Types of Green Roofs
A green roof can take the form of a garden with vegetables and flowers, or it can simply be a growth of sod instead of tile. Green roofs collect and manage storm water, reduce the heat island effect in urban areas and even contribute to the longevity of the roof. Green roofs protect the roofing material from storm water and sunlight, and the roof can withstand weathering longer. Green roofs also collect storm water, which can reduce erosion and the likelihood of flooding. Does this Spark an idea?
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Intensive
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Intensive green roofs often have pathways. Intensive green roofs require extensive labor and care on the part of the building owner. They include more varieties of plants than other types of green roofs, including the occasional tree, according to the Michigan State University Green Roof Research Program. Intensive green roofs are usually built on buildings with flat roofs, such as corporate buildings, and often have walkways and paths for use by the people who use the building. Intensive roofs are sometimes part of gardening cooperatives.
Extensive
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Green roofs are sometimes planted with sod. Extensive green roofs use a very limited number of grasses, mosses and, occasionally, drought-resistant plants for cover. The plants are planted in shallow planting material and usually require very little maintenance on the part of the building owner. Sod roofing is an example of an extensive green roof. This type of roofing does not usually include walkways or paths.
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Urban Gardens
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Urban gardening can be environmentally beneficial. Urban gardening utilizes roofs on top of city buildings to provide a place for gardeners to work with plants in the city. They also provide inexpensive, locally grown vegetables. Additionally, urban gardens can help to reduce the heat island effect of city buildings, which is environmentally beneficial. The heat island effect occurs when urban buildings increase the temperature of urban areas above the temperature of nearby rural areas, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
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References
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- Photo Credit urban garden image by Stephen Orsillo from Fotolia.com Garden accomplishment. image by Vladimir Kolobov from Fotolia.com grasses image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com Urban Garden Center image by mhiser from Fotolia.com
