Todays' society is considered to be relatively conscious of the changes in weather when it comes to the global climate in general. Due to improper conduct and lack of knowledge, humanity has created significant problems for the entire planet. Being aware of the impending doom that may follow unless action is taken, it is upon the little, ordinary man to take action.

One of the things that certainly plays a role in caring for the environment can take place in your home. A rising star among the roofs, a green roof is considered to be a trend.

What is a green roof?

David, owner of a roofing company in Atlanta GA, would say that generally speaking, a green roof  is a roof completely covered with vegetation. It is usually planted on top of a waterproof membrane and may include a root barrier, drainage systems and irrigation systems. Plants are usually kept in adequate pots.

There are several benefits to installing a green roof. First of all, because of the shield of plants topping your roof, you don't have to worry about rainwater, since it is all collected by plants. Second of all, a green roof provides additional insulation to your home which can result in reduced energy costs. Also, being aesthetically pleasing, the roof acts as a deterrent for modern day life. In addition to that, by lowering urban air temperatures, a green roof can ultimately mitigate the heat island effect  Last of all, green roofing can extend your roofs' lifespan by three times and can increase property value up to 7%.

There are two main types of green roofs. The first one is an intensive roof which includes a minimum depth of 5 inches. It can support a variety of plants, but is more difficult and time-consuming to maintain. The other type is the extensive roof. As opposed to the intensive roof, an extensive roof is relatively shallow, measuring between 0,79 inches to 5 inches in depth. On the other hand, they require minimal maintenance.

Disadvantages of green roofing

One of the main obstacles a homeowner may face when it comes to installing a green roof is the cost. Usually, the cost of a green roof can even double that of a normal roof.

Furthermore, based on the type of roof, maintenance costs could exceed your expectations. To brighten things up, there are options of green roofing that require no ongoing cost.

Since you are creating a small oasis on your roof amidst all of this urban terrain, it is expect that your endeavour may attract some unwanted visitors. Pest insects are the first thing you should bear in mind since they can most easily breach a building by entering through the windows.

Because of the above-mentioned reasons, one could expect to encounter more green roofs on its daily commute. Although the prospect itself sounds like it should be made a normative, the truth is that not many building today can support the extra weight of green roofing. To explain, the soil substrate and retained water place an additional burden on the structural support of your household.

Brown roofs

As another option for those willing to invest in their own urban jungle is a brown roof. A brown roof is a small ecosystem, that may support various plants, animals and other creatures. In urban areas, such biodiverse roofs can make up for the damage done by further urban development. By offering a habitat to spiders and insects and thus offering food to insectivorous birds it can help restore the lost balance.