What is an extensive Green roof?

Establishing plants on roofs is not a new concept. Originally green roofs were popular as a technique associated with thermal regulation.

Planting a green roof for aesthetic reasons became popular later with roof gardens. The ecological aspect took over in 1980. Research into green roofs was conducted in Germany and a new concept appeared: extensive green roofing.

Extensive green roofs are much thinner and lighter than the intensive roof garden systems. This type of planting is economic in terms of resources (the selected plants have minimal water and maintenance requirements) as well as more representative of a natural system. In the 90s, almost 15 % of the new green roofs created in Germany were planted using the extensive green-roof technique.

In France, the concept of green roofs appeared in the 1990s. The market for extensive green roofs experienced a boom after 2004 when French society grew a strong awareness and support of developing solutions that respect the environment.