The Roofing Book

Materials / Green (Vegetated) Roof

Green (Vegetated) Roof

single-ply

A low-slope roof assembly in which a waterproofing membrane is overlaid with drainage, growing medium, and living vegetation. Classified as extensive (shallow, low-maintenance) or intensive (deep, garden-like). The roofing family is defined by the single-ply or modified-bitumen membrane beneath the planting.

Category family
single-ply
Typical lifespan
30–50 years
Typical wind resistance
ballasted assemblies resist uplift; varies by design
Typical fire rating
Class A
Weight per square
1500–5000 lbs
Cost band
$$$$
Slope suitability
low
Typical warranty
20–30 years
Pros
  • stormwater retention and runoff reduction
  • insulation and urban heat-island mitigation
  • protects the membrane from UV, extending its life
  • habitat and amenity space
Cons
  • very heavy saturated loads require structural engineering
  • higher installed and maintenance cost
  • leak detection is more complex
Colorado notes
  • hail_performance: the growing medium and vegetation shield the membrane from hail impact
  • altitude_uv: plant selection must suit Colorado's semi-arid, high-UV climate

Manufacturers

Columbia Green Technologies Dörken Systems Inc. Elevate Sempergreen GreenGrid Roofs American Hydrotech LiveRoof XeroFlor North America ZinCo USA

Named products

Columbia Green Extensive Layered SystemColumbia Green Technologies Columbia Green Intensive Layered SystemColumbia Green Technologies Columbia Green Planted-in-Place TrayColumbia Green Technologies Columbia Green Pre-Grown Tray SystemColumbia Green Technologies Columbia Green Semi-Intensive Layered SystemColumbia Green Technologies DELTA-DRAIN (Garden Roof)Dörken Systems Inc. Elevate SkyScape Built-In-Place SystemsElevate Elevate SkyScape Pregrown Modular SystemElevate Flowergreen RoofSempergreen GreenGrid Intensive ModuleGreenGrid Roofs GreenGrid Layered Green Roof SystemGreenGrid Roofs GreenGrid Semi-Intensive ModuleGreenGrid Roofs GreenGrid Ultra-Extensive and Extensive ModulesGreenGrid Roofs Hydrotech GardNetAmerican Hydrotech Hydrotech Garden Roof AssemblyAmerican Hydrotech Hydrotech LiteTop Growing MediaAmerican Hydrotech LiveRoof Engineered Green Roof SoilLiveRoof LiveRoof Hybrid Green Roof ModuleLiveRoof LiveRoof RoofBlueLiveRoof Pitchedgreen RoofSempergreen Purple-RoofSempergreen Sedum Original Green RoofSempergreen Solargreen RoofSempergreen XeroFlor XF + BR SystemXeroFlor North America XeroFlor XF + FL SystemXeroFlor North America XeroFlor XF + GM SystemXeroFlor North America XeroFlor XF + MW SystemXeroFlor North America XeroFlor XF + TR SystemXeroFlor North America XeroFlor XF 300 Sedum MatXeroFlor North America XeroFlor XF Root BarrierXeroFlor North America ZinCo Ornamental Sedum Green Roof SystemZinCo USA ZinCo Perennial Garden Green Roof SystemZinCo USA ZinCo Pre-cultivated Vegetation MatsZinCo USA ZinCo Roof Garden SystemZinCo USA ZinCo Sedum Carpet Green Roof SystemZinCo USA ZinCo Sloped Sedum Green Roof SystemZinCo USA ZinCo Urban Rooftop Farming SystemZinCo USA

Related guides

Commercial Flat-Roof Options Asphalt vs. Metal vs. Tile Wind & Fire Ratings New Roof Cost

Sources