There are many environmental benefits to getting green roof systems Philadelphia. It is a system that allows for a real rooftop garden to be created on top of a building that people can walk on and enjoy. These may be grass, plants, flowers or plants arranged for use or just to green the area. They should be able to withstand the local climate and are available at varying levels of maintenance.

The usual system is built directly on the existing black top. The initial layer is put down to protect it and prevent any water damage. After the waterproofing layer, the drainage layer is put in place. This is usually made from recycled materials. The last two layers are the plants and a medium to facilitate their growth. Root retention and irrigation are optional.

The irrigation system is more for convenience than necessity. Root retention becomes important based on what is being grown. Typically low growing plants are used that do not require a lot of soil and are easy to maintain. When planting trees and vegetables, root retention becomes a concern. These gardens require deeper soil and much more work.

Help on what plants to use in the garden can be found at the local nursery. The staff there will know what plants are hardy and easily grown. They will also be able to state the best choices for resisting local pests and how to prevent disease.

There is a system that is modular, where containers are used with all the necessary layers already in the container instead of the garden being built directly on the black top. This makes it easy to make changes. The plants can change or the garden rearranged to a new design. Maintaining it is easier and repairing any area is as simple as removing it then putting it back. With a garden built the area would have to be dug up the replaced. In the pre-planted system the plants can be grown before being installed.

Getting a system installed protects and insulates. This means an extended lifetime for the original surface and energy savings as well. The rooms below will not need to be cooled or heated as much. The savings is often from 25 to 50 percent less. Installing a rooftop garden increases property resale value.

Some of the benefits of having green roof systems Philadelphia are the reduction in water run off. The water can be collected and used to water the plantings or used inside the building. The carbon dioxide is filtered and pollution is reduced. There is also more oxygen produced. The collection of buildings with black top in the city creates a heat island that makes the city temperature rise up to ten degrees. The more building that get green roofs the more the temperature reduces.

green roof systems Philadelphia

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