Sunday, September 14, 2008

Install your green roof at home

In a modern contaminated world, any initiative attempting to protect the environment is welcome. The latest one are green roofs. A green roof system is an extension of the existing roof which involves a high quality water proofing and root repellant system, a drainage system, filter cloth, a lightweight growing medium and plants.

Green roof systems may be modular, with drainage layers, filter cloth, growing media and plants already prepared in movable, interlocking grids, or, each component of the system may be installed separately. Green roof development involves the creation of "contained" green space on top of a human-made structure. This green space could be below, at or above grade, but in all cases the plants are not planted in the "ground". Green roofs can provide a wide range of public and private benefits, not only provide the owners of buildings with a proven return on investment, but also represent opportunities for significant social, economic and environmental benefits, particularly in cities. Find out more about the private and public benefits of green roof technologies below.