Bringing Nature Back to the City, Commercial Roofers Double as Gardeners?
Article by John W. Smith
As cities grow and nature dissolves into layers of tar, people are beginning to explore how to incorporate nature into their urban surroundings. The roof garden is an innovative concept, which harkens back to the Gardens of Babylon. Imagine looking down from your apartment window to only see colorful gardens over the normally dusty city. Roof gardens can serve to insulate housing, raise eco-awareness and make urban areas healthier places to live. They have become an in-demand product from roofing contractors, some of whom are dedicated to creating exquisite and immaculate roof gardens. Europe is at the forefront of the roof gardening movement. For example, in Germany roof gardens are required to keep water from evaporating. Roof gardens come in a myriad of types and styles, this article will explore three common variations:
Extensive Roof Garden: A Coach Level Seat
Roofing contractors find that the easiest type of roof garden to build and maintain is the extensive roof garden. They are lightweight and can be placed on sheds, garages and other areas of the home. They don’t look as beautiful or intricate as other roof gardens, but they are a good first step for a beginning enthusiast. Extensive roof gardens can grow lichens, mosses and other symbiotic organisms. Unless the house is located in an arid region, rainwater is all that is required to maintain this time of roof garden.
Semi-extensive Roof Garden: Flying Business Class
If homeowners want to a roof garden, which can support more intricate forms of plant life without paying too much attention, then they have the option of a semi-extensive roof garden. Semi-extensive roof gardens require deep soil, which allows it to support a large variety of plants. High water capacity plants, such as sedums, do not have to be watered and looked after constantly- as long as there isn’t a drought.
Intensive Roof Garden: The VIP of Roof Gardening
This is the Versailles of roof gardening. An intensive roof garden is not compatible with every home; they tend to do well on flat concrete roofs. Seeing an intensive roof garden is a remarkable sight, much like walking into an elaborate garden. A homeowner can actually put a beautiful oasis of trees, flowers and plants in an intensive roof garden. Roofing contractors say that as long as the roof can support it, an intensive roof garden can hold it. The sky is definitely the limit with an intensive roof garden.
About the Author
A-1 Roofing Co. is a sheet metal and roofing contractor that has been serving the Chicagoland area since 1910. A-1 Roofing Co. takes a professional approach to the installation, maintenance and repair of industrial and commercial roofing systems. Their service is marked by quality workmanship and personal attention to detail.
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