Author |
Message |
SeanOChuinn Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 15 Nov 2015 Posts: 18 Location: Midlands
|
Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2016 10:24 am Post subject: Grass Roofs |
|
|
Hello all,
We're currently at the latter stages of our house design phase. We are trying our best to build a home that is passive and tries to not make a huge footprint in the earth. We have a portion of our house that contains a flat roof and we've been toying with idea of maybe using a grass roof in that roof.
We've read the online blurbs and the various advertising from the installers trying to sell their particular "product", but I'm curious to hear opinions, experiences, pros and cons etc. We love the idea of sustainability, longevity of roof, energy reduction etc. but we're not sure if its all worth it.
We do have a limited budget so this may not be financially possibly but we still have it as a romantic notion at least until the hard economics conversations start, so we'd love to try understand the whole idea a little better.
So what do people think???
Thanks.
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
tagwex Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood

Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Posts: 5188 Location: Co. Wexford
|
Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2016 10:34 am Post subject: |
|
|
A sedum roof?
_________________ “It’s my field. It’s my child. I nursed it. I nourished it. I saw to its every want. I dug the rocks out of it with my bare hands and I made a living thing of it!”
This boy can really sing http://youtu.be/Dgv78D2duBE |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
SeanOChuinn Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 15 Nov 2015 Posts: 18 Location: Midlands
|
Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2016 10:39 am Post subject: |
|
|
Yes probably so, we're thinking grass 'like' so sedum would be the closest to that. Also there seems to be some variation in colour with sedum over the seasons. Not sure how it changes in winter time though, don't like the idea of a barren brown roof during those periods!!!!
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Sue Deacon Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood

Joined: 31 Dec 2014 Posts: 2029 Location: West Fermanagh
|
Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2016 10:54 am Post subject: |
|
|
Sedum plus sempervivum, Cheddar pinks and creeping thyme. I have all of these growing well in very poor conditions - all self sown.
_________________ Be humble, for you are made of earth
Be noble, for you are made of stars |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Greengage Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 09 Nov 2011 Posts: 3129 Location: Kildare
|
Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2016 5:33 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Take a trip to Dublin Have a look at the Teageasc building in the National Botanic Gardens. Problem with roofs are wind blown seed especially scutch grass and valerian and Buddleia.
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
SeanOChuinn Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 15 Nov 2015 Posts: 18 Location: Midlands
|
Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2016 6:41 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Does it have to be specialised planting like Sedum, I've seen some pictures on line that would suggest there was nothing more than green grass on the roof...
Description: |
|
Filesize: |
59.59 KB |
Viewed: |
8679 Time(s) |

|
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
tagwex Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood

Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Posts: 5188 Location: Co. Wexford
|
Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2016 8:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Have a look at Chamomile. Low growing, doesn't need mowing, grows horizontally. I agree with the creeping thyme too.
_________________ “It’s my field. It’s my child. I nursed it. I nourished it. I saw to its every want. I dug the rocks out of it with my bare hands and I made a living thing of it!”
This boy can really sing http://youtu.be/Dgv78D2duBE |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Good guy Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 11 Feb 2013 Posts: 2593 Location: Donegal
|
Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2016 9:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Some companies sell roll-out mats of pre-grown young plants, sedum and such. A bit like buying rollout lawn. You need to ensure the structure supporting the roof is strong onough to support the weight of wet plants, growing medium etc.
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
SeanOChuinn Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 15 Nov 2015 Posts: 18 Location: Midlands
|
Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2016 10:41 pm Post subject: |
|
|
yes I'm sure additional weight in the form of wet bedding surface plus planter trays plus plants them selves plus rain water would all add up. We've contacted two larger Irish vendors to discuss price and get those kinds of questions answered. It may all boil to that price thingy unfortunately.
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Good guy Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 11 Feb 2013 Posts: 2593 Location: Donegal
|
Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2016 12:29 am Post subject: |
|
|
Doesn't it usually? But it's a lovely idea. Our local council offices have a beautiful sedum roof. Changes all year round. Check Public Services Centre Letterkenny images.
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You can attach files in this forum You can download files in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
Privacy Policy | Copyright © 2006 - present IrishGardeners.com (part of GardenPlansIreland.com)
|