Green Roof Growth Medium

The best green roof media should be able to effectively maintain water retention at optimum levels for vegetation as well as facilitate stormwater management.

Green roof growth medium.

Commonly referred to as growing media or soil substrates the growing medium used is an essential part of the green roof system. Container gardens on roofs where plants are maintained in pots are not generally considered to be true green roofs although. Types of green roofs. Last for many decades.

Conform to german fll granulometric standards. Be approximately 94 inorganic by dry weight 92 in british columbia as is the case with ecologically stable sustainable mature green roofs. Liveroof engineered green roof soil is designed to. When saturated these layers can weigh in at more than 100kg per square metre or 20lbs per square foot.

In addition to that green roof media should be able to supply basic nutrients and maintain good porosity. Green roofs are made up of several layers typically a waterproof root barrier layer to protect the roof a drainage layer water retention mat then the growing medium and vegetation. Filter rainwater and buffer acid rain. However the factors allowing for a lightweight roof can create a high stress environment for plant material.

In general the bulk of the water storage in a green roof buildup is in the growing medium. Green roof substrate has been researched developed blended and improved over several decades. Effectively grow liveroof plants. A green roof or living roof is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium planted over a waterproofing membrane it may also include additional layers such as a root barrier and drainage and irrigation systems.

These generally require a 5 15cm 2 6in depth of growing medium that can consist mainly of lightweight inorganic materials such as perlite leca sand rockwool and crushed tiles or concrete. The extensive green roof lightweight cost effective and probably the most popular of the green roofs. Green roof growing media is an integral part of a functioning green roof system. This of course can be reflected in the cost of building materials.

Careful consideration and planning is required during the design phase of a green roof build and a local growth expert should be consulted in order to develop the best system for your needs.