Building a small eco friendly home opens up alternatives for systems you can use to lower energy costs and help the environment. A vegitative roof is one system you can consider when designing and building your small house. Simply put, a vegitative roof is a roof that is designed to hold and grow plant life, also referred to as a green roof.

Benefits of a Green Roof

Energy Conservation - If you’ve ever seen a heat photo of a house you know that the most heat/air is lost through the roof, which is one reason insulation is so important in attic spaces. By creating a green roof, the outward air flow is minimized and better yet, the suns rays are put to good use helping the roof plants grow rather than making your air conditioner work harder in the warm months. As more houses are built, more plants are destroyed, so creating space to replant these much needed oxygen producers helps the environment.

Storm Water Management - During each rain and snow, the water that lands on a roof has to go somewhere. This runoff can cause problems around the home as well as when the water reaches the nearest sewage treatment plant as it must be treated. A green roof can absorb 60-100% of storm water, slow the drainage and help filter the water of chemicals.

Longer Roof Life - The plants in a green roof protect the actual roofing materials from the sun and the effects of fluctuating temperatures, making the roof last longer.

Aesthetically Pleasing Look - This one is pretty simple, would you rather look at shingles or flowers? You can find a list of plants that do well on vegitative roof systems here (PDF link).

Green Roof Considerations

Installation - If you are designing your small house, or buying a design that already includes a green roof you are good to go, but if you want to add a green roof to your current home you will need to consult a structural engineer to determine if your roof can handle the load or what changes need to be made.

Maintenance - A green roof can be designed that is virtually maintenance free, but depending on the types of plants you choose, your location, snowfalls, etc, you may need access to the roof for routine maintenance. An extensive green roof system uses mostly drought tolerant plants with a depth of less than 4 inches. An intensive green roof can be a foot or more deep to accommodate bushes and even trees, which needs a lot more care and therefore more easy access.

Cost - The initial cost of a green roof is likely to be more than a traditional roof, but the energy savings, lower maintenance and virtually no repair costs over the life of a traditional roof, make a green roof a smart financial move. Calculating your savings will help you make a decision.

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