Different types of green roofing explained

There are many different variations and types of green roof. and you can put almost anything on them, from small plants to garden ponds and beehives. In this document we detail the different green roofing types to find out which is best for you.


Extensive green roofing

Extensive green roofs are covered with low grown plants such as Sedums and can often be mistaken for a grass field from a distance. Besides the visual impact of an extensive green roof, they also provide a natural habitat for birds and insects.

The main difference with the extensive green roofs we supply is that it comes in pre-grown in kit-form and is quick and easy to install and does not require irrigation.

Semi intensive green roofing

Typical semi intensive green roofs will have more soil and small shrubs along with wildflowers and sedums found on a extensive green roof. This type of green roof can give rise to a richer ecology with more diverse plant and animal species. It also allows for a formal garden to be installed with paths, grass lawn and flowers or pot plants.

By using our module system as the base of your semi-intensive green roof you will benefit from a strong and flexible roof covering that can be self-installed with its simple clip together modules.

Intensive green roofing

Some characteristics on intensive green roofing include deep soil (often over 150 mm), any type of plant including trees and often paths or hard surfaces for access and recreation. You can also install other garden features such as bee hives or insect hotels to boost the local ecology, ponds or water features to provide an environment for fish, ducks and amphibians such as frogs and newts. You could install a children’s play area with swings, slides and a sand pit or simply some park benches to sit and enjoy the rooftop view.

While the options for an intensive green roof really are endless, using our green roofing modules as the base of your roof will provide the strength to support whatever you place on top of it, it also makes maintenance easy. Each clip together module can be removed individually to move roof sections around.

Brown roofing

The brown roof can be a way of replicating a brownfield site on the roof of a building. There are a number of options with a brown roof; it can be pre-sown with wildflower seeds to ensure interest during spring and summer. Alternatively you can simply leave the soil surface to germinate with wind transported local seeds and develop as part of the local ecosystem. Like a brownfield site you can even recycle building rubble and materials or place specific features to encourage biodiversity such as rotting log piles or small sand dunes.

Our brown roof system is not only quick and easy to lay, but also contains the soil (and wildflower seeds unless otherwise specified) saving the need for earth spreading on the roof. As with all our green roofing products, the modular system is brilliant for on-going roof maintenance.