Investigating green roof systems can make your building a sustainable and beautiful space. To make the best choice for your enterprise, you must be aware of the types of green roofs and their benefits. There are three main types of green roofing systems: extensive, semi-intensive, and intensive. The extensive green roof is lightweight, has shallow soil layers, and is designed mostly for ecological benefits rather than usable space. It requires little to no maintenance and is perfect for a building that can't support much extra weight. The semi-intensive and intensive green roofs require more maintenance and more structural support but can accommodate a much wider variety of plant life and have a wider variety of potential uses.
For enterprises, the selection of a green roofing system is a decision fraught with considerations of both form and function. It is understandable that appearance matters, especially in the very public spaces of the roofs atop enterprises. Yet, what those in enterprises choose must go beyond mere aesthetics and also satisfy functional purposes. Achieving environmental improvements (enhanced insulation, reduced stormwater runoff, and increased biodiversity) surely tops many enterprises’ goals. However, if the appearance of the roofing really matters to an enterprise and its public spaces—the sort of appearance that people might even want to visit—the more intensive green roofing systems can definitely deliver in terms of both human accessibility and impressive plantings.
Furthermore, selecting a green roofing system can significantly influence both energy expenses and the lifespan of a building. A roof deck covered with a rich variety of native plantlife can help keep the upper portion of the structure cool, which can reduce the energy required for air conditioning during the hot summer months. A more basic extensive system may do the same, but if you really want to go for the gusto and take the insulation potential of the green roof to the maximum, you might opt for an intensive system, which has more planting versatility and a stronger overall “cool roof” presence. Both types require consultation with an architect and structural engineer to make sure the building is capable of supporting the green roof and performing as well as it should in your climate. —Bryan A. McGowan, from "Green Roofs: Derchmalta."
