Green Roofing: Living Roofs for Ottawa Homes

Transform your roof into a thriving garden. Green roofing reduces energy costs, manages stormwater, and creates urban biodiversity.

/ Overview

What Is Green Roofing?

Living systems that benefit homes and environment

Green roofing, also called living roofs or vegetated roofs, involves growing plants on a roof surface. A multi-layered system includes waterproofing, root barriers, soil, and vegetation, creating a functioning ecosystem on your home.

Why Green Roofing?

/ Materials

Types of Green Roofing

Intensive and extensive systems

Type Vegetation Depth Maintenance Best For
Extensive Sedums, grasses 2-6 inches Minimal Most residential roofs, low-slope
Semi-Intensive Diverse plants, shrubs 6-12 inches Moderate Stronger structures, some foot traffic
Intensive Trees, shrubs, flowers 12-24+ inches High Strong structures, designed as gardens
/ Benefits

Green Roofing Benefits

Environmental and financial advantages

Energy Savings

30-50% reduction in cooling costs through insulation and evapotranspiration

Stormwater Management

Absorbs rainfall reducing urban flooding and stormwater treatment costs

Extended Roof Life

Protects membrane from UV and weather, extending lifespan significantly

Biodiversity

Creates habitat for pollinators and birds in urban environment

Air Quality

Plants filter air and reduce urban heat island effect

Property Value

Living roofs increase home appeal and resale value significantly

/ Installation

Green Roof Installation & Maintenance

Professional design and ongoing care

Installation Process

Green roof installation is more complex than standard roofing:

  1. Structural assessment to verify roof capacity
  2. Install waterproofing and root barrier
  3. Install drainage layer and filter fabric
  4. Add growing medium (soil)
  5. Plant vegetation (sedums, grasses, plants)
  6. Install irrigation system
  7. Establish and monitor plant growth

Maintenance Requirements

Ottawa Considerations

/ Pricing

Green Roofing Costs

Investment in sustainability and value

Installation Cost Range

Type Cost Range Per Sq Ft Includes
Extensive $10-$25/sq ft $10-$25 Minimal maintenance system
Semi-Intensive $15-$35/sq ft $15-$35 Moderate maintenance garden
Intensive $25-$50+/sq ft $25-$50+ Full garden or park experience

Return on Investment

/ FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Green roofing questions answered

No. The waterproofing layer under the growing medium is redundant, meaning if one layer fails, others protect the roof. Professional installation ensures proper waterproofing.
Not all roofs can. Extensive systems (lightest) weigh 10-20 lbs/sq ft when saturated. We conduct structural assessment to determine feasibility.
Hardy sedums, grasses, and cold-tolerant plants work best. Native plants that withstand Ottawa winters are ideal.
Extensive systems are relatively drought-tolerant. Watering needed during establishment and dry periods. Irrigation systems help manage this.
Semi-intensive or intensive systems can support food gardens. Requires more depth, structure, and maintenance but is absolutely possible.

Ready to Go Green?

Get Your Free Green Roofing Consultation. We'll assess your roof, discuss options, and help design a sustainable roofing solution.

Schedule Consultation (343) 321-0218 - Available Monday-Friday, 8AM-5PM