Green Roofs

naomig

Hi All, was just wondering if anyone here has any experience with green roofs? No idea why, but I am really in love with the idea of having a green roof and we have a separate garage near our house which its current roof needs re-doing and to be completely honest is a bit of an eye-sore from our bedroom window. I would love to give it a go and make it into a proper green roof. I am not looking for any companies to do this, but I would love for me and my husband to do this ourselves in spring time. Any advice on where to start? I have been looking into the subject online over the last few weeks but would be good to hear real people's experiences with a similar project?

[Deleted User]

our eco house and the garage here were designded and built with green roofing in mind. They have the appropriate membrane. We have done the research and will not be having a green roof, we have had two very hot dry summers in the 18 months we have lived here and anything on the membrane would just wither and dry up due to lack of water. There is no way that dh and I could climb up there to supply moisture and I wouldn`t want to just be a seed bed for a load of weeds. Don`t believe that they are maintenance free because they aren`t

RAS

There was a DIY article in the Permaculture mag about three years ago. They may have a back copy.

Depends where you live as well - green roofs in Norway can be cut for hay because of the rain. In other areas, you may need to choose succulents.

naomig

Thanks for your advice, i was not able to find back copy order of the magazine. I am aware of the maintenance that may be requiered but i think

I think I’m in a position to give it a go and as we are both quite good at diy work, I don’t think it would be too much trouble getting the membrane and foundations correct. Found some helpful tips on it on this green roofs website although it does not go into depth which is what I would really want. Anyone know any other good resources?

Jnelhams

Have a look at this site for supplies.

http://www.enviromat.co.uk/pages/green_roof.php

lostinrates

kittie wrote: »

. There is no way that dh and I could climb up there to supply moisture and I wouldn`t want to just be a seed bed for a load of weeds. Don`t believe that they are maintenance free because they aren`t

Could one not plan to supply water by laying/installing as part of construction a seep hose/sprinkle even, to attach/switch on at ground level when needed?

forgotmyname

Will the roof need new support beams before you think of adding a green roof?

I was on a website somewhere a while back and it had step by step photo's. 14 tons.....
Thats what they used to calculate the stress on the roof beams and walls.

The roof didnt look that big either, But they had to account for the roof being waterlogged and
the potential weight of 12 inches+ of snow.

Probably a US site. Sometimes i wish i live there. Walmart seem to sell everything over there and cheap.

Imagine going to Tesco or Asda and asking for a set of piston rings for your car... Oh can i have a small
jet engine as well please. Any offers on the plutonium this week?

naomig

Jnelhams - Thanks, actually came across that site and have a small shopping list already planned.

lostinrates - Yes, that’s how hubby wants to do it. Lay the hose all the way across and just turn the tap on at ground level when needed.

forgotmyname - Any chance you remember the site you were looking at?

now... just need to figure out how to get our lawn mower up to the roof and we are all set :-)