Green roofing

badgerwatcher · #1 (**permalink**) 22-03-2009, 06:36 PM

Has anyone on here got any experience of green roofing? I have some quite large areas of flat roof, some leaded, some felted, wouldn't have a clue what needs doing as I haven't read up on it yet, but it's a great idea. I wonder about maintenance longterm?

ron1863 · #2 (**permalink**) 22-03-2009, 06:48 PM

Great idea Badgerwatcher and here is good information site. Cost for installation though, can be between £60 - £100 per square metre

Planning a green roof - some basic principles & guidelines

badgerwatcher · #3 (**permalink**) 23-03-2009, 12:03 AM

Thanks Ron, that's great. Jolly expensive though!

camo · #4 (**permalink**) 23-03-2009, 08:50 AM

Hi

I believe the main drawback with Green roofing is the increased weight. You should not consider adding a growing roof cover unless the structure is capable of supporting the weight of the wet substrate. I think Green roofs look great and work in theory but the roof membrane needs to be particularly good and it may only be viable on a specifically designed building.

Sorry to be a kill joy but it is not just a case covering a wriggly tin roof with some turf.

Roy

badgerwatcher · #5 (**permalink**) 23-03-2009, 10:53 PM

Don't worry, Roy. I won't do anything rash. My house is very solid, walls a foot thick, so I expect the roofs are as well built, but would get an expert in before I considered doing anything so potentially damaging if done wrongly. I love the idea though. Can see lots of drawbacks, like long term deterioration if not maintained properly.

Jim Ford · #6 (**permalink**) 24-03-2009, 08:53 AM

The school where I work has a new sports hall that has a 'green' roof. It uses some sort of sedum and looks awful - a sort of blotchy brownish colour that doesn't blend in with the surrounding fields!

Jim

coasty · #7 (**permalink**) 24-03-2009, 12:58 PM

If You Google Sedum roofs you will get no end of info,, But beware they are astonishingly expensive and roof structures do need to be designed to take them,

badgerwatcher · #8 (**permalink**) 24-03-2009, 05:19 PM

I think I'm back to the drawing board on this one for now. I may check out the strength of the roofs and put balconies round instead, and get french doors knocked through. Then I can have tubs with plants in instead. I'll leave that thought simmering for a while and see where I end up.

Stinkhorn · #9 (**permalink**) 24-03-2009, 06:29 PM

google BedZED which is a environmentally friendly housing development. they had roof gardens and sedum roofs as their solution. I love the way they look, but its a matter of taste.