Living roof. Green roof. Roofs with landscaping. Some rules for installing a green roof

Traditional grass roof construction in the Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands are over 20 volcanic islands in the northeast Atlantic Ocean. Autonomous region of Denmark.

The harmonious combination with the environment, for the most part, of peasant houses with green roofs is due, first of all, to natural building materials, which, first of all, include those extracted from local quarries natural stones, turf and timber imported from Norway. The walls of such houses were built from hewn stones, while their supporting structure was a frame made of thick boards or logs, on which they rested truss structure. In their structure, such houses were similar to Icelandic dwellings, the roofs of which were also covered with grass. This type of house design was widespread until the 18th-19th centuries.

The roofs, on which herbs and wild flowers were planted, were made with both hanging and layered rafters.

Rice. Roof manufacturing technology
A - Roof with hanging rafters; B - Roof with layered rafters.

Let us recall that the hanging rafters are connected to each other in the area of the ridge and have no other supports except the upper crown of the walls ( top harness For frame structure). Roofs with layered rafters are characterized by the presence longitudinal beams(purlins), which are located parallel to the side overhangs of the roof and connected to the gables.

Both designs have their advantages and disadvantages. For example, the main advantage of hanging rafters is that they transmit only vertical pressure to the walls. In addition, this design is simpler

Rice. Combined load-bearing roof structure

However, the combined load-bearing roof structure, which is able to withstand sufficient high loads(wind, snow, and also its own weight).

It was this type of supporting structure that was considered most suitable for landscaping.

Traditionally, they tried to make the roof to be landscaped not too steep, so that the birch bark and turf laid on it would not slide off. At the same time, water should quickly flow down the bark, which means the roof should not be made too flat.

So, in the southern and western regions In Norway, when constructing roofs with hanging rafters, the length of the rafters was taken equal to 3/5 of the width of the house. In this case, the slope of the roof slopes was 33°.

When constructing a roof with layered rafters, the slope of the slopes was determined by the ratio of the height of the roof at the ridge to the width of the house. For example, when the slopes are inclined at 22°, this parameter is 1/5. When installing grass roofs, other standards were also followed.

By the way, the slope of the roofs old houses on the Faroe Islands sometimes even reached 45°. And this is justified: heavy rainfall in that region is not uncommon.

Note that according to the recommendations of modern Norwegian experts optimal inclination roof slopes with grass cover are 20...27°. In regions where there is a large amount of precipitation, it is not recommended to build green roofs with slopes less than 18°. In addition, when the slopes are inclined more than 23°, you should take additional measures, preventing the turf from sliding down.

Finally, another important indicator is load bearing capacity structure, which, in accordance with building regulations, must withstand a load of 300 kg/m2.

Research conducted by scientists in the Scandinavian countries (and primarily Norway) has convincingly proven that grass roofs can significantly reduce the level of air pollution and enrich it with oxygen and moisture. The most important thing is that the grass carpet of the roof creates a special energy in the home, where a person, tired of modern hectic life, can again feel in harmony with nature.

However, greening your roof is beneficial not only from an environmental point of view, but also from an economic point of view. In particular, a roof with grass covering helps to save heat and energy resources, can significantly reduce temperature fluctuations in the home, and improves the sound insulation of the building.

Its high thermal properties green roof owes, first of all, to the air gap formed between the stems of plants.

Unlike modern roofs, heating up to 80°C on hot days (which causes air movement and, as a result, contamination with dust particles), a roof with grass cover heats up to only 25°C, and thanks to convection, practically does not lose heat. In addition, due to the “breathing” of plant roots, the temperature of the grass, even in frost, is always above zero. The heat emitted from the walls of buildings is also partially absorbed by the grass carpet of the roof and accumulated by the soil layer and the moisture contained in the plants.

Thanks to these properties, houses with a green roof have an excellent microclimate. IN summer time There is a pleasant coolness in such a home. In essence, a grass roofing carpet is a kind of natural system conditioning. But that's not all.

As you know, plants absorb from the air carbon dioxide and enrich it with oxygen. So, according to research by Norwegian experts, the surface of the foliage of a green roof is almost 100 times larger than the area of the roof itself. Thanks to this, a grass carpet with an area of only 15 square meters. can produce enough oxygen for 10 people.

Finally, a green roof is an excellent self-cleaning natural air filter. After all, grass perfectly catches dust particles, and rain washes them away again.

The construction of a grass roof is similar in most cases. This is a load-bearing rafter structure and sheathing made of non-woven edged boards, on top of which turf was laid.

Instead of the waterproofing widely used today from rolled bitumen or other materials, a layer of birch bark was laid on the sheathing, on top of which turf was laid in two layers or a soil mixture was poured for sowing it with grass seeds.

However, before touching on the technology of laying bark and turf, it should be noted that the dead weight of a green roof is about 250 kg/m2. This means that the shear load (especially on roofs with steeper slopes) can move the entire grass covering down. To avoid this, it is imperative structural element green roofs had fences. Their function was traditionally performed by turf fencing beams or boards laid along the overhangs - the so-called turf holders.

At the same time, the construction of the roof when creating a grass carpet had to ensure unhindered drainage of rainwater from the roof slopes. To do this, it was necessary not only to choose the right shape of the sod holders, but also to attach them to the sheathing accordingly.

Strips of birch bark were laid overlapping each other. In the overhang area they were laid in 5...8 layers. At the same time, the strips released from under the fencing beam and placed on it were laid outer side up. This was done in order to ensure effective water drainage and protect the sod holder and the end parts of the sheathing boards from moisture. In addition, the bark, laid with the outer side up, is an important decorative element green roof.

To increase the service life of the roof, the bark on the rest of the roof was laid with the outer side down, since its inner side provides more effective protection lathing from the mixture of sigumic acids contained in the soil.

To protect the turf laid on the sides of the gable from wind and water erosion, natural stones were laid on the edges of the gable. Later, pediment wind elements, which were used as logs, began to be used for this purpose. They were laid so that the ends protruded above the ridge. The logs were joined crosswise. And since the logs were the same thickness as the sod holders, together they formed a kind of wooden frame for the entire roof.

In another option, a wind board was used to protect the grass surface from erosion. It was fastened with wooden dowels and covered with birch bark from moisture. Sometimes, instead of bark, a horizontally laid covering board was used.

Rice. Pediment with wind board. Birch bark is laid overlapping on the board

One of important elements traditional roofs with grass cover - a wooden gutter, which was made from boards connected to each other with screws at right angles or hollowed out from a tree trunk.

The weak point of grass roofs is the openings (particularly for chimneys). To prevent water from flowing down the walls of the pipe into the house, stone slabs protruding beyond the pipe were walled into its masonry.

Rice. Roof with grass covering in the area where the pipes meet
1 - traditional design; 2 - modern design.

At the same time, sheets of birch bark were placed under these slabs, diverting the flow of water to the roof. Stone slabs on the side of the slopes they were arranged in steps, which contributed to more efficient drainage of rain or melt water from the pipe walls.

A log is used as a fencing element, supported by a stop hook secured under the sheathing. IN in this case a hook embedded in the log of the upper crown is secured under the sheathing, and the round timber itself lies completely on the birch bark. To prevent water from accumulating on the roof, the sod holder has slots for drainage.

Rice. Fencing element made of boards and round timber

The round timber, in turn, is also lined with birch bark. Despite the presence of such moisture protection, the sod holder still needed to be periodically replaced with a new one.

For example, when attaching a stop hook on top of the sheathing, a space is created between the birch bark and the turf holder to ensure effective drainage of water. And when attaching the enclosing element using a dowel, special slots were provided in the sod holder for water drainage.

Another interesting solution is when the fencing beam is attached to the side, with a distance of 5 cm from the edge of the overhang, which also ensures rapid drainage of water.

In all these cases, the turf holders are protected by birch bark. The overhang zone itself is covered with several layers of bark.

Norwegian roofs with a lawn instead of tiles is the talk of all neighboring nations. Ironic Swedes have long been drawing Norwegians with grass on their heads instead of hair. Charming lawn roofs have now become as symbolic of the country as popular with tourists as fjords, trolls and salmon.

Grass roofs appeared in Norway and the Faroe Islands in ancient times. It was convenient and economical: construction material at hand, such roofs did not require special care, served for a long time, and even helped to camouflage from enemies.

Naturally, those who care To preserve traditions, Norwegians still lay them now - grass roofs can be seen on modern hotels and restaurants, on private houses and public transport stops. In some villages, almost half of the roofs sway in the wind like green waves. They say they improve the microclimate, provide reliable heat and waterproofing, and stabilize the temperature in the house.

Many craftsmen do such roofs yourself. The technology is described in detail on the Internet. Several private companies also offer the service in Norway. Although new tools are used when laying grass roofs, the basis is still the original technology and many manual labor Therefore, such roofs are somewhat more expensive than ondulin roofs.

First of all it fits several layers of dry bark. To make it waterproof, it can be soaked in sheep fat or blood. Peat, straw, moss are laid on it...

Many people dream of building a cottage With landscape design on the roof a la the Vikings. They say: “Can you imagine when the roof is Mother Earth, how peacefully you will sleep?”

The fact is that in the Norwegian roof there is a real biocenosis in its harmonious balance. Moreover, the roof simply must be moist; grass (and even bushes and trees) feed on this moisture, along with all the microorganisms of living peaty soil. However, it does not require painstaking care only due to the unique features of the Norwegian climate.

Rising this summer on the famous Prestolen rock, using the roots of trees, like steps, you can unravel the secret of the Norwegian fauna. So that thin layer The soil bears fruit so abundantly that it requires almost daily watering. The humidity and raininess of the Norwegian climate, as is known, is included in the Guinness Book of Records. Anywhere else on the planet, a grass roof would quickly dry out and be blown away by the wind.

It’s also clear where the rain comes from. The Gulf Stream reaches Norway. The warm vapors, in turn, rest against the mountain range, cool and rain (in Bergen, on a generally sunny day, I opened my umbrella five times!). Norway's water cycle is the most intense in the world. This is where they have 80 percent of hydropower and generally a surplus of energy, which they generously share with Europe. And what is especially valuable, unlike oil, it is a renewable, or rather, inexhaustible resource! That's physics.

That's why main characteristic The thing about a Norwegian roof is that, with all its functionality, it is also alive and fertile!

In eastern Norway behind the mountain range, where the climate is drier - and there are an order of magnitude fewer roofs with grass.

Who saw it for the first time Norway has earthen roofs, reminiscent of the famous English lawn. The fact that it needs to be cut, watered and rolled for 500 years is all a fairy tale for naive foreigners. Modern lawns have long been rolled out, mesh reinforced, planted in squares... After a year it is no different from 500 years old.

But nowhere does it say about the main thing - about its composition. And the whole secret is in the peaty base of the soil of the British Isles. This is why there is no wind erosion there (like ours), this is why the golf ball rolls like on a billiard table. That is why a horse gallops across it without tearing out the turf with its horseshoes, and that is why only on the grass courts of Wimbledon it is possible to cut the lawn to a height of only 8 millimeters (!) - standard for the legendary Grand Slam tournament.

About the same with grass roofs. Their creation is justified only in the conditions of the Norwegian climate and Norwegian turf. In our case, if a craving for roots has awakened, it is better to cover the roof with wood chips.

For several centuries, roofing in Norway was carried out using natural environmental materials. Green roofs in this country do not surprise anyone and are traditional. Since ancient times, the peoples of Scandinavia have made roofs from peat, turf, birch bark and other natural environmental materials.

The descendants of the Vikings, the Norwegians, highly appreciated this method of roofing and managed to preserve green roofs on their houses to this day. Almost until the beginning of the 19th century, turf was universal material, with which they covered the roofs of houses of all classes in Norway.

Over time, materials such as tiles, slate and others appear on the market. roofing materials, which gradually began to replace the traditional Norwegian ecological, beautiful and cute grass roofs. The “advance of civilization” began in the cities, but eventually reached the countryside.

Green grass roofs in Norway were saved from complete extinction by enthusiasts.

They organized and led a movement aimed at reviving ancient folk traditions. First, open-air museums, holiday houses in the mountains... and then green roofs made of grass and flowers again became simply popular and fashionable.

Indeed, in addition to the fact that such roofing is simply beautiful and gives aesthetic pleasure, it is quite cheap, durable, stabilizes the temperature in the house, improves the microclimate, providing reliable heat and waterproofing. Therefore, green roofs have become popular again and at the same time have become a worthy alternative to new building materials.

Surely at least once, you have heard about this miracle of Scandinavian gardeners - the “green” roof. It covers many of the homes of our northern neighbors. Beauty: instead of tiles or slate, there is a real carpet of flowers and herbs... But Scandinavia is one thing, with its cool summers and warm winter, and completely different – Russia. Here you’ll be gaping for a week, and goodbye-farewell, beloved vegetable garden! Will “green” roofing survive in domestic conditions? Is it possible alternative solutions? Let's try to figure it out in our article.

Why is this necessary? Or why not

A “green” roof has several obvious advantages: they are beautiful, practical and perfectly enrich the air with oxygen. Such roofs absorb rainwater well. A layer of soil up to 10 cm thick absorbs three-quarters of rainfall. This reduces the load on drainage system and storm drainage.

Scandinavian roofing is an excellent sound insulator. Neither the sound of rain nor the tramp of birds, which tire you in houses with metal tiles, will disturb you. Another advantage is passive energy saving. Green spaces prevent the roof from heating up in the summer and retain heat in the winter. Accordingly, the rooms themselves will have a more balanced climate all year round.

Oddly enough, Scandinavian roofs also have financial benefits. Greenery protects the roofing covering from ultraviolet radiation, bad weather and mechanical damage (for example, as a result of hail), and therefore the roof will last much longer. If you want to sell a “green” house, then its price will probably be higher than the cost of a regular building.
Now - about the shortcomings.

The most important one, of course, is related to money. Installation of a Scandinavian roof will require serious investments. Especially if we're talking about about intensive landscaping. In addition, not all roofs can be made “green” (unless they are painted! :)). Some of the already built houses may not be able to withstand the additional load.

Another important issue is protecting the roof from leaks. Even if you lay down a waterproof membrane, the roots of plants (especially trees and shrubs) can tear it. If you did something wrong during installation, leaks will begin. And repairs will be expensive and difficult. The entire roofing “pie” will have to be dismantled. Finally, such roofs are extremely difficult to assemble. You will probably spend a lot of time finding or growing the most resilient plants.

Which is more profitable?

A typical Scandinavian roof has slopes and a layer of soil of about 20 cm. This is enough to grow not only grass, but even trees and shrubs. This type of landscaping is called intensive.

A rooftop garden is a spectacular but also expensive option. But turf roofs with extensive landscaping require almost no maintenance. Short unpretentious plants planted on a thin layer of soil or compost. 5-7 cm is enough.

“Green” roofs are made not only flat, but also sloping. A pitched structure has advantages over a flat one. For example, thanks to her excess moisture flows down on its own. Therefore, sometimes waterproofing and drainage systems, which a flat roof with vegetation cannot do without, are not installed on slopes at all.

What to plant?

The most inexpensive landscaping option suitable for the Russian climate is steppe grasses: dandelion, plantain, knotweed, wormwood, mantle. They can be allowed to grow without mowing. This will add a special “Russian” charm to the roof. You can also try bentgrass. This grass does not need to be mowed, but it does not like to dry out.

A more “cultured” option is sedum, young, sedum. They are quite decorative: there are many types with different shades, from yellow and green to reddish. These plants practically do not need watering; rain is enough for them. They also do not require fertilizers. The disadvantage is that these herbs take a long time to grow.

In the nursery, one such plant costs 25-40 rubles. To save money, many gardeners grow them below and then transplant them to the roof. Flower growers note that it is better to grow sedums not from seeds, but from cuttings: cut off the branches and immediately plant them in the ground.

An even simpler option is moss. It is known that it can even grow on rocks. This is a resilient plant, perhaps the most suitable option for those regions where winter lasts nine months.

Installation cost

Price per square meter The design of a Norwegian roof depends on many factors, including the type of roof landscaping. Protection (hydro-, steam-, thermal insulation), drainage and filter layer will cost approximately 10 euros per sq.m. The substrate costs about 11 euros, plants – 10 EUR. On average, extensive landscaping per 1 sq. m will cost from 30 European “money”, for intensive landscaping you will pay from 50 euros per sq.m.

Domestic experience

Not only summer residents have been interested in installing Scandinavian roofs in Russia for decades. Back in 2000, standard landscaping solutions were developed flat roofs. Moskomarkhitektura, with the support of the Moscow Government, even issued recommendations for the design and improvement of such coatings for residential and public buildings. But it was already stipulated there that roof gardens can be installed only on a limited number of objects. That is, in other words, this pleasure is not for mere mortals.

And yet many summer residents dared to implement bold idea. Others, after a grueling struggle for the life (and happiness!) of plants, gave up. But someone did very well...

Thus, one summer resident near Moscow built a real “Hobbit house” on his property. When calculating loads I studied different variants frame structure. I was guided in my choice by two criteria: low cost and ease of installation. As a result, the owner settled on a round metal frame, covered with waterproof plywood.

Not bad, right?

The story of a resident of St. Petersburg is known (as is known, this city differs from Moscow in an even harsher climate). Once upon a time, Alla Sokol became interested in the overseas project “Feed Yourself”: she watched a program where they talked about growing on the roof ornamental plants and vegetables. Back in the 1990s, she, a pioneer of urban gardening, began landscaping apartment buildings with volunteers. It started, as usual, with own roof. I just sowed greens. And then... Over the many years of gardening, I have tried everything. Well, except that I didn’t grow potatoes!

In 2002, the hobby had already grown into a whole project “Urban Minifarm”, which was financed by the charitable “Gagarin Fund”. Gardeners themselves prepared biosoil from peat and made vermicompost. They proved that it is possible to grow vegetables, seedlings for sale, and flower seedlings on the roof...

In the process of their work, Alla Sokol’s associates made another important discovery. The areas of the roof that were under the “green” cover were preserved better than those that were “bare.” There were no cracks on them: the film on which the lawn was located protected the roof from drying out...

By the way, you can read more about Alla Sokol and her experiments.

We still haven't convinced you that a green roof is worth your attention? Then - another example. The Russian architect Igor Firsov built a very original house for himself. The building is located on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, 140 km from St. Petersburg.

The hand-built log house was made from rounded logs. The architect laid out the rafter system like a fan. The result is an unusual construction, which the author calls the “canonical hyperboloid”. Small house of 60 sq. m harmoniously fit into the landscape, which is called “northern”: with ship pines, gray boulders and crystal clean air. The cottage seemed to have grown up in the midst of this wild splendor...

The “green” roof only enhances the impression. For its construction, the architect used a special flooring made of logs. He was laid on top of a wooden rafter system. Then came this “pie”: three-layer waterproofing, 10 cm thick insulation, expanded clay, geotextile material, soil and grass. To prevent the soil from sliding down, stones were laid along the perimeter of the roof. The edges of the grass roof are lowered - this allows excess moisture to drain.

By the way, to collect rainwater, Igor Firsov came up with an equally beautiful structure - he walled up a plastic barrel with a tap in stones. The sloping roof also makes it easy to climb onto it if the need arises. And to make this easier, on one side of the house there is another clever design in the form of a stone staircase. And how beautiful it must be for rainwater to flow from the roof along this cascade!

Alternative solutions

What about those who do not want to tinker with a complex structure, but still want to make their roof “green”? There are several simpler solutions.

The easiest thing is to place plants in pots with soil substrate on a flat roof. In the summer you can enjoy the mini-garden, but in the winter it is removed indoors.
Grass can be grown on the roof in temporary trays. In November you put the tapes away and put them out again in the spring...
Greenhouses can be installed on a flat roof. They will become peculiar winter gardens. By the way, according to research, roofs with greenhouses protect the house well from overheating - they take away excess heat.

Finally one more interesting option, which has already been partially mentioned, is moss. Surely, many summer residents have noticed how this velvety plant eventually settles on tiled roofs. And I’ve already tried more than one various ways fight against the green scourge. But why not look at the problem differently?..

Agree - moss on the roof makes the house more romantic and colorful. But how to grow moss if you don’t wait for nature to take its course? There are many ways. We will talk about the most unusual thing - painting with moss.

For three handfuls of moss you will need 2 tsp. hydrogel (sold in flower shops, it absorbs well, but also releases water), water, kefir. Mix all ingredients in a blender and pour into a bucket. Then apply to the surface (roofs, walls, fences, etc.) using a brush or spray bottle. All! All you have to do is water once a week.

Summer residents note that moss grows especially well on the north side of the house. It’s not for nothing that in childhood we were taught to look for the north in the forest along the side of the trees overgrown with moss! To prevent this plant from drying out in the summer, it is better to plant it on the south side of buildings. tall trees. Keep in mind: as moss grows, it regularly blocks gutters. This can be avoided by using wider drains (up to 125 mm).

The hassle of installing turf roofs still doesn't scare you? Then in the next issue we will tell you about technologies for installing a “green” roof, how to calculate roof loads, and much more...

Under the term " green roof"It is customary to understand the roof of a building or structure on which specially planted vegetation is located.

Advantages of a green roof:

Protects buildings from overheating
Reduces air temperature in cities in the summer (on average, up to 1 0 C);
Provides oxygen supply;
Reduces overall background noise from 2 to 10 dB;
Eliminates the rapid spread of fire along the roof surface during fires;
Allows rational use of available space;
Additional layers reliably protect waterproofing from accidental mechanical damage;
Reduces air pollution.

The downside is the increased cost.

Green roofs are a type of roof that is in use.

By exploitation it is meant that the roof, in addition to its main construction functions, is also used for some useful purposes for humans. For example, it is a resting place with installed benches, flower beds, barbecue facilities, a swimming pool, and a fountain. Or it serves as an observation deck, parking for cars or even for a helicopter.

Structurally, green roofing is usually performed on an ordinary, flat roof. In some cases, it is possible to install a “green” signal on pitched roofs, but with an inclination angle of no more than 35 degrees. When installing a “green” roof, Special attention You need to pay attention to the exceptional reliability of the material used for waterproofing. The wrong choice or failure to comply with the technology can be a fatal mistake, which will entail significant financial costs for repairs.

An enlarged green roof can be imagined as consisting of two components: parts:

flat roof - let's call it the base for the green part;
the actual “green” part.

Options for the first part ( flat roof) are described in detail in our article.

There are several options for the second, green part.

Which one should be preferred depends on the climate, as this affects the amount and frequency of precipitation, and on the type of vegetation, since different plants require different amounts of moisture and also have various sizes root systems.

The green part options differ from each other in the following parameters:

the presence of certain technological layers in its composition;
order of layers;
layer capacity (ability to hold different amounts of moisture);
"brand" of materials used for these layers.

For example, let’s consider the simplest version of the “pie” of all two parts of the “green roof”.

Roof type: classic, insulated, soft.

The roof is in use, i.e. There is supposed to be a lawn on it for seeding with grass.

Explanations for non-specialists:

The following sequence (from bottom to top) is usually called a classic pie:

Roof base.
Vapor barrier layer.
Insulation layer.
Slope-forming layer
Waterproofing layer.

This is not a classic pie inversion. It differs from the one described above in the location of the insulation relative to the waterproofing. You can read more about inversion cake in our article.

Therefore, in all our interpretations of exploited roofs, this pie same for all options further finishing coating, including “green”. We make deviations only at the request of the customer.

Typical layers of the “green” part of a roof with landscaping are (from bottom to top):

Root protective film
Drainage membrane.
Separating layer made of nonwoven material- layer of geotextile.
Layer of soil for green spaces (prepared)
Lawn, meadow grasses, bushes, trees

Let's take a closer look at their functions.

Soil layer- nutrient medium for plants. For different plants different.

A separating layer of geotextile prevents soil from penetrating into the lower layers and being washed out over time. The material is synthetic and does not rot.

Drainage membrane- creates a gap between the soil layer and the waterproofing layer, thereby providing conditions for the free flow of water to the elements of the drainage system (funnels, scuppers). The design of the membrane allows some of the water to be retained and nourish the plants. Membranes differ from each other in this parameter. For different types plants need membranes with different “capacities”.

Root protective film- prevents plant roots from destroying the waterproofing over time. Eat waterproofing membranes, which is not afraid of roots. But it won’t be superfluous to put the film on.

Examples of green roofs

Since any roof in use usually has several additional layers on top of the waterproofing layer, if problems with leaks arise, repairing such a roof turns into a rather troublesome and costly matter. Therefore, for roofs in use it is very important to use reliable and high-quality waterproofing materials. The most reliable material today is Resitrix (Resitrix, Germany). To be convinced of this, it is enough to hold a piece of it in your hands. None of the materials existing on the roofing market has such a thickness of 3.1 mm!

Roofing of any type and purpose completed by Resitrix is a task solved once and for a lifetime.

Today there is an alternative system of maintained (green) roofs. This is the so-called “false floor” system. Its essence is that the system is entirely mounted on adjustable supports.

The advantages of this system are as follows:

Lightweight design for extensive landscaping. Light weight per base
Modularity and readiness of units and solutions. Combination of different types of coatings
High speed of work
Possibility of laying communications. Water, electricity, etc.
Possibility to change places different coatings. Quick disassembly if necessary
Absolutely quick drying of surfaces after rain

Our company installs flat roofs of any purpose and type.

Operated roofs
Flat roofs
Green roofs
Ballast roofs
Inversion roofs
Waterproofing terraces
Waterproofing balconies

Owners of private houses are paying more and more attention to the issue of environmental friendliness of future construction. An original and aesthetic solution would be to choose a green roof. This type roofing Previously used in countries with warm climates. But now it has become a trend and is used to create cozy places, where you can relax and enjoy clean air. Many people are interested in the question of how to make an environmentally friendly and aesthetic roof with their own hands.

Advantages:

Environmental friendliness. The green coating will saturate the air with oxygen.
Noise insulation. Thanks to a thick layer of roofing, a green roof will protect against possible noise.
Thermal insulation.
The area will be noticeably less dusty.
A green roof will protect roofing pie from damage.
Unusual appearance.

At the moment, green roofs are divided into two types:

Extensive. Choosing this type will be optimal for cases where there is a need to reduce time and effort when caring for the roof. The roof slope for such a system should be no more than 45 degrees. Suitable for places where there are no roof exits: for example, industrial facilities, shopping centers, terraces, garages, gazebos, bus stops.

Suitable for installing such a roof perennials different varieties, which are unpretentious in care - no frequent watering or haircut is required. It is important that these plants tolerate winter well.

Intensive. The advantage of this type is the possibility of operation. Can be used for any buildings. It is most popular when organizing the roof of a private house. For such a roof it is necessary to lay paths. The presence of trees and shrubs is also welcome; you can organize a whole garden on the roof, providing it with lighting and watering. You can also leave space for multi-tiered flower beds, alpine slides and ponds.

An intensive green roof will not only allow you to take a break from the hot weather in the shade of the garden, but will also lower the temperature in the room. A layer of soil and greenery will provide protection from the scorching sun. You can place furniture on the roof: chairs, tables, chaise lounge.

During installation green roof We must not forget about some requirements:

Ensuring safe operation. To do this, it is necessary to provide parapets and fences with a height of at least 120 centimeters. They must support the weight of the people on it. It is important to provide for the installation of special fortifications and wind shields.
Environmentally friendly materials should be selected.
It is important to protect the supporting structure from damage due to corrosion or mold.
It is necessary to provide insulation for plant roots.
Do not exceed the limits of the load on the supporting system. Both static and dynamic loads should be taken into account.
When arranging utility rooms, for example, to store equipment, their weight should be taken into account when calculating.

It is better to decide on the type of roof when drawing up a house project in order to make all the necessary load calculations at the planning stage. This should be done to avoid the formation of cracks in supporting structures. If this is not possible, then when organizing a green roof it is still necessary to make calculations to ensure the strength of the structure. If it is not enough, then before installing the roof load-bearing structure better to strengthen it.

DIY roof landscaping

It is worth noting that container gardening, where plants are placed in pots or boxes, has nothing in common with a green roof.

To green a roof using the extensive method, you need to pay attention to several factors: stability, strength and condition of the roof. The possible thickness of the soil is calculated based on the strength of the floor. The choice of plants will depend on this, because they also have weight. Best suited for these purposes reinforced concrete structure. It will make it possible not only to create soil depth of 40-50 centimeters, but also to plant shrubs and trees. If you are not sure of the strength of your roof, then you should think about organizing a “carpet” containing various cleaning, saxifrage and juveniles. The soil layer can be 5 centimeters.

Layers of a green roof

Waterproofing.

Caring for plants involves using water and watering the plants. But such maintenance of a green roof can be harmful to the roof structure. To avoid this, use a waterproofing layer, which is used as plastic film, liquid rubber, polymer membranes, etc. For correct device For waterproofing, it is laid on the existing roof covering. If it is not there, then it is necessary to ensure the presence of a continuous sheathing.

Root barrier

Placed on top of the waterproofing layer to provide protection from germinating roots. Foil or polymer film is suitable as such a barrier. You can use special waterproofing that has anti-root additives. They do not allow the root to grow into the material, damaging it. A root barrier may not be needed if you have chosen a groundcover type as the plants to sow: for example, sedum or lawn grass.

Drainage layer

Drainage allows water to be distributed over the surface. At the same time, it retains part of the water, and excess moisture directs to the drain. For sloping roofs, the issue of water drainage is solved naturally - only holes are provided at the corners of the roof. For a flat roof everything is more complicated. Before installing waterproofing, the surface should be profiled to prevent water stagnation. The lower drainage can be expanded clay of medium and large fractions. You can use special artificial mats. They provide excellent moisture retention for plants without interfering with the flow of excess water into the drain. An example is geomats. They are a coarse washcloth consisting of plastic flexible mesh grids.

Filtration layer

Its purpose is to protect the drainage from blockages. It is able to retain unwanted precipitation coming from the ground. Geotextiles are the most common material for the filtration layer. The geotextile helps avoid soil and drainage mixing that can occur over time.

Geogrid

It is used only for flat roofs with a slope of more than 25 degrees, because it is necessary to fix the soil to prevent it from sliding. The geogrid is lightweight. Externally, it looks like a cellular plastic structure. At small slopes roofs usually cost wooden partitions. They can be used as an aesthetic addition by laying them out in a geometric pattern. It is also necessary to provide wooden edges around the perimeter to provide a fastening edge.

Fertile substrate

The thickness of the soil layer depends on the choice of the type of plants planted on the roof. For example, lawn grass and ground cover types will grow comfortably in soil thicknesses of 5-10 centimeters. If you set out to grow a full-fledged garden on the roof, then you need to provide a soil layer of 1 meter. There are a number of requirements for soils. Light in weight, medium in mechanical composition, porous, moisture-absorbing, with neutral peat, which is filled with fertilizers or mixed with fine expanded clay, are suitable. Provided that the structure of the floors is strong enough, use light soil, adding expanded clay (15-20%) to it. To plant the clearings, you need to take 1 part sand and 3 parts peat. In case of sodding of the roof upper layer substrate is mixed with lawn grass seeds.

Plant selection

Criteria:

small root system;
frost and drought resistance;
resistance to temperature changes;
not requiring careful maintenance.

Most often, saxifrage, thyme, sage, young, rough cotula, small-bulbous flowers, etc. are used for roof landscaping. You can also use moss and lichen, provided that the house is in the shade.

For a roof with a turf base, it is better to use dwarf or creeping shrubs and trees, unpretentious herbs and vines and plants densely covering the soil. Thanks to small bunched daffodils, crocuses, scylla and muscara, you can provide landscaping in the spring.