Rooftop Gardens – Design and Construction
Rooftop Garden construction and design ideas are all the rage and we have enquiries from Sydney Melbourne Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart, Perth and Darwin. Plants suitable for rooftops will depend on the location as strength of the construction.
Rooftop Gardens design and construction can take many forms and have been popular for centuries. With urban living taking up so much space many people are looking to their rooftops to find a space to create a green oasis, grow vegetables or indeed use the insulating possibilities of rooftop gardens as an energy saving feature in new home construction.
Benefits of a Rooftop Garden.
- Helps protect rooftops from damaging UV light.
- Can act as insulation from heat, cold and sound.
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Uses valuable space in urban areas for food production.
- Adds value to properties.
- Is ecologically a great idea.
Rooftop garden construction styles.
- Simple placement of a few pots and planters to create a little green oasis.
- A hydroponics low weight rooftop garden.
- A complete garden with pavers, lawn and water features.
- An integrated rooftop garden in a new structure that acts as both a garden and insulating feature.
Factors to consider in rooftop garden construction.
It sounds easy, get a few planters, a few bags of potting mix and some plants, a source of water and we have an instant rooftop garden.
Plants for a Roof Garden
Almost any plant can be grown on a roof. It all depends on the factors below. Succulents are great for simple rooftop gardens, they require little soil and little moisture, so weight is not such as issue. However given proper engineering specifications even large trees could be grown on a rooftop. Herbs are another favourite with rooftop gardeners, low growing, fairly tough and herbs can provide a fresh edible crop.
Consider these factors before you start.
Weight.
Pots, planters, soil, pavers and plants can weigh a lot. Is your roof built to withstand the increased weight of a garden? Remember that the soil in a planter will weigh more when it is wet and that plants weigh more as they grow, so allow for this weight increase.
Water.
Rooftop Gardens require water, pots, planters etc may compromise the waterproof nature of your roof, so consider this before commencing. Also consider water itself, how are you going to water this garden?
Light and heat.
Rooftops can receive a lot of light and heat. When choosing plants consider this when making your selection.
How to start a Rooftop Garden
If you are looking for DIY instructions we suggest that you should start small. Perhaps look at trying with a shed or outbuilding.
Make sure the roof is strong enough to hold the garden you are considering. Waterproof the roof with a rubber membrane. Make sure that any added construction is secure and safe. If you have any.
Choose low maintenance plants such as succulents.
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