Roof gardens are not only a beautiful alternative for those who do not have space for a "real" garden, they also offer several advantages for the house and users: green roofs protect the roof and thus extend its lifespan, it regulates the temperature in the house and takes care of it good insulation in winter and cool in summer. In addition, roof gardens usually offer a beautiful view and get a lot of sun. Learn how to create a roof garden below.

Trees can even be planted on a "real" roof garden

You should do this before you create the roof garden

A roof garden puts a lot of weight on the roof. Depending on how much soil is applied, it can weigh up to several hundred kilograms per square meter. For this reason, the statics must be checked by a specialist before the roof garden is created. A building permit is also required for the roof garden. It is also important to ensure that a water connection is available or can be installed.

Plan the roof garden correctly

As with everything else, good planning is the be-all and end-all for smooth success when laying out the roof garden. You should be aware of the following:

  • Which plants do you want to plant on your roof garden?
  • Do you want to create a terrace?
  • Should the roof garden take up the entire roof or only part of it?
  • Do you need sun protection?
  • Do you need a privacy screen?
  • Should automatic irrigation be installed?
  • Would you like water elements on your roof terrace?

Have a roof garden created or do it yourself?

It is difficult to create a roof garden yourself. While green roofs with just a little soil and low plants can be done by a skilled do-it-yourselfer (here you can find out how), creating a roof garden, a so-called intensive green roof, is much more complex and should be left to a professional.

Building a roof garden

Building a roof garden is quite complex. Depending on the provider, many different layers are laid. These are for example:

  • leveling layer
  • vapor barrier
  • insulation layer
  • release layer
  • root protection film
  • anti-trickle fleece
  • drainage layer
  • filter mats
  • substrate

Based on these numerous elements, you can already see that the structure of a roof garden is quite complex. Furthermore, it is essential to ensure that irrigation and rainwater can drain off without any problems. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a professional for the construction of the roof garden.

Category:

Garden design