| The trend towards green roof construction has been | | | | to be environmentally responsible. Plenty of others |
| quietly growing in major cities around the world since | | | | are looking for ways to conserve on energy as a |
| the 1960's. Although green roofing is quite common in | | | | means of reducing costs. |
| Europe, it has only begun to gain industry acceptance | | | | Whatever the reason, the construction of all green |
| in the U.S. over the past several years as individuals, | | | | roof systems follows the same basic blueprint. The |
| government agencies, and businesses alike have | | | | key components include decking, waterproofing, |
| become interested in its environmental benefits and | | | | insulation, drainage, filter cloth, medium and, finally, |
| cost-saving potential. Green roof construction | | | | plants. The selection of plants depends entirely on |
| provides companies with sustainable energy that can | | | | the roof's primary purpose, but ultimately comes |
| cut costs significantly. | | | | down to a question of how much time and money |
| Ideal Plants for a Green Roof | | | | you have to allocate to roof maintenance. Green |
| Generally speaking, the plants you select for your | | | | roofing can help your company or home save money |
| green roofing should be ecologically compatible with | | | | by saving you countless dollars on energy costs and |
| your construction location and resistant to weather, | | | | even providing revenue through the sale of excess |
| insects and disease. Ideal plants are very hardy, fast | | | | energy. |
| growing, non-invasive, and fire resistant. For minimal | | | | Green Roofs, LEED & Responsible Building |
| maintenance, they should have a shallow, fibrous root | | | | Green roofs, LEED certified construction, and other |
| system and be resistant to damage when walked on. | | | | environmentally responsible building practices are on |
| Succulent groundcovers like Delosperma, Jovibarba | | | | the rise. Awareness campaigns extolling the virtues |
| and Sedum are top choices for green roofing. | | | | and benefits of sustainable building and design are |
| Why Install a Green Roof System? | | | | encouraging municipalities across the country to |
| The motivation for installing green roof systems is | | | | follow the example of cities like Chicago, which |
| varied, as they offer plenty of benefits over | | | | currently leads the nation in green roofs, LEED |
| traditional roofing. For some, green roofing is a | | | | certification and incentives to encourage |
| necessary step on the path to LEED certification. | | | | environmentally responsible businesses. |
| Some cultivate roof systems simply out of a desire | | | | |