“Green” roof: Why should I influence it?

Cities have very little green space.

Is it time to remodel your roof “green” and confirm multiples?

Green spaces are now scarce in cities.

In fact, in Greece the ratio is much smaller compared to international standards:

2-3 sq.m. in relation to the 8-12 sq.m. of international standards. Thus, the “green” roof was presented as a smart and easy solution.

Abroad there are special subsidy programs for their construction, but not entirely in Greece.

However, do not despair! The construction of a “green” roof is quite easy, since you will turn to a specialist, and relatively economical, as it costs less than or up to €100 per sq.m.

What is a “green” roof?

By “green” roof we mean the covering of a roof, a terrace or a veranda with greenery, with a height of 10 cm, depending on the configuration of the space and the needs of the owners. There are three types: intensive, semi-intensive and intensive type.

What are the one rooftop gardens

What they will gain from the construction of a roof garden is multiple:

High aesthetic value: A corner with a water heater and some dusty skylights is transformed from concrete into an oasis.

The sight acts as an anxiolytic, offers peace and relaxation away from the noise and exhaust gas, while also increasing the value of the building in which you live.

Many and different types: There are many and interesting options. You can decorate your roof with ornamental and climbing hardy plants, you can design a garden or you can choose the vegetables you yourself have grown according to the season thanks to your own vegetable garden.

Eco-friendly construction: A green roof will be constructed with recycled or recycled materials.

Protection against extreme temperature differences:

Reduces the temperature of the building by 10 degrees Celsius. Also, it is worth mentioning that the temperature on the surface of a conventional roof can reach 80 degrees Celsius.

On the contrary, because the plants absorb sun to satisfy their needs, the temperature on the surface of a “green” roof is reduced to 35 degrees.

• Filtering: The plants in the rooftop garden filter the air making the microclimate of the city healthier.
• Fire protection: Plants contain water and thus, in the event of a fire, they suppress its spread.
• Reduction of building maintenance costs: Green protects the surface of the waterproofing layer from extreme weather conditions such as rain, snowfall and hail, as well as from solar radiation. It also eliminates the cost of resealing and maintaining the concrete.
• Utilization of rainwater: 10%-50% of the water that comes from rainfall is contained by the plants and – instead of ending up in the sewers – returns to its natural cycle.
• Insulation: The compound offered by the “green” roof is as much about noise reduction – 10 decibels more than conventional compound – as well as heating and soul. More specifically, it reduces costs by saving energy up to 2 liters of oil per sq.m.

In conclusion, the cost compared to the criteria offered by a “green” roof is very low.

Give yourself a gift and build a beautiful garden on your roof, enjoying its benefits for a lifetime!

How to get started

The beginning we can have can literally be made with two or three pots.

We can have two plants in them that we bought from a nursery or one that someone gave us.

If we do not have special knowledge, we can put plants in these pots that do not require expertise.

Two pots of plants are not a big expense or burden for the roof while we can help to get close to the plants.

Yuccas, shrubs and cacti require almost no water, which we can carry in a bottle.

If we have rubber available, we must leave a reasonable time for the soil to dry, then pour water again, to avoid rotting the plants.

If there is no shade, we ask for plants that live only in full sun. But if we have a lot of shade, then we have to ask for or buy plants that live in the shade

How to go up a step

If you want to expand the green decoration of your home, you can buy some more, white pebbles or white stones and a planter.

Remove houseplants and other plants that need movement according to the weather such as sefflera and moss, because terraces form a microclimate and are affected by strong ones that can burn.

With a bag of potting soil, you can fill your planter and plant climbing plants or small trees such as ornamental olives.

You can apply white pebbles on one side or put white stones that you collected around the pots, which could give aesthetics to your space and does not need much money.

Also, the white color can lower the temperature under your roof, since it reflects the sun’s rays compared to the dark concrete that contains them.

The roof gives you space to put as many pots as you want, unlike many who fill up their balcony.

Finally, do not forget to leave your plants with a stick or a small stake if they are short and with a thin trunk, so that the wind does not damage them.

In case you want to make a regular garden

You can also carry larger pots to the roof, avoiding being full before you put them up.

If you want to look in a large pot, you can do by putting the soil when you install them.

You can again very cheaply buy plants simply from a nursery, without building an entire facility.

There is a lot of advice on how to plant larger species online, so you should do a little research. With two regular bags of soil you could fill a relatively large pot.

Avoid planting trees that grow tall and fast because they will cause problems and break your pots.

In nurseries you can ask which ones to avoid. Leave the holes in the pots open and remember, too much water is not good.

If you have gutters, collect the leaves so that the roof does not flood.

We don’t need an architect and turf for a green roof. With a few pots, some pebbles or even a planter, our roof can become a little stone in greening the environment and cultivating an example of ecological consciousness.

When it comes to plants, your knowledge level has no particular requirement or limit, you can evolve as much as you want.