Essential Green Roof Construction: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide (Sustainable Building Essentials Series, 12)

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Create Sustainable, Beautiful, and Energy-efficient Green Roofs
Part of the Sustainable Building Essentials series, Essential Green Roof Construction is the complete step-by-step guide to designing and installing living roofs on houses and small buildings. Learn how green roofs protect your home, improve energy efficiency, and support the environment—all while adding beauty and value.

What You’ll Learn

Long-lasting Roof Protection: Green roofs shield waterproofing layers from UV exposure and temperature extremes, extending roof lifespan. Energy Efficiency and Comfort: Reduce heating and cooling needs with natural insulation and thermal buffering. Stormwater Management and Urban Benefits: Absorb rain, reduce runoff, and help mitigate urban heat islands. Biodiversity and Food Production: Support pollinators, create habitat, and grow edible plants when desired. Design and Construction Mastery: Step-by-step guidance on planning, material selection, load assessment, roof prep, planting, and detailing for safe installation. Plan, Budget, and Build Confidently: Navigate building codes, site constraints, and professional consultations to ensure a durable, compliant roof.

Written by Leslie Doyle, a certified LiveRoof Installer and accredited Green Roof Professional, this guide combines hands-on experience and up to date techniques, giving DIY builders and professionals the confidence to create functional, sustainable, and visually striking green roofs.

Explore the full Sustainable Building Essentials series for practical, illustrated guidance on natural building systems, high-performance envelopes, and sustainable construction techniques.

From the Publisher

Wondering what green roofs look like in practice? Take a look at these real-life examples.

Self Seeding Herbs

This green roof boasts an abundance of the common chive, a self-seeding perennial herb that is not only prolific but also edible.

Various Sun Exposures

A varied planting plan was necessary for this green roof in order to take into account the diverse levels of sun exposure.

Rooftop Garden

A vegetable garden featuring a range of different vegetables was established on this green roof.

Differing Plant Depths

Shallower 4-inch sections of the roof feature succulents, while deeper 6-8 inch areas support diverse plant species. Perimeter and large planters have trees and wildflowers planted.

Getting Started

Planning your green roof

Green roofs offer many benefits, such as insulation and reduced run-off. Before designing a green roof, check local regulations, insurance coverage, and the roof’s ability to handle extra weight. If building a new structure, there’s more flexibility in design.

Site and Design Factors

Feasibility of a green roof depends on municipal regulations, structural allowances, and safety conditions. Understanding these factors and creating a roof and site plan can guide the appropriate green roof class and system, material, and plant selection.

Plants for Green Roofs

Choosing plants for your green roof is an exciting part of the process. While the plant list is more limited than for at-grade gardens, the choices are still plentiful. With many beautiful species to choose from, you can let your rooftop features help determine the best plants for your roof.

Green Roof Versatility

Green roofs offer a versatile solution for a range of building projects, including new rural builds, urban retrofits, and food production. Incorporating green roofs into building design can bring both green and social benefits, making them a valuable addition to any project.

A New Rural Build

On a rural build, a covered porch was designed to

accommodate a green roof. A mix of sedums and hardy

native perennials were specified, as the porch was open underneath with no insulation. This project was designed by Natvik Design, Inc. and installed by building students.

An Urban Retrofit Build

In this urban build, a replacement membrane was required, so a green roof was planned and installed by Restoration Gardens with a roofing contractor installing an EPDM membrane.

Food Production Roofs

Rooftop food production has gained popularity due to concerns over food security. With ample sun exposure and low slopes, roofs are perfect for growing food. You can either plan a rooftop for this purpose or convert an existing green roof.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ New Society Publishers
Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 9, 2021
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 176 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0865719152
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0865719156
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.3 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 0.52 x 11 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #923,256 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #5 in Roofing Home Remodeling (Books) #32 in Sustainability & Green Design #214 in Do-It-Yourself Home Improvement (Books)
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