green roofs
This article is available also in Spanish here

Green roofs: advantages and disadvantages of rooftop gardens

My list

Author | Eduardo Bravo

Rooftop gardens have become increasingly popular in urban centers in recent years. This system does not mean simply installing plants in individual and removable pots, but rather a permanent facility, made with plant elements designed to form part of the building’s structure.

FIRA-AZOTEAS-SOSTENIBLES-ENG

Types of green roofs

There are also different types of green roofs depending on the vegetation used and whether they are physically accessible. Therefore, green roofs may be classified as:

  • Extensive: an eco-roof covered with a lightweight, thin layer of vegetation, low-maintenance and non-accessible.
  • Semi-intensive: these create an ornamental green space using plants that require more care and more soil depth that those above, however, on the other hand, people can access them.
  • Intensive: rooftop gardens that accept all types of plant species, including trees. People can access them, but they do require a solid structure to bear the weight of vegetation and people.

green-roofs-23

Benefits of green roofs

Apart from their ornamental effect, rooftop gardens have beneficial effects on the environment and health of people. For example:

Air purification

The photosynthesis process carried out by the rooftop plants absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, while capturing dust and reducing pollution.

Ambient noise reduction

Green roof substrates tend to neutralize low-frequency sounds, while the plants block high frequency sounds. This means a roof with twelve centimeters of vegetation can reduce noise by forty decibels, and can reduce it by fifty decibels if it has a width of more than twenty centimeters.

green-roofs-24

Temperature regulation

Rooftop gardens help to moderate the ambient temperature thanks to the ability of plants to evaporate water. Furthermore, as it is not a reflective material like glass, granite, marble, stone and other floor coverings, it cools the outside of buildings and, consequently, reduces the surrounding temperature.

Increased biodiversity

Green roofs attract birds, insects and other animals and help to increase biodiversity.

Improved emotional health

Green roofs have a natural appearance and go from being aesthetically hostile elements to attractive gardens. This has a positive effect on the mood of residents who, given the characteristics or location of their properties, are not normally able to see green areas.

green-roofs-25

Disadvantages of green roofs

Despite the undeniable benefits, there are also some disadvantages to green roofs that should be taken into account before installing them.

Maintenance costs

Compared with conventional roofs, they entail greater costs both in their execution and maintenance.

Increased weight on the structure

Not all buildings are suitable for these systems, given the extra weight on top of the structure.

Water filtration due to rainwater retention

The installation of green roofs requires specialist professionals who know exactly how to design the space, together withthe irrigation and drainage systems. It then requires a good design to prevent, among others, the accumulation of rainwater under the structure that could lead to damp and filtrations.

Images | tinseling, erdenebayar, Free-Photos

Related content

Recommended profiles for you

AH
Aaron Huang
SHANGHAI LONG-JOIN INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY INC.
LONGJOIN® Photocell Manufacturer engineer /photocell /zhaga book 18
AB
Abebe Dress Beza
University of the Basque Country
I am an Erasmus Student in the Smart Cities and Communities (SMACCs) program
DC
Diego Castañeda
BUAP
AS
Aarti Shah
Co-REGEN
AK
Aashit Khant
Shashvat Corporation
Director of the Shashvat Corporation. One of the leading companies in Real Estate.
AD
Aashna Dodhia
KPMG
佳陶
佳 陶
同济大学
NN
Neo Natt
aitortilla books
AS
Abhas Sagar
Student in GGSIPU
I\'m in the last year of my 5 year B.Arch programme. I aspire to be an urban planner and designer.
Karolína Čuntalová
VUT
XB
Xiao Bian
Renmin University of China & University of Groningen
AA
Abdulrahman Abdulhak
SABSRE
Projects manager
ON
ouqwf nasv
js
AP
Abbie Pokorny
Dentons LLP
Senior Associate
AA
Aamer Azeemi
Petrus Consulting LLC
Managing Consultant
文邓
文浩 邓
amanzaon
MB
max burks
university
AN
ABASSI Narjess
Head Unit of Next Generation Network Engineering and Approval of Telecommunications Access Networks studies
Head Unit of NGN Engineering and Approval of \\nTelecommunications Access Networks studies
AA
Abdulaziz Almogren
SILZ
AF
Abdurrahman faiz Faiz
Uin alauddin
Collage student