Sedum roof shed © atelier GROENBLAUW

Nature roof

Data

  • Weight: 
    100-300 kg/m²
  • Depth: 
    10-25 cm
  • Roof pitch: 
    0-5° (0-9%)
  • Advantage: 
    Herbs / grasses / sedum, possibly woody plants
  • Water retention: 
    60-90%
  • Discharge coefficient: 
    0.4-0.1
  • Water storage: 
    approx. 30-80 l/m²
  • Water: 2
  • Heat: 2
  • Biodiversity: 3
  • Air quality: 1
  • Energy: 3
  • Multifunctional space usage: 2
  • Costs: 2

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Garden roof in Stuttgart, Germany © Optigrün

Extensive green roofs consist of a thin substrate layer and a layer of moss/sedum vegetation, which may be supplemented with herbs and grasses. Besides moss/sedum vegetation, special grasses and herbs can also be planted; the drawback is that in summertime they often dry out and turn yellow. However, after a rain shower these plants restore. The cooling capacity of dried roofs in summer is less.

Below the substrate layer there is a drainage layer or drainage system, then a root-resistant layer, and below this the roof construction and insulation.

Moss/sedum plants are very suitable, as these plants have the capacity to store large quantities of water and are thus able to survive prolonged dry spells. Moss/sedum roofs also do not require an irrigation system. Green roofs need to be checked annually for seedlings of larger plants such as trees; these must be removed, as they can damage the waterproof membrane.

 

Nature roof © Optigroen

1 vegetation
2 substrate
3 filter mat
4-5 drainage layer
6 protection and storage mat