What are the green roof options?

A basic green roof system is made of the following elements:

Substrate (engineered)
Nuraply 3PG waterproofing membrane system
Board insulation (optional)
Drainage matt
Growing medium

Green Roof Types

INTENSIVE ROOF AND SOD ROOF SYSTEMS	EXTENSIVE ROOF AND BRIODIVERSITY SYSTEMS
Intensive roof gardens The landscape variations are practically limitless, and it is feasible to create an environment at roof level similar to that of any designed garden. An increased quantity of growing medium, improved drainage layers and irrigation systems are generally required to support the greater diversity of planting. Shrubs and trees can easily be accommodated, and there is little to restrict scope for design other than the overall weight of the system and the cost of its supporting construction.	Extensive roof gardens These are constructed using low maintenance planting, without the need for specific irrigation. Sedums (succulents) and indigenous herbs and grasses provide excellent cover and protection to the waterproofing system. They do not provide usable space or a surface that can be trafficked, but add instantly to the aesthetics, and help to control rainwater run-off into surface water drainage systems. In addition, a correctly designed system upgrades the acoustic and thermal performance of roof finishes.
Sod roofs or Grass roof These are topped with regular grass to blend the building into the surrounding environment. They are particularly popular in rural environments where the building is required to be unobtrusive. In addition, a correctly designed system upgrades the acoustic and thermal performance of roof finishes. The underlying waterproofing and drainage requirements are the same as an extensive roof system.	Biodiversity roof gardens Sometimes described as “Brown roofs” these are another form of extensive roof gardens that make use of recycled materials e.g. crushed brick, crushed concrete etc. in the growing medium. This type of green roof is intended to create a natural wasteland and can be seeded initially with selected species to create some growth. However the basic design is to attract fauna and flora of all kinds. As the growing medium is not of high nutritional value, larger plants are not likely to survive and will die off creating further suitable habitat for invertebrates which in turn will attract other fauna. The underlying waterproofing and drainage requirements are the same as an extensive roof system.

INTENSIVE ROOF AND SOD ROOF SYSTEMS
Intensive Roof Gardens

EXTENSIVE ROOF AND BRIODIVERSITY SYSTEMS
Extensive Roof Gardens

Intensive roof gardens
The landscape variations are practically limitless, and it is feasible to create an environment at roof level similar to that of any designed garden. An increased quantity of growing medium, improved drainage layers and irrigation systems are generally required to support the greater diversity of planting. Shrubs and trees can easily be accommodated, and there is little to restrict scope for design other than the overall weight of the system and the cost of its supporting construction.

Extensive roof gardens
These are constructed using low maintenance planting, without the need for specific irrigation. Sedums (succulents) and indigenous herbs and grasses provide excellent cover and protection to the waterproofing system. They do not provide usable space or a surface that can be trafficked, but add instantly to the aesthetics, and help to control rainwater run-off into surface water drainage systems. In addition, a correctly designed system upgrades the acoustic and thermal performance of roof finishes.

Sod roofs or Grass roof
These are topped with regular grass to blend the building into the surrounding environment. They are particularly popular in rural environments where the building is required to be unobtrusive. In addition, a correctly designed system upgrades the acoustic and thermal performance of roof finishes. The underlying waterproofing and drainage requirements are the same as an extensive roof system.

Biodiversity roof gardens
Sometimes described as “Brown roofs” these are another form of extensive roof gardens that make use of recycled materials e.g. crushed brick, crushed concrete etc. in the growing medium. This type of green roof is intended to create a natural wasteland and can be seeded initially with selected species to create some growth. However the basic design is to attract fauna and flora of all kinds. As the growing medium is not of high nutritional value, larger plants are not likely to survive and will die off creating further suitable habitat for invertebrates which in turn will attract other fauna. The underlying waterproofing and drainage requirements are the same as an extensive roof system.