Green Roofs are vegetated layers that sit on top of the conventional waterproofed roof surfaces of a building. Whilst green roofs come in many different forms and types, usually a distinction is made between Intensive, Simple Intensive and Extensive or Wildlife Roofs. These terms refer to the degree of maintenance the roofs require.

As you can imagine, the addition of a green roof to an otherwise unused area on a building, is beneficial in many ways.  The benefits are not only to the surrounding environment  - there are also other advantages to be aware of, such as waterproofing membrane protection, storm-water retention, reduced energy consumption, improved air quality, sound insulation, reduction of the urban heat island effect, aesthetics and increased property value. The advantages are growing!    
      
          
      
                     
Intensive Green Roof:          
                     
          
- Is only accessible for inspection and maintenance. 
- Requires very low maintenance. 
- Aesthetic & ecological function. 
- On wood, metal and concrete roofs.  
      
                     
Intensive Green Roofs are composed of relatively deep substrates and can therefore support a wide range of plant types including trees and shrubs as well as perennials, grasses and annuals. As a result, they are generally heavy and require specific support from the building. Intensive green roofs (what most people think of as roof gardens) have in the past been rather traditional in their design, simply reproducing landscapes found on the ground, such as lawns, flower beds and water features. However, more contemporary intensive green roofs can be visually and environmentally exciting, integrating water management systems that process waste water from the building as well as storing surplus rainwater in constructed wetlands. Because of their larger plant material and horticultural diversity, intensive green roofs can require a substantial input of resources – the usual pruning, clipping, watering and weeding as well as irrigation and fertilization.

                     
Simple Intensive Green Roof:          
                     
          
- Less accessible. 
- Intended for aesthetic purposes.
- Still allows choice of vegetation. 
- Requires less maintenance. 
- Fewer structural demands.
      
                     
Simple Intensive Green Roofs are composed of lightweight layers of free-draining material that support low-growing, hardy, drought-tolerant vegetation. These simple intensive green roofs have great potential for wide application because, being lightweight, they require little or no additional structural support from the building. Furthermore, because the vegetation is adapted to the extreme roof top environment,  simple intensive green roofs require little in the way of maintenance and resource input. Simple intensive green roofs can be designed into new buildings or ‘retro-fitted’ onto existing buildings.

   
                     
Extensive Green Roof:          
                     
          
- Accessible only for inspection and maintenance. 
- Requires very low maintenance. 
- Aesthetic & ecological function. 
- On wood, metal and concrete roofs.
      
                     
Extensive Green Roofs or Wildlife Roofs are becoming more popular, as people become more aware of biodiversity issues and options for conservation. These are designed either to replicate the specific habitat needs of a single or small number of species, or to create a range of habitats which can maximize the array of species which inhabit and use the roof. 

Because of their very wide range of environmental and economic benefits (in particular their insulation and cooling properties, ability to significantly reduce rainwater runoff from roofs, and their value in promoting biodiversity and habitat in built-up areas), green roofs have become important elements of sustainable and green construction in many countries. Moreover, because they can be highly visible, green roofs clearly signal the intent for sustainable building and can provide a building or development with a positive and distinctive image.          

                     
Benefits of Green Roof Areas:          
                     
          
- Ecological and aesthetic roof concept. 
- Thermal insulation and sound insulation. 
- Natural filter for rainwater (slow-down effect in storm water release). 
- Additional protection of waterproofing. 
- Increase in property value (recent Toronto City study).
      
                     
* Our applicators carefully seal around penetrations, vents, skylights, dormer windows and chimneys to ensure a leak-free roof. 

** The information on this page is a brief introduction to the Green Roof - Living Roof System. For more information, specs and data sheets, please visit the supplier website or email us with your enquiry. 

New Zealand Green Roof - Living Roof System suppliers: Nuralite, Equus, WPS, Jaydex, Nuplex, Viking, Ardex, Allco, ABEP, Sika and Hitchins.