Green roofs: advantages and implementation

Green roofs: advantages and implementation

Green roofs, also known as roof gardens or green roofs, are building roofs that are covered with green and plant growth. They represent an innovative solution in urban space in order to achieve environmental protection and upgrading the cityscape. The popularity of these roofs has increased significantly in recent years, especially because of their numerous ecological, economic and social advantages.
In this article we will deal with the advantages of green roofs and also show how the implementation of such a project can be implemented.

advantages of green roofs

ecological advantages

Improvement of air quality

green roofs actively contribute to improving air quality. The plants growing on them tie pollutants and fine dust particles out of the air and create fresh oxygen through photosynthesis. So they contribute to a healthier and more pleasant urban environment.

Promotion of biodiversity

green roofs create new habitats and thus promote biological diversity in urban areas. They serve as a refuge for numerous animal and plant species that have often lost their habitat in the course of urbanization.

rainwater Management

In urban areas in particular, heavy rain can often lead to overloading the drainage systems. Green roofs can store part of the rainwater, which contributes to relieving the sewage system. This reduces the risk of floods and protects the natural water resources.

economic advantages

energy saving

Green roofs act as an additional insulation layer for buildings. They thus reduce the need for heating in winter and cooling in summer, which can be both economically and ecologically advantageous.

Extension of the roof life

The plant layer acts as a protective shield against weather influences, which extends the lifespan of the roof and leads to savings in the maintenance costs in the long term.

Increasing value of real estate

buildings with green roofs are not only more aesthetically appealing, but also bring advantages in the form of increased energy efficiency and environmental friendliness. This can contribute to increasing the real estate value.

social advantages

Improvement of quality of life

Green roofs offer space for relaxation and serve as green oases in the middle of concrete deserts. They thus contribute to increasing the quality of life in urban rooms.

noise reduction

The plants and the substrate on green roofs have sound -absorbing properties, which contributes to reducing noise in urban areas.

implementation of green roofs

The implementation of green roofs requires planning skill and specialist knowledge so that both the structural requirements of the building and the specific requirements of the plants are met. It is recommended to consult a specialist to ensure optimal and sustainable implementation.

planning Phase

The planning phase involves a number of steps:

assessment of the building structure

Not all buildings are suitable for green roofs. A static assessment of the building should therefore be made in advance to ensure that the roof can bear the additional load.

Selection of plants

The selection of plants depends on various factors, such as the local climate, the roof orientation and tendency, as well as the planned maintenance and use of the roof. As a rule, undemanding and robust plants are best for roof gardens.

Planning of drainage and irrigation

Since water cannot drain out naturally, well -thought -out planning of drainage systems is important. In addition, additional irrigation may be required depending on the plant selection.

implementation phase

After careful planning, the roof is greened in several steps:

roof seal

First, the roof must be made absolutely waterproof in order to avoid moisture and possible damage to the building substance.

Installation of the drainage layer

The drainage layer serves to derive excess water and prevent waterlogging.

apply the vegetation layer

In the vegetation layer, which consists of special substrate, the plants are used. Their thickness can vary depending on the plant selection.

planting and care

After the insertion of the plants, regular care and maintenance is necessary to maintain the juicy green and the diversity of the roof.

FAZIT

Green roofs are an innovative and sustainable solution to reduce the environmental impact of urbanization and to improve the quality of life in cities. However, the planning and implementation of a green roof requires careful preparation and expertise so that the positive effects can also be fully used. Against the background of global climate change and in the context of growing urbanization, green roofs are an investment in the future of our cities.