Building a green roof is a more complex process than building a standard roof, and this is because you will actually be using your roof for a multitude of purposes. It is ideal to take your time with this kind of decision-making as you do not want to regret any decisions you make with designs for green roofs.
The Type of Roof It Is Going to Be
If you are interested in heavier plants and heavy growth, you need to understand that this will be an intensive roof that is able to handle 30 pounds or more within a single square foot. However, there are still limitations in regard to what you can grow on a roof, so you should express your ideas and concerns to professionals that deal in the industry of constructing green roofs. For homeowners that are looking to grow lightweight plants, an extensive roof may be all that is necessary for their green roof, which means every square foot can withstand a weight of 18 to 22 pounds.
Retaining Storm Water
When you have a sloped roof, you will notice that water can descend rather quickly, which can leave some plants with excessive water and others with not enough. It is important to combat this with a thought-out irrigation system, which can be done with careful planning by placing plants that need a lot of water towards to the bottom of your roof, and plants that do not need much at the top.
Types of Plants to Be Planted
Since having a green roof means growing plants on your roof, you need to decide what kind of plants are going to be grown. For instance, while you should avoid plants that have sprawling root systems, there are still plenty of herbs and vegetables that can be grown with ease and great success.