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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Man in jail for allegedly groping jogger on Bear Creek Greenway ... Mail Tribune 100, Feb. 9, 1916 ... Oregon and Alaska lift suspension of troubled insurance carrier Moda ... Man in jail for allegedly groping jogger on Bear Creek Greenway ... Mail Tribune 100, Feb. 9, 1916 ... Oregon and Alaska lift suspension of troubled insurance carrier Moda ... Green roof gardens have several benefits Comment By Melissa Erickson More Content Now MailTribune.com By Melissa Erickson More Content Now Posted May. 11, 2015 at 1:12 PM Updated May 11, 2015 at 1:13 PM By Melissa Erickson More Content Now Posted May. 11, 2015 at 1:12 PM Updated May 11, 2015 at 1:13 PM » Social News Green roof gardens are transforming urban areas, bringing nature to new heights. The trend is catching on with not only commercial builders but homeowners in suburban areas, too. Green roof gardens are nothing new — basically the ancient hanging gardens of Babylon were green roof gardens – but now such gardens have expanded beyond rooftops with planters and al fresco dining areas, said Gaelle Berges, product and development manager for Vegetal i.D., a European green roof leader since 1992, which branched out to North America in 2010. “There’s a growing market in the United States for green roofs. More and more private residential buildings” are adding or being built with green roofs, Berges said. Health, energy benefits Everyone’s got a roof, but most of us don’t take advantage of it. “In a land of concrete and steel, a roof garden is the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life,” said home and garden designer Amber Freda, owner of Amber Freda Home & Garden Design in New York. “People enjoy the fact that they can relax outdoors in their own homes, without having to necessarily travel to a park or luxury destination to enjoy nature.” Creating a garden oasis to see, feel and enjoy is the aesthetic benefit of a rooftop garden, but there’s also plenty of environmental and energy benefits, too. “The garden brings insulating properties so that in the summer, it will help cool your home and you’ll use less air conditioning. In the winter, it will keep in the heat and your heating costs will be less,” Berges said. An exposed roof can get as hot as 158 degrees F on a sunny day while a green, shady roof heats up to just 77 degrees F, according to a study by the National Research Council of Canada. A green roof also adds an extra layer of protection, which can lengthen the roof’s lifespan, as well as helps manage rainfall, which eases the burden on the local sewer system, Berges said. Styles and safety From full grass-covered roofs to small patio spaces with potted trees and plants, green roofs come in a variety of styles. “A rooftop garden is usually a luxury outdoor living space that includes furniture, plants and planters, and it may also contain elements of a green roof like sedum trays,” said Freda. “A green roof may or may not contain furniture, isn’t necessarily meant for lounging or entertaining, and often has sparse, meadow-like plantings that are able to survive with minimal irrigation.” The most important consideration for a green roof is “load,” Berges said. It’s easier to add to a new home, but a green roof can be placed on an existing home, too. “Be sure to check with an architect or engineer to see if you’ll need to reinforce,” and check with your local municipality to see about any regulations, Berges said. “It’s important to know the weight-bearing capacity of the roof, or how many pounds per square foot the roof can hold,” Freda added. “People should also look into the combined weight of everything they plan to put on the roof and make sure it works with the structural capacity of the roof prior to beginning any renovations.” When selecting plants that will thrive on a rooftop, remember that “the plants that do well on the ground in your area may not do well on the roof,” Berges said. “Consult a green roof designer, because the layering of soil and irrigation systems are more complicated.” By Melissa Erickson More Content Now MailTribune.com By Melissa Erickson More Content Now Posted May. 11, 2015 at 1:12 PM Updated May 11, 2015 at 1:13 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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