M.E.

(CIVIL)
Construction & Management
Seminar - I

Report On

“The Power of Green Roofs in Sustainable Buildings”

Submitted to the Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune
In partial fulfillment of the requirement of Master Degree in Civil

Engineering M.E. (CIVIL) Construction & Management

Submitted By

Ms. Utkarsha Kulhare

Guided by
Mrs. Sneha K. Sawant

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

D Y PATIL COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, AKURDI, PUNE

SAVITRIBAI PHULE PUNE UNIVERSITY, PUNE 2022-2023

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 D.Y. Patil College of Engineering
Akurdi, Pune -44, India

Examination Approval Sheet

The Seminar I Report entitled

“The Power of Green Roofs in Sustainable Buildings”

By

Ms. UTKARSHA KULHARE

Is approved for the First Year M.E.(CIVIL) Construction & Management

under Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune

Examiners:

1. Internal Examiner:

2. External Examiner:

3. PG Coordinator:

4. Head of Department:

Date: / / 2023

ii

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 D. Y. PATIL COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, AKURDI, PUNE-44
(SAVITRIBAI PHULE PUNE UNIVERSITY, PUNE)

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the following student has satisfactorily carried out the ME (CIVIL)
Construction & Management Seminar I work entitled “The Power of Green Roofs in
Sustainable Buildings” This work is being submitted for the partial fulfillment of the
prescribed syllabus of First Year Construction & Management under Savitribai Phule Pune
University, Pune for the academic year 2022– 2023.

Mrs. UTKARSHA KULHARE

Mrs. Sneha K. Sawant Dr. Ashwini R. Patil

(Guided by) (PG Coordinator)

Dr. Ashok B More Dr. Mrs. P Malathi

HOD Civil (Principal)

Date: / / 2023

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 D Y PATIL COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, AKURDI,

PUNE-44

Declaration by the Student

Date: / / 2023

Title of the Seminar: “The Power of Green Roofs in Sustainable Buildings”

I, Ms. Utkarsha Kulhare have completed Seminar I report entitled “The Power of Green
Roofs in Sustainable Buildings” in all respect. I hereby take full responsibility of the
result of the research work and hereby assure that the information given is true to the best
of my knowledge and belief. I hereby assure that this work is free from plagiarism and
wherever any previous research work is referenced, it is so mentioned in the text. I
understand that any violation of the above will be cause for disciplinary / penal action by
D.Y. Patil College of Engineering, Savitribai Phule Pune University and from the sources
which have thus not been properly cited or from whom proper permission has not been
taken when needed.

Signature of the Student:

Name of the Student: Ms Utkarsha Kulhare

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

It gives me pleasure in presenting my Seminar I report named The Power of Green Roofs in
Sustainable Buildings I take this opportunity to thank Mrs. Sneha K. Sawant my project
guide who has been a constant source of inspiration & also took keen interest in each and
every step of project development. I am also grateful for his encouragement in shaping the
ideas & valuable suggestions in making it a reality.

I take the opportunity to express my deep sense of gratitude to Mrs. Sneha K. Sawant for the
valuable guidance & also all teaching and non-teaching staff members who have helped us
directly or indirectly.

Ms. Utkarsha Kulhare

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 CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION 8

1.1 Introduction 8

2. LITRATURE REVIEW 11

3. OVERVIEW 11

3.1 Definition 11

3.2 Categories 12

3.3 History 13

3.4 Benefits 14

3. METHODS 15

4.1 Modular 15

4.2 Mats 16

4.3 Built up 16

4 LAYERS OF GREEN ROOF 16

5.1 Roof construction 16

5.2 Water proofing Layer 16

5.3 Protection and Storage Layer 16

5.4 Drainage Layer 16

5.5 Filtration Layer 17

5.6 Vegetation 17

6 CHARACTERISTICS 18

7 GENERAL CALCULATION 18

7.1 USES 18

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8 ROOF CONSTRUCTION 19

8.1 Roofs without thermal insulation 19

8.2 Roofs with thermal insulation 19

9 GREEN ROOF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION 20

9.1 Green Roof Design 20

9.2 Installation Process 20

9.3 Green Roof effecting Installation 21

10 PRECAUTIONS 22

10.1 Waterproofing Integrity 22

10.2 Pesticide Leakage from Roof Materials 22

10.3 Additional Support Considerations 22

10.4 Unwelcome Wildlife Program 22

11 MAINTAINCE 23

12 ADVANTAGES 23

13 DISADVANTAGES 24

14 CONCLUSION 25

15 REFRENCES 26

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 INTRODUCTION
Green or planted roofs are a type of roof construction which in their simplest form have
existed for thousands of years in many different regions of the world. Their role in improving
internal comfort conditions was the main advantage in installing such a roof type during
times when natural materials were the only available type of building fabric. In cold climates
they contributed to thermal insulation of the roof, while in warm climates they protected the
roof from overheating due to their increased solar exposure in summer.

Although this climate-dependent behaviour is still one of the reasons for green roof
installations, their role as urban ecosystems has been expanded to include other significant
characteristics that in many cases seem to be more valuable than the improvement of thermal
comfort, such as their environmental benefits.
Until recently, the numerous advantages of green roofs had a qualitative rather than
quantitative character, since the scientific research in this field was very limited. In most
cases, the existence of plants on the top of a building was regarded as an environmentally
friendly construction with a generally positive contribution to the building’s energy
efficiency. For most building scientists, the extra soil layer on the top of the roof was
considered to be simply an additional insulation layer which in the worst case could not
increase thermal losses in winter and would shade the conventional construction layers in
summer, offering protection from overheating due to solar radiation. For environmental
scientists, the benefits of such a construction were regarded as being similar to all the benefits
that vegetation can offer.
During the past few years, a lot of research on green roofs has been done or is still in progress.
Literature reports a relatively large number of experiments and computer models that aim to
investigate the behaviour of green roofs as an integrated building or environmental system.
During the same period, a variety of green roof types were constructed in many cities
worldwide that gave the opportunity to monitor their behaviour in actual conditions and to
evaluate their behaviour in comparison with conventional roof constructions. Recently the
findings of this research started to take the form of guidelines and policies in many cities, in
order to support the exploitation of green roofs in the most efficient way.

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The purpose of this chapter is to review the knowledge gained in recent years in order
to present the state of the latest green roof technology.

The broader environmental benefits of green roofs are well-tested and becoming better
known. Green roofs make buildings more thermally efficient, prolong the life of a
roof,ameliorate the extremes of temperature and humidity, moderate surface water run-off,
help to reduce air pollution and noise and provide green space for people and wildlife. In
addition, the vegetation that green roofs provide within an otherwise Grey urban setting may
have psychological benefits for people who overlook them. All this suggests that green roofs
have the potential to play a significant part in improving the quality of urban life. Green roofs,
vegetated facades, nest boxes, voids and various other features) can support range of plants
and animals. Indeed, building-integrated habitat may come to play an important role in the
conservation of urban biodiversity. In towns and cities, where open land is particularly scarce,
and where market forces and policies favour re-development, maintaining and creating the
natural green space on which wildlife depends is particularly challenging. In the modern
cityscape, brownfield sites are of special note for they are often of significant biodiversity
interest. As the majority of vacant urban sites will be subject to redevelopment pressure, the
task of meeting biodiversity conservation objectives in towns and cities becomes ever more
difficult. It will increasingly require new approaches and innovative techniques.

Multi-functional environmental design can ensure that elements on, in and around buildings
serve several purposes. A roof or external wall can be more than just a weather-proof surface
or structural element - it can be part of a living, cooling, cleansing skin. Recent experience
with a wide range of projects shows that what would normally be a relatively sterile feature
on a conventional structure can become a valuable wildlife habitat. This report reviews
existing green roof practice and focuses on its value for biodiversity, particularly in the urban
context.

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 Figure 1 Multifunctional Urban Design

2. Literature Review
 Muhammad Ishaq and Muhammad Zafarullah (2021)
The paper discusses the components of green roofs, the benefits and limitations of green
roofs, and the trends in green roof research. The authors conclude that green roofs can
provide a range of benefits, including reducing the urban heat island effect, improving air
quality, and reducing storm water runoff.

 M. A. H. Alkass and A. A. Alshawabkeh (2020)

The paper discusses an experiment on the impact of green roof design on thermal
performance in buildings. The authors found that green roofs can help to reduce the amount
of heat that is absorbed by buildings, and can improve the energy efficiency of buildings.
They also found that the design of the green roof, including the type of plants used and the
thickness of the substrate, can affect its thermal performance.

 S. F. M. F. Ferreira, L. C. R. Vieira, and F. A. B. Branco (2018)

The paper discusses an experimental study of the thermal performance of green roofs in a hot
and humid climate. The authors found that green roofs can significantly reduce the thermal
loads on buildings, and can help to reduce the energy consumption of air conditioning
systems. They also found that the effectiveness of green roofs in reducing the thermal loads
on buildings depends on factors such as the thickness of the substrate, the type of plants used,
and the amount of irrigation.

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 J. L. C. Silva, A. M. R. F. Santos, and F. A. B. Branco (2020)
The paper discusses the use of recycled materials in green roofs as an innovative idea for
sustainable building practices. The authors found that the use of recycled materials in green
roofs can provide a range of benefits, such as reducing waste and promoting the circular
economy. They also found that the effectiveness of green roofs with recycled materials
depends on factors such as the type of recycled materials used, the thickness of the substrate,
and the amount of irrigation.

 S. R. K. Reddy and S. K. Singh (2019)

The paper discusses the current status and future prospects of green roofs in India. The
authors found that green roofs are still a relatively new concept in India, but there is growing
interest in the use of green roofs as a sustainable building practice. They also found that the
effectiveness of green roofs in India depends on factors such as the climate, the availability of
water, and the cost of materials. Additionally, they discuss how green roofs can help to
mitigate the effects of climate change, improve air quality, and reduce energy consumption.

3. Overview
3.1 Definitions
The term green roof is used here to describe both intensive ornamental roof gardens and
extensive roofs with more naturalistic plantings or self-established vegetation. It has defined
a roof garden as an area of usually ornamental planting with a substrate isolated from the
natural ground by a man-made structure of at least one storey. We extend that definition to
roofs that have been initially planted and/or sown, as well as those that have been allowed to
colonise and develop naturally. They do not necessarily have to be ornamental in function.
Eco roof is a term usually used to describe a naturalistic extensive green roof (see‘Categories
of Green Roof’ below for explanation of extensive and intensive). The term spontaneous
green roof is used to describe a roof covered with self-established
vegetation. When the exterior walls (facades) of buildings are vegetated they are known as
green facades. Masonry may become colonised by lichens, mosses, grasses and flowering
plants that in nature grow on cliffs and rocky outcrops. Climbing plants may grow directly
against the building fabric or may climb trellis work. Geo textile blankets may be attached to
walls and seeded with moss or Sedum. It is even possible to grow reed beds in fabric pockets
attached to walls.

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Earth-sheltered structures are set into the ground, with a continuous earth cover replacing
atleast part of what would be the walls and roof of a conventional building. Such buildings
are usually well vegetated and blend well with the landscape and are usually associated with
rural locations. Earth-sheltering is outside of the scope of this report. Where vegetation is
deliberately planted, seeded or encouraged to establish itself on buildings, whether it be on
the roof or on the exterior walls, we suggest the use of the term building-integrated
vegetation.
Building-integrated habitat is a term we suggest to describe any deliberately established
habitat on buildings, including substrates, vegetation, perches, artificial roost and nesting
containers, boxes and voids. On brown roofs the intention is to allow ruderal vegetation
(vegetation associated with disturbed sites) to colonise low fertility substrates like those
found in the rubble of demolished buildings.

3.2 Categories of green roof

The German Landscape Development Research Society (FLL) has identified three categories
of green roof on the basis of use, construction method and maintenance requirements
(FLL1995). These classifications may not always be clear cut - intermediate or mixed types
of green roof are possible.

The three types are:

 intensive;
 simple intensive;
 extensive.

Intensive green roofs are usually referred to as roof gardens. They are equivalent to gardens
or parks at ground level. They may include lawns, beds, shrubs and tree plantings - even
water features. They are usually constructed over reinforced concrete decks and are normally
accessible. They require frequent maintenance including irrigation, fertilizing and weeding.
With deep soil layers, planters and other installations, this type of green roof has the highest
demands on building structure and is the most expensive to build and maintain - although it
will usually form a very small part of the overall cost of the (usually substantial) development
that it is associated with.

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Simple intensive green roofs are vegetated with lawns or ground covering plants. This
vegetation requires regular maintenance, including irrigation, feeding and cutting. Demands
on building structure are moderate and this type of roof is less expensive to build than
intensive green roofs but more expensive and complex than extensive green roofs. They are
occasionally accessible, though more often designed to be overlooked.

Extensive green roofs require minimal maintenance and are not irrigated (except in some
cases during establishment). Vegetation normally consists of mosses, succulents, herbs or
grasses and is intended to be self-sustaining. There is often an emphasis on the use of native
species and ecological objectives. This type of roof is not normally designed to be accessible,
except for maintenance, and may be flat or sloping. If a typically thin substrate is used it is
the least demanding in terms of building structure and the least costly to build and maintain.
Extensive roof systems would usually represent an increase in the initial cost of roofing for
small-scale developments. However they would not normally form a significant part of the
overall cost of a large commercial or industrial development. Although there are currently no
examples on buildings, extensive green roofs could include woodlands if sufficient depths of
soil were provided.

3.3 History of green roofs

History of green roofs Green (vegetated) roofs have been in existence since ancient times.
“The first known historical references to man made gardens above grade were the ziggurat
(stone pyramidal stepped towers) of ancient Mesopotamia, built from the fourth millennium
until around 600 B.C.” In France, gardens planted in the 13thCentury thrive atop a
Benedictine abbey. Norwegians developed sod roofs centuries ago as a means of thermally
insulating their buildings. In fact, sod homes are still used as protection against extremely
cold winters in Norway and the United States. Five roof gardens were installed atop the
seventh floor of the Rockefeller Center in New York City, New York, between1933 and 1936.
Designed to be „view scopes‟ for the enjoyment of skyscraper tenants (at higher rents, of
course), these gardens continue enhancing the view in New York City.

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3.4 Benefits
The various benefits of green roofs have been discussed and they
summarized as follows:

Environment
 attenuation of storm water run-off
 run-off attenuation reduces sewer overflows
 option of cleaning and recycling gray water
 absorption of air pollutants and dust
 reduction in the 'urban heat island' effect
 increased humidity
 absorption of noise
 absorption of electromagnetic radiation
 helping to absorb greenhouse gases (particularly CO2) and giving off oxygen
 use of recycled materials

Ecology & Biodiversity

 provision of new wildlife habitat
 replacement of habitat lost through development
 provision of quiet refuges
 providing links or stepping stones in green space networks
 often only available green space in inner urban core

Amenity
 more options for designers
 hides gray and uniform roofing materials
 screens equipment
 attractive views of vegetation
 extension of park system
 provides gardens - more people space

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Health
 psychological benefits of contact with nature
 improved air quality – helps to reduce lung disease
 improved water quality

Building Fabric
 Protecting the roof from ultra violet radiation
 Protecting the roof from mechanical damage
 reducing diurnal/seasonal temperature changes in roof
 may improve thermal insulation 15

Economic
 extend roof life
 attract buyers/tenants
 may reduce water/sewer charges
 reduce heating and air conditioning costs
 use of recycled materials from site reduces costs

Education
 Green roofs can provide outdoor classrooms in inner city areas

These benefits are discussed in more detail in the chapters on construction, environment and
ecology.

4. METHODS OF GREEN ROOF

4.1 Modular
A modular system usually combines several of the green roof‟s layers into per-manufactured
and often per-planted systems that are placed directly on a roof that has been prepared with a
proper water proofing membrane. There are a number of manufacturers of green-roof
modules allowing for choices in size, weight and plant variety. A modular green roof allows
for fairly easy alterations and additions, instant green and easy access to the roof surface
below.

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4.2 Mats
Like the modular systems described above, the mat method uses green roof plantings grown
off site and later installed on the green roof after proper waterproofing has occurred. Mats are
laid much like a carpet or grass sod. They are placed on the roof to provide complete
coverage, and often instant green. Over time, mats will grow together, seams will disappear,
and with proper care, a solid looking green roof will appear. Mats are frequently used on
extensive portions of a green roof.
4.3 Built-Up
This type of green roof allows for greater flexibility in design and plant choice. After
installing proper water proofing and root barriers and building the designed rooftop
infrastructure, such as planter boxes, irrigation, pathways, cisterns, and trellises, the planting
medium is spread on the roof, and then plants are added. This is often called “planting in
place.”

5. LAYERS OF GREEN ROOF

5.1 Roof construction

Can be constructed from wood, metal, concrete, plastic, gypsum, or composite. Concrete
decking will provide the most sturdy roof structure.

5.2 Water proofing Layer

To protect the building from water penetration. Some rubber and plastic sheet applied and
liquid-applied membranes meet these criteria.

5.3 Protection and storage layer

To protect the roof membrane from aggressive plant roofs.Mats with enhanced water storage
and capillarity are preferred for some green roof systems.

5.4 Drainage layer

To help the excess water from the growing medium to flow to the roof drain.

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5.5 Filtration membrane
Allows excess water from the growing medium to flow out, while preventing the fine
particles from washing away and clogging the roof drain.

5.6 Growing medium

Engineered soil: It must be lightweight, have good water storage characteristics,
cheap.Organic composts are also included in it.Natural soil: plants and insects adapt to it
easily.

5.7 Vegetation

 Minimal input plants should be selected (water, fertilizers, etc.) .

 Drought tolerant & cold tolerant.
 Resistant to pests.
 Low maintenance.
 Root systems should be shallow.

Figure 2 - Layer of green roof

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6. CHARACTERISTICS

 Plant communities
 Minimum maintenance required
 Adapted Supply of water and nutrients mostly by natural processes
 Shallow built up height
 Weight approximate 50-150

7. GENERAL CALCULATION FOR GREEN ROOF

Trees in Roof Gardens

When including trees in roof gardens the following key aspects should be considered.

 Provision of adequate soil volume for healthy growth and anchorage is critical. A simple
rule of thumb is that 1.2m soil depth should be provided, although smaller trees may
grow in shallower depths, provided that the lateral extent of soil is widened to
compensate.

 Soil depth may be locally deepened at tree locations (either by mounding the soil surface
or locally deepening the planter). Trees may be located over structural columns to take
advantage of loading efficiency.

 Tree anchoring may be by staking or tying down of the root ball but in all cases must not
interfere with the integrity of the waterproofing

7.1 USES OF GREEN ROOF

The primary functions a specific green roof is required to perform will have a profound effect
on its overall design. For example, a green roof designed to retain storm water may look very
different from one whose main purpose is to brighten a hospital courtyard. Along with the
question of aesthetics are inherent differences in the required depth of growing medium, the
ongoing maintenance program, and overall cost.

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This is not to say that a green roof designed to retain storm water cannot or should not also be
aesthetically pleasing. Indeed, it can be both, but limiting factors in the budget or the building
structure, among others, may concentrate the focus on one or another of these functions.

8. ROOF CONSTRUCTION

8.1. Roofs without thermal insulation

On roofs without thermal insulation, above non-heated rooms (e.g. garage roofs, porch roofs,
etc.) all types of Green Roof system build-ups are possible.

8.2. Roofs with thermal insulation

Depending on the roof construction, specific criteria are to be considered
when planning and installing a roof with thermal insulation. Generally, the installed the
Green Roof system build-up.

 Non ventilated roof ("warm roof"): Depending on the design load, different types of
Green Roofs are possible. A high-quality vapors barrier should be emphasized right from
the design or planning stage.
 Ventilated roof ("cold-roof"): The low load bearing capacity of the upper layer allows
for low weight Green Roof constructions. The cooling effect of the Green Roof system
build-.
 Inverted Roof: The up influences the aeration between the layers of the roof
construction thermal insulation for inverted roofs is installed above the waterproofing,
and therefore in an area with variable moisture levels. The sheets and layers used for the
Green Roof build-up must not prevent vapors diffusion processes from the insulation.
 Roof Slope -Using modern technologies it is possible to install a reliable Green Roof
system build up not only on conventional flat roofs, but also on saddle roofs, shed roofs
and barrel roofs. Special technical precautions for the mitigation of existing shear forces
and erosion are only necessary for a roof slope over 10°. Roofs with a slope of more than
45° are normally not suitable for a Green Roof system build-up. Roofs with a slope of
less than 2% are special roof constructions on which puddles often develop. In order to
avoid Extensive Green Roofs from being damaged by water retention, specific
arrangements for the roof drainage are necessary.

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9. GREEN ROOF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

9.1 Green Roof Design

Here are a few details about some of the most useful green roof designs:
 Roofs without any thermal insulation:This is the best choice to cover non-heated areas
of your property, like porch roofs and garage roofs.
 Roofs with thermal insulation:Green roofs are installed after proper examination of the
load-bearing ability of a traditional roof; thermal insulation roof installation can be done
on:
 Non-ventilated roofs:They are also known as warm roofs; for them, we need a very-
high-quality vapor barrier that is implemented right from the planning and design stage.
 Ventilated roofs:These roofs possess low weight-holding capacity, so we need to
design a lightweight green roof construction; the cooling effect of these cold roofs is
maintained with the help of specific layer construction.
 Inverted roof:Here the thermal insulation is installed directly above the waterproofing
layer; it contributes to the area with variable levels of moisture.
 DUO roofs: These roofs consist of additional thermal layers that work like an advanced
drainage mechanism.

9.2 Installation Process

 Correct and consistent installation process of the waterproofing layer and its compliance
with the project specification. Proper installation of irrigation systems and drip irrigation,
and matching their capacities and operating mode with the required parameters in
accordance with the provisions of the Green roof standards, called also Green roof Code,
that consist of special requirements for the device, and the rules of acceptance of control”.

 Quality control of the roofing and grating mounting processes. According to the map
have to be controlled. It should also be noted that the performance of work report of the
roofing system installation must be carried out in the general journal papers or special
journals of installation process on the forms that considered in Russian requirements.

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 To date the most widely accepted standard among the leading green roof suppliers is the
German FLL standards, the landscaping and landscape Development Research Society.
This standard is generally recognized as the benchmark for green roof installation quality.
According to the German FLL standard a successful green roof system must basically
replicate nature and consist of protection layer, drainage and filter layers, growing
medium, appropriate components for vegetation and irrigation.

 Big cities are adopting new building codes that incentive adoption of innovative
technologies in modern buildings. The green construction industry is moving fast,
together with a growing trend for Green Building Rating Tools. The green roof systems
that installed on different types of buildings can put you on the right track to earning the
highest BREEAM, LEED, DGNB or HQE certification ratings. Building certifications
such as LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) provide for certain tax
credits of green roof using and benefits for building owners. There are several trends in
development of friendly (green) technologies and production in construction in Russia,
which needed for development in National building Codes. The survey of green roof
module parameters shows that cooling electricity energy saving is around 12-15 kWh/m2.
It pursues sustainable performance objectives while giving substantial importance to the
life cycle analysis on a building scale and to the impacts of a project on health, comfort
and the environment by using green roofs.

9.3 Factors affecting green roof installation are:

 Vapor control layer that is placed directly above the roof structure.
 Rigid insulation of slab so that it can handle additional loads.
 Waterproof root barrier that must be created using specific materials such as
polyethylene, slate-surfaced type layers, bitumen, rubber mats, etc.
 Drainage layer must be capable of controlling rain water runoff.
 Filter layer must add proper prevention in terms of soil placement and drainage.
 Growing medium must be used as per the type of roof.
 Vegetation selection must be done as per the weight handling capacity of the roof

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10 PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN WHILE CONSTRUCTING
GREEN ROOF

10.1 Waterproofing Integrity

Every reputable roofing company will guarantee and provide a warranty for the
waterproofing integrity of their membrane(s), including green roofing providers. Water
leakage from drainage backups or possible root puncture could lead to interior damage if the
correct waterproofing membrane system, root barrier, and drainage layer are not selected. Of
course, when choosing a greenroom system and/or contractor, it is advisable to check
references on completed projects for waterproofing success. Vulnerable areas where leakage
is possible include abutting vertical walls, roof vent pipes, outlets, air conditioning units,
perimeter areas, etc.

10.2 Pesticide Leakage from Roof Materials

Recently, an environmental science magazine began testing drainage from green roofs in an
effort to measure any pesticide runoff. The potential does exist for certain elements, such as
iron and aluminum, to seep out and infiltrate our ground water. Care must be exercised in
selecting thick membranes to ensure no release of pollutants, and the materials used in
foundations and pathways on a green roof should not leach carbonates. This would also be a
good opportunity to choose green roofing companies who use environmentally friendly
roofing components.
10.3 Additional Support Considerations
For extensive and intensive green roofs with projected live loads of higher than 17 pounds
per square foot, consultation with a structural engineer is a requirement. Additional growing
media depths, large plants such as trees, walkways, seating areas, parking areas, etc. will
command greater structural support, and a greater layer build-up of the green roof system.

10.4 Unwelcome Wildlife Problems

I have had people ask be about the possibility of attracting rats, raccoon, squirrels, spiders
and the like with green roofs. Because of their watertight quality, I would suspect it would be
extremely difficult (or impossible) for these larger animals to enter a home through the roof.
But because a natural habitat is created, perhaps some undesirable critters would be invited,
and then their proximity might put off some folks.

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11. MAINTENANCE

Maintenance varies according to the type of system installed (intensive or extensive) and
primary purpose of the green roof (aesthetics, energy reduction, crop production).
 Weeding can be performed twice a year or once a week depending on how natural or
manicured the system is designed to be.
 If the green roof is placed on a sloping rooftop, materials may need to be positioned if
shifting occurs.
 Installed Irrigation system is optional but if desired, using drip irrigation or a sprinkler
system is common. Supplemental watering will be required during first 3 – 6 months of
establishment and then during extended periods of drought.
 Low rates of fertilizer can be used during the establishment period and later if plant
growth is not sufficient for coverage. Note that use of fertilizers may interfere with water
quality

12. ADVANTAGES

 Improve the drainage system - Sustainable drainage is an important component of any

building, as a way to counter flooding in the event of excess rainfall. Traditionally, a
network of pipes connected to the sewage system has helped control water. However, as
a result of increasing urban development, as much as 75% of water is running off into
urban areas.

 Increase the lifespan of the roof - A rooftop is continually under attack from the
elements and has plenty to cope with throughout the year. Not only will a roof need to
sufficiently deal with wind and rain, but ultraviolet light and fluctuating temperatures too.
As such, it‟s common for both homeowners and businesses to consider an alternative
option for the roof.

 Boosting thermal performance -Without doubt, one of a green roof‟s most beneficial
advantages is thermal performance and it‟s staggering just how much of a difference this
can make. One of the biggest problems facing a typical roof is poor insulation, leading to
substantial heat loss in winter and sweltering conditions over the summer months.

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 Helping out the environment-The release of carbon dioxide is one of the key
contributing factors to global warming and as such, the government has been charged
with meeting stringent EU targets by 2020. Green roofs are ideal for doing exactly this.
According to the UKQBC, 44% of total CO2 emissions are released from buildings. Both
air con and the generation of heat create CO2.

 Supporting wildlife habitats -Green roofs also help support wildlife and in turn, can
create a healthy habitat. Whilst they won‟t directly replace ground environments, they‟re
perfect for attracting birds and other wildlife to create a thriving eco-friendly habitat.
According to a survey in Switzerland, the study of 11 green rooftops found there to be an
incredible 172 separate species.

 Aiding air quality - Air pollution remains an important issue in the UK and staggeringly
there are some 24,000 who die from this every year. A green roof helps to improve the
overall air quality. According to a study, green roofs help reduce up to:
 37% of sulfur dioxide
 21% of nitro us acid
 0.2kg of dust particles / square meter each year

13. DISADVANTAGES

 A greater expense than traditional roofs - Unfortunately for green roofs, they do tend
to be slightly more expensive than the traditional option. One of the significant reasons
for this being the extra support required to handle the increased load. However, despite
the greater initial setback, over time these green roofs more than make up for the outlay.
When you consider the range of incredible benefits highlighted earlier, there should be
no reason to allow cost to play a determining role in your decision.

 An increase in weight load - There‟s no doubt about it, green roofs are heavier and as
such, require more structural support to be implemented. Typically, the addition of a
green roof will add between 50 and 200kg/meter squared to an existing rooftop.

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 Although some rooftops will need to be retrofitted to cope with the increase in load,
fortunately flat roofs are often able to handle this capacity.

 Require extra maintenance- There seems to be much debate as to the full extent of
maintenance required for a green roof, however what‟s clear is you‟ll need to do some
work to ensure it remains a thriving atmosphere.

14. CONCLUSION
It has been proven that green roof could provide numerous benefits to the environmental
performance of the building. However, in context of India, this is not commonly practice.
Therefore, a progressive effort should be induced among the India researchers to conduct
more research on green roof technology.
It is possible that the calculator we used to find the savings was not accurate. So using a more
detailed calculator or writing out the calculations would give an accurate measure of the
energy savings of a green roof with a smaller error percentage. Alternatively we could use a
different sized roof and/or use an extensive green roof instead, in order to decrease the
payback period.
Nowadays smart solutions of green roofs are becoming more and more popular in recent
times for their ecological, technical, economic benefits and aesthetic qualities. Successful
urban planning including network of natural and semi-natural areas that integrate green roof
systems into natural constructed urban environments. In the meantime, existing green roof
technologies can be expensive to purchase and labour-intensive to install. This research is
aimed to contribute to sustainable future-oriented solutions for the complex problems of
urban areas to create liveable ecosystems. Innovation technologies in green roof systems are
an emerging trend in green building development. Innovative energy-efficient green
technologies will bring a great benefit to the ecology and help to relief the Heat Island Effect,
in light of growing concerns about climate change and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).
Innovative modular green roofs refer to rejuvenate and rebuild the nature. Although this study
has made several advances in predicting benefits of green roof systems, and it has to move
further on work pertaining to green roofs, there are several areas that will require further
researching.

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