What is a Green Roof? [under construction]

A green roof is simply a roof with plants on it. The green roofing industry has historical roots in many different cultures but saw a modern revitalizing beginning in Germany in the 1970’s. Today green roofs are most common in Western and Northern Europe but people all over the world are beginning to reawaken to their benefits.

There are three distinct kinds of green roofs. Sod Roofs are heavy layers of thick soil that were used as effective roofing by many different cultures throughout history. Intensive Green Roofs are modern roof gardens that require rich heavy soils and moderate to high levels of maintenance by a gardener. Extensive Green Roofs are lightweight, thin, low maintenance roofs that are designed for a lower budget project where function and aesthetics must be closely linked. The one we constructed on top of the Olin storage room is an extensive green roof, using between 6 and 2 inches of soil, and draught resistant prairie plants that don’t require regular maintenance.

Why should we build them?

• Energy savings
• Water runoff reduction
• Increased roof lifespan
• Environmental benefits
• Aesthetic beauty