Green roofs, also known as green roofs, are a sustainable construction technique in which the surface of a building’s roof is covered with plants, vegetation and a special substrate. This creates an ecologically valuable environment that offers numerous ecological, aesthetic and functional benefits.

Types of green roofs:

1. Intensive green roof s: this type uses deeper substrates that allow a variety of plants, including trees and shrubs, to be planted. Intensive green roofs require more care and maintenance, but offer additional usage and design possibilities.
2. Extensive green roofs: Here, shallow substrates and thinner vegetation such as sedum, grasses and herbs are used. This type requires less maintenance and is well suited to easily accessible roofs.

Advantages of green roofs:

1. Environmental protection: green roofs contribute to air purification, increase biodiversity and serve as a habitat for birds and insects.
2. Energy efficiency: Green roofs provide excellent thermal insulation and reduce heat absorption, resulting in energy savings for the building.
3. Rainwater management: Green roofs absorb rainwater and reduce runoff, which reduces the risk of flooding and relieves the burden on wastewater treatment.
4. Noise protection: Green roofs can absorb noise from outside and reduce noise pollution in buildings.
5. Air quality: Plants on green roofs filter pollutants from the air and contribute to improving air quality.

Challenges of green roofs:

1. Cost: Installing a green roof can be expensive initially, but the long-term benefits in terms of energy savings and environmental protection can justify the cost.
2. Weight: Green roofs can be heavy, so it is important to ensure that the roof structure is strong enough to support the additional weight.
3. Maintenance: Even extensive green roofs require some maintenance, including watering, fertilization and occasional weed control.

Green roofs are a sustainable building practice that improves the urban environment, increases energy efficiency and creates habitat for nature. It is an example of integrating environmental awareness into urban planning and architecture, helping to create greener and more liveable cities.

A lot of other useful information is also available from the Bundesverband Gebäudegrün e.V.