In Spring Valley, green roofs have emerged as an environmentally friendly resolution to urban development problems. These roofing systems have many benefits. One is that they make the roof more appealing. They also can make a substantial contribution to a building's energy efficiency and to the stormwater runoff and air quality challenges faced by many urban areas. Unfortunately, as green roofs have gained in popularity, so too have some incorrect assumptions about their suitability for various building types. In the article, I will provide an overview of the wind, weight, and waterproofing considerations that must be addressed when installing a green roof and discuss the different types of green roofs (and the kinds of buildings they are best suited for). When I say "green roof," I mean it in two senses. Green roofs are literally planted with vegetation (like green walls) and are also left "undisturbed" by humans.
If you want a truly garden-like roof that will support large plants like small trees and shrubs, an intensive green roof is the way to go. Unlike extensive systems, an intensive green roof has much more soil to work with and thus can support an incredible variety of plant life. The insulation properties of the roof system itself plus the plants in the "garden" mean that an intensive green roof can save a great deal of energy by keeping the interior temperature much more stable and maintaining an appearance that is similar to what the building exterior would show if it were not covered. On the other hand, intensive systems have a problem: they are so heavy that the building must be essentially rebuilt to be able to support the weight of the plants, soil, and water that are part of the garden.
Residents and businesses in Spring Valley might prefer the semi-intensive green roofing system. Semi-intensive roofs mix the elements of both extensive and intensive systems, striking a balance between ease of maintenance and a biodiversely rich living roof. They can hold a mix of grasses, wildflowers, and small shrubs (but not trees) without requiring a super-strong structural support system. Given those parameters, they can also be located on mostly flat or low-sloped surfaces. With only moderate maintenance, a semi-intensive roof can handle stormwater runoff as well as more energy-efficient green roofs do. On a living (or green) roof in a semi-intensive system, the plants are likely to perform (in terms of energy efficiency and reduction of stormwater runoff) almost as well as they would on an intensive roof because they are mostly planted in soil.
