![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.buildteam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Green-Roof.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWhile the basic advantages of all three roof types is quite similar, there is slight difference in its installation, access, and maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Extensive green roof has a shallow growing medium, which is less than 6 inches and affects moderately on roof load. Due to its soil condition, there is limited option in plant type for installation, minimal water requirement, often no need for irrigation and drainage systems and is often not accessible. These are low maintenance green roofs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some other advantages of this roof type are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00b7 Lightweight<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00b7 Suitable for large areas<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00b7 Suitable for roofs with 0-30\u00b0 slope<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00b7 Relatively little technical expertise needed<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00b7 Often suitable for retrofit projects<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00b7 Vegetation can develop spontaneously<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00b7 Relatively inexpensive<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00b7 Looks more natural<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00b7 Easy to get planning authority approval<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Along with these numerous advantages, extensive green roof can have some disadvantages due to its limitations, including less choice, no access for any alternative use and it could also become less attractive during winter due to its vegetation type.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Intensive green roof on the other hand has more soil and deeper growing medium, as much as several feet. Due to this, it can support diverse plant types, including small trees. This also means it can have more substantial load on the roof under and need more maintenance and frequent watering. This roof type is usually accessible, an example of which can be urban architecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some other advantages of this roof type are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00b7 Good insulation properties<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00b7 Can simulate a wildlife garden on the ground<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00b7 Often visually accessible<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u00b7 Diverse utilization of roof (can be used as recreational space, open space or for growing food)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although intensive green roofs have more character and functionality to it, due to its deeper growing medium, it requires better irrigation and drainage systems, hence, greater need for energy, water and other materials. This can turn into higher maintenance cost and need for more complex systems required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, semi-intensive green roof is an amalgamation of both roof types, extensive and intensive, hence has advantages and features of both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every green roof is site specific, depending on the roof type and more importantly, the load it is able to bear. According to this, appropriate soil depth and plant type can be decided. Some other factors which effect the decision making for green roof type are annual rainfall and stormwater performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The following is a basic anatomy of a green roof. Each of these layers play a specific function in maintaining the plants and protecting the structure beneath:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Installation of green roofs can be in either a large section of integrated area, or even using a portable planting bed for modular green roofs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n