From Guest Blogger Lillian Connors: What Makes a Trusted Green Roof Contractor

Green roofs are beautiful, are they not? Ah, but they are so much more than mere objects of visual admiration. They serve many a purpose, all of them geared towards environmentalism and long-term monetary savings.

Building a green roof, whether for your house, office, or apartment building, is one of the best eco-friendly solutions you can introduce in order to decrease your utility bills as well as your carbon footprint. Not to mention the pleasure you can take marvelling at your very own rooftop oasis. Before you make the first step though, you ought to know exactly what makes a trusted green roof contractor. Here’s what you should look for.

They have a portfolio

Much like in any field or industry, you can begin your quest to find the right contractor by taking in quotes, plans and most importantly, reviewing portfolios from prospective green roof professionals. Ideally, yours wouldn’t be the first real green roof project your contractor signs, rather the professional would have at least several years prior experience to tackling your needs.

Along with experience, you need to review their track record by contacting their former clients and inquiring about their experience. This means from the day they signed, to several months after the project was finished in order to find out if the contractor’s work was of sound quality.

They consider every detail

It is important that your roof contractor takes every possible detail into account, including safety precautions for the green roof, any possible weight restrictions as well as the overall condition of the roof. If the roof is showing signs of deterioration or poor stability and durability, it will be necessary to make the appropriate repairs and compensations before introducing the soil in order to avoid collapsing or damage due to excess weight.

They tailor solutions

Your contractor should be able to tailor-make your green roof according to your needs, as there are plenty of variations for you to choose from. You might simply need a beautiful rooftop garden, or you might also need a small oasis with furniture and even a place to infuse your herbs and spices. On the other hand, you can request multiple smaller gardens with a recreational area in the centre – the possibilities are numerous, you only need your contractor to be able to turn your vision into reality.

They use all the necessary equipment and materials

Green roof building is a serious project that requires proper tools. Moreover, a project of such scale requires the enforcement of adequate safety measures. Not only does the contractor need to install drainage systems, use the right type of soil, pond liners, roof membranes, insulation and moisture blankets, but they also need to do it using proper elevation equipment (as aluminium modular scaffolding, for instance), along with wearing protective gear at all times to ensure safety for the duration of the project along. This will be imperative, as you will be monitoring the process firsthand.

They are exceptional at gardening

Finally, while it will be up to you to maintain and look after your rooftop oasis, the contractor should be a master gardener, able to assess the type of soil needed to allow various species of flowers and plants to grow in harmony.

Unfortunately, it’s not easy keeping flowers happy, as they often require special conditions for growth. Moreover, some flowers work well together, while others can kill off rival species in order to thrive themselves. Your contractor needs to have in-depth knowledge on the types of soil and plants that can grow on your roof, as well as the ideal conditions to support their health.

Investing in a green roof is an investment into a bright future. Not only will you be decreasing your carbon footprint and helping in the preservation of the environment, but you will also be able to make substantial monetary savings for decades to come.