Low Pitch Green Roof

Most vegetation will grow on quite sever slopes but the designer must consider the practicalities of installing the green roof and just as importantly how the roof is to be maintained.

Low pitch green roof.

Moreover low slope metal roofs are not prone to the degradation experienced by organic materials enabling these roofs to better resist the elements. It is the task of the designer to make adjustments in the green roof system accordingly e g. Sloped roofs retain less water in general and the moisture content varies from the ridge to the eave lowest edge of the roof. The most crucial component of any sloped green roof is the confinement system which holds the growth medium in place during the roof s early stages of development.

Drainage thickness of growing media plant varieties etc. If not properly secured a pitched vegetated roof can erode and slip under heavy rain excessive irrigation or poor plant growth. For a green roof installation that pitch should be at least inch per foot of run. Above 5 degrees roofs are considered to have a pitch which may affect the design.

Even a flat roof should have some pitch so that it sheds water toward gutters. Before the plants go up a structural engineer should check to ensure that the roof can support the weight of the engineered growing medium and plants.