Adding Green Roofs into Your Commercial Build

Written by Bachly Construction
Editor’s Note: For more great articles, visit Bachly’s own blog page at www.bachly.com/blog/. Reprinted with permission.
With the ongoing climate change and the rise in air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions within urban cities, it is important for industries to take the next step to help reduce these pollutants. One sustainable solution on the rise is the implementation of green roofs on buildings.
What is a Green Roof?
A green roof is a layer of vegetation planted over a waterproofing system that is installed on top of a flat or slightly sloped roof. Some green roofs can be incorporated into the design of the building or can be added to the roof of an existing building. There are three different types of green roofs – extensive, intensive, and semi-intensive – and we will discuss this in further detail later. All green roofs include important features, like waterproofing and root repellent, that allows the structure to be safe and undamaged.

The Benefits of a Green Roof
There are many benefits of implementing green roofs in urban cities, but today we will be discussing the top five benefits.
1. The Reduction of Storm water Runoff
Depending on your geographic location, the summer months entail periods of heavy rain or continuous rainfall. When this occurs the stormwater runoff can greatly impact infrastructure and has the potential to damage waterways and fish habitat. The implementation of a green roof aids in retaining the rain water, and with the plants, returns a portion of the water into the atmosphere through a process called evapotranspiration (evaporation and transpiration).
Any stormwater leaving the roof is reduced in volume and eases the stress on storm water infrastructure and sewers. The stormwater runoff from the green roof is much cleaner than the conventional roofing systems.

2. Green Roofs Diminish Urban Heat Island Effect
Urban heat island occurs when cities replace natural land cover with dense concentrations of pavement, buildings and other surfaces that absorb heat. Heat absorption happens when a city experiences much warmer temperatures than nearby rural areas. The difference in temperatures between urban and less developed urban areas has to do with how well surfaces in each environment absorb and hold heat. These surfaces absorb heat during the day and radiates it at night. This effect increases energy costs (such as air conditioning), air pollution levels and heat related illness and mortality. Green roofs help reduce the Urban Island Effect by cooling infrastructure and the surrounding air by evapotranspiration.

3. Green Roofs are Energy Efficient
Since green roofs absorb heat instead of attracting it, the system aids in reducing energy costs. A study conducted by the National Research Council of Canada found a six-inch extensive green roof can reduce summer energy demands by more than 75 per cent (Liu et al., 2003)1. Green roofs are beneficial for reducing energy costs during both summer and winter months due to the added layer of insulation. In the summer, the roof protects buildings from direct solar heat where, in the winter, the green roof helps to minimize heat loss through added insulation in the roof. The reduction of energy also means less greenhouse gases are emitted into the air.
4. Green Roofs are a Natural Air Filtration System
Traffic and other industries found within urban cities release air pollutants that have a negative impact on one’s health. The effects on a person’s health can be minimal (allergy-like symptoms) or more serious, such as heart and lung disease.
Plants found on green roofs remove air particulates by trapping them in their leaves. In addition to the removal of air pollutants, the plants produce oxygen and provides shade. This helps alleviates smog, reduce the urban island profile, and lessens the need for health care services, which results in societal cost savings.
5. Green Roofs Create a Habitat for Wildlife
As rooftops are undisturbed areas, they serve and provide new opportunities for wildlife to feed and shelter, and serves as a refuge for creatures struggling to survive. Many insects including ants, spiders, flies, and beetles have been found on green roofs. The roofs are optimal for ground-nesting birds who use the green roofs for nesting and raising their young.

This system is also very beneficial for urban beekeeping and endangered species, especially if the intensive green roofs flower in the summer and during dry periods.
Three Types of Green Roofs
Though there are three different types of green roofs, each one still has major environmental and sustainable benefits.
1. Extensive Green Roofs
These roofs are designed for environmental solutions and are made up of a thin layer of soil or other planting medium with shallow-root plants (sedum, mosses and grasses). These roofs are low maintenance and are ideal for large flat-roof buildings and apartments, but are also suitable for low-sloped residential roofs and retrofits. Though the plants are low maintenance, during the first year of being planted they will need to be watered regular, but after a year watering is no longer required. Overall extensive green roof systems are the cheapest to install and maintain.

2. Intensive Green Roofs
Intensive green roofs require the deepest soil (8-12 inches) and have the greatest impact on structural design, but they accommodate all types of plants big or small. Ensure you avoid plants with invasive root systems. This system allows for the creation of a park-like setting, thus are the best option for roof gardens that will be utilized. Features of these roofs include walkways, railings, lighting, parks, playgrounds, and even vegetable gardens are possible.
Due to the size and accommodation of intensive green roofs, a vast amount of attention must be focused on the different waterproofing and root barrier details. As these roofs are often utilized, regular maintenance is required for walkways and other occupancy zone to ensure safety of the visitors.
3. Semi-Intensive Green Roofs
This green roof system incorporates elements of both extensive and intensive systems. Semi-intensive green roofs are used to harness both environmental benefits and a diverse garden within a cost-efficient budget. Although this system is constructed in layers, it can be installed using a tray system. This system may require more maintenance due to the types of plants and greenery used, however it typically does not involve more maintenance than sidewalk planters. Plants used in these systems include mosses, grasses, sedum, herbs, flowering plants, taller grasses, and small shrubs.

About Bachly Construction
We build Luxury, Custom Homes & Cottages, Commercial Properties, as well as provide Property Mitigation & Restoration Services.
From our inception in 1962, Bachly Construction has grown from a family owned and operated home builder into the diverse multiple division construction company it is today. Despite our success and growth over the years, we have not forgotten our company’s roots and continue to follow the same values and quality craftsmanship that Bachly Construction was founded on.