Green Roof

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-012564",
  "term": "Green Roof",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. Also known as rooftop gardens, green roofs are planted over existing roof structures, and consist of a waterproof, root-safe membrane that is covered by a drainage system, lightweight growing medium, and plants. Green roofs reduce rooftop and building temperatures, filter pollution, lessen pressure on sewer systems, and reduce the heat island effect.\n\n2. Roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and soil, planted over a waterproofing membrane.\n\n3. A vegetative system installed on top of and in addition to the traditional roof system. A green roof includes engineered soil layers (e.g., a waterproof membrane, drainage, high inorganic growing media), and appropriate plant species. Green roofs reduce surface runoff from the rooftop by absorbing stormwater and slowing stormwater flow rates, and provide ancillary benefits such as summer cooling, lowered urban heat island effect, and improved air quality.\n\n4. Also known as eco-roofs or rooftop gardens, green roofs are engineered soil media systems that are planted on rooftops and designed to reduce runoff, combined sewer overflows, urban heat island impacts and provide other ecological and human benefits such as aesthetics, wildlife habitat and aesthetics. The soil media mix and vegetation are planted over existing roof structures and consist of a waterproof, root-safe membrane that is covered by a drainage system, lightweight growing medium, and plants. Green roofs reduce rooftop and building temperatures, filter pollution, lessen pressure on sewer systems, and reduce the heat island effect.",
  "subject": "Sustainability and green living",
  "references": [
    "Greening EPA Glossary",
    "Top Green Home Terms",
    "EPA Stormwater Discharges from Developed Sites; Glossary from Owner/Developer Long Questionnaire; 4/16/2010 DRAFT VERSION Quoted on NAHB website",
    "Chesapeake Bay Glossary at http://www.epa.gov/owow_keep/NPS/chesbay502/pdf/chesbay_glossary.pdf; Federal Land Management in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/green-roof/"
}