff. For this project, the roof was built to withstand the additional load and then was covered with a waterproofing membrane. Before the trays can be installed, the decorative L-shaped aluminum edges are temporarily ballasted around the roof edge, where they will cover the sides of the trays. Green roof plants, such as these sedums, do not usually require watering, unless there is a four-week period of high heat with less than 1 inch of rain.
Your vegetated roof may not look vibrant during the harsh winter months, but if you're growing perennials that can withstand that climate, they should come back in spring. In general, in the case of green roofs, the beams are thicker and deeper and are closer together, and the roof is 28 mm stronger. In this work, one installer placed the rows of trays, another took measurements of the end pieces, and a third made cuts in the floor before sending a few rows of end pieces to the ceiling.
