FAQ
Everything people ask us about green roofs: what they are, what they involve for your building, and how Adopt a Roof works.
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About green roofs
It depends on the size, the structure, the state of the waterproofing and the type of system. That is why we give a price only after a free roof check. If your roof needs renovating anyway, greening it often costs not much more than a conventional renovation.
Often, yes. Many cities and regions offer grants for green roofs. We check what is available for your building as part of the assessment.
Most flat roofs can host some kind of green roof. It depends on how much extra weight the structure can carry; lightweight systems exist for roofs with limited capacity. A technician checks it first.
A low, extensive green roof needs only a few visits a year. A walkable roof garden needs more care, like any garden. We plan maintenance with the installer from the start.
From the first check to the finished roof, usually a few months, depending on approvals and the season for planting.
There are three main types. Extensive roofs have low plants such as sedums, grasses and wildflowers on about 8–15 cm of growing medium. Semi-intensive roofs add perennials, aromatic herbs and low shrubs on about 15–25 cm. Intensive roofs are real roof gardens, with shrubs, lawn and even small trees, on 25 cm of growing medium or more.
Indicative values when wet: roughly 80–150 kg/m² for an extensive roof, 150–250 kg/m² for a semi-intensive one and from about 300 kg/m² for an intensive roof garden. The exact system and weight depend on your roof and are confirmed after the roof check.
We are currently active in Spain and Italy.
For homeowners and communities
A well-designed green roof sits on top of the waterproofing with a root barrier and protects it. We always check the existing waterproofing first.
Works on a shared roof usually need the approval of the other owners. We prepare a clear summary you can present to them.
It depends on the city and the building. In most cases a green roof on an existing building needs a simple communication or a minor-works permit. We check what applies to your building and prepare the documents with the installer.
For your own building
Less heat on the top floors in summer, a roof membrane protected from sun and temperature swings, and rainwater retained on the roof.
If the structure, access and safety allow it, yes. Otherwise a low, non-walkable green roof still delivers most of the building benefits.
Green roofs can contribute to some credits in schemes such as LEED, BREEAM or WELL, case by case with your certification consultant.
We plan it with the installer from the start; it can be covered by a maintenance agreement.
It depends on the city and the building. In most cases a green roof on an existing building needs a communication or a minor-works permit. If you rent the building, the owner also needs to agree. We check what applies and prepare the documents with the installer.
For companies without a suitable roof
No. We work with owners of existing buildings to identify suitable rooftops. Your company can support a project without owning the property.
Yes. Tell us where you’d like to make a contribution. We’ll assess the opportunities available, although a suitable building cannot be guaranteed in every location.
Your contribution supports the agreed project, which may include feasibility work, design, installation, coordination, maintenance and documentation. The scope is defined before you commit.
The building owners retain ownership of the roof. Your company’s role is to support its transformation, under an agreement defining recognition and communication rights.
Any physical signage or public recognition depends on the agreement with the building owners and applicable permissions. We discuss these possibilities before the project begins.
Sometimes. Visits and team activities depend on access, safety requirements and the owners’ approval. They are not automatically included in every project.
We document what has been installed, including the green roof area and relevant project characteristics. Environmental performance estimates or measurements are included only when supported by an appropriate method and available data.
Maintenance arrangements and responsibilities are agreed with the building owners and relevant partners before installation. The activities and period covered are defined for each project.
No. Adopt a Roof is not a carbon offsetting programme and does not provide carbon credits. It supports a specific urban greening intervention.
It depends on the building, technical assessments, owner approvals and any permits required. We discuss an indicative timeline once we have identified a potential project.