Do-it-Yourself Green Roofs: Eco Roof Installation

Green roofs or eco roofs are an excellent way to reduce energy costs and reduce urban "heat island" effects that increase atmospheric temperatures. A green roof is a roof that is covered with vegetation. Green roofs are still relatively scarce in the United States today but appeared throughout the Midwest prairie homes of decades gone by. They are common throughout European commercial and residential areas today, covering over 100 million square feet of rooftops.

In both commercial and residential applications, green roofs offer many benefits to property owners. Green roofs reduce energy costs by adding insulation in winter and absorbing heat in summer. Estimates of energy savings range from 6-50% depending on the roof size. When installed in new construction, the incorporation of a green roof into the project's design allows a reduction in the size of heating and cooling systems needed. This adds an upfront savings s smaller units may be installed for smaller heating and cooling loads. In today's housing market, energy savings equals increased property value. Some green roof projects are eligible for tax credits and other "green" incentives. Green roofs transform impervious surfaces such as tar and asphalt into useable green space that absorbs solar radiation and carbon dioxide.

Until now, green roofs in residential areas have been outnumbered by commercial coverage because the task of installing a green roof can be overwhelming for individual home owners. In part this is due to expense but also attributed to a lack of knowledge in general about green roofs, their benefits and how to install them. As such an important feature of a home's structural soundness, the thought of an "outside the norm" roof treatment can be intimidating.

The green roof market is changing to encourage more residential installations. This is occurring through the introduction of do-it-yourself (DIY) modular green roofing systems. The cost becomes more affordable as homeowners can eliminate much of the labor costs of installation by doing the work themselves.

GreenGrid Do-It-Yourself Kit is a green roof kit that uses 2' x 2' x 4" recycled plastic modules, geotextile root and soil barrier, soil and plants. The plants are selected based on the growing region of the project and comply with a standard for drought tolerance, low maintenance and aesthetics.

While the kit is meant for home owner installation there are requirements prior to installation that are best handled by a professional. The home owner should consult a structural engineer as the green roofs elements add weight. The GreenGrid system modules weigh up to fifteen pounds each when filled. The existing roof should be in good condition prior to installation of a green roof. If leaks are present or if repairs are needed these should be done before the green roof is installed. Not every roof can be green. For GreenGrid's system the suggested slope should be 5% or less. All of these factors can be determined through professional consultation with an engineer, inspector or contractor. It is also likely that a permit should be obtained just like with any major home improvement project. The local town hall is a good place to start inquiring about the needed permits.

If you are up for the challenge of a DIY green roof installation a DIY kit will provide everything you need. However, there are some important things to keep in mind. Safety is a high priority due to the project's location. The work area should have proper precautions for all installers on the roof and on the ground. Just as a professional would do it's a good idea to have a to scale working plan on paper before you begin. This can create a faster, more efficient work flow and ensure everyone has the same idea for desired results. It can also outline any roof details that need to be avoided such as antennas or chimneys.

Through establishing safety precautions and creating a design, you can establish the best method for your green roof installation. You can either preassemble modules on the ground or carry components separately and then assemble on the roof. The latter is easier for less accessible roofs. Either method will consist of laying out the modules, placing the root and soil barrier, growth media or soil and placing all the plants. The modules should be installed from one outside line keeping the modules in straight lines and the corners touching.

Initially, the green roof might need to be watered regularly until the plants are established, but the selected vegetation is intended to be low maintenance and highly drought tolerant for a long life. The installation of a green roof on any surface has tremendous benefits that will soon become apparent to the homeowner. Increased energy savings will be the most obvious but a green roof installation will also help absorb solar radiation, absorb carbon dioxide and help decrease stormwater runoff. Now with DIY systems, green roof technology is an affordable way for home owners to participate in sustainable building practice.