What is a green roof, and how does it benefit my building?

A green roof is a living, vegetative layer installed atop a building, providing insulation, reducing stormwater runoff, and enhancing urban biodiversity. It can also mitigate the urban heat island effect by cooling the surrounding environment.

Can green roofs be installed on existing buildings?

Yes, green roofs can be retrofitted onto most existing structures. However, it's essential to assess the building's structural integrity and waterproofing system before installation.

What types of green roofs does Knickerbocker Roofing install?

Knickerbocker Roofing specializes in both extensive and intensive green roof systems. Extensive systems are lightweight and low-maintenance, ideal for stormwater management, while intensive systems support a wider variety of plants and can include recreational spaces.

How do green roofs contribute to energy efficiency?

Green roofs provide natural insulation, reducing the need for air conditioning in summer and heating in winter. This leads to lower energy bills and a reduced carbon footprint. Additionally, they can extend the lifespan of the underlying roof membrane by protecting it from UV degradation.

What maintenance is required for a green roof?

Maintenance varies based on the green roof type and local climate. Extensive green roofs typically require minimal upkeep, such as occasional weeding and monitoring plant health. Intensive green roofs may need more frequent attention, including irrigation and plant replacement.

Knickerbocker Roofing - Green Roofing

Knickerbocker Roofing & Paving Co., Inc. provides comprehensive roofing development and installation services across the Chicagoland area. As a leading name in advanced and reliable roofing for over 135 years, we’re continuing to develop high-quality watertight green roof systems that meet long-term roofing requirements.

Installing green roofing on a residential garden shed

Green Roofing Services

Knickerbocker delivers sustainable, cost-effective roofing installations to build on our tradition of workmanship and service, producing custom metal sheets and metal forms in our fabrication workshops. We can provide properties with end-to-end green roofing services, including:

Metal roofing fabrication. Get a custom-designed green roofing solution with watertight metal forms produced in-house and made to your exact specifications.
Green roofing installation for roofs up to 1,000,000 square feet. We install multi-layered roofing materials for long-lasting roofs, including watertight membranes, root barriers, insulation, and filter fabric. We also offer electronic field vector mapping (EFVM) as part of quality control measures to guarantee green roofing systems meet our high quality requirements and local building standards.
Installation of additional roofing features. We create complete systems for garden roofs or natural habitats, including garden sprinkler systems.

Applications of Green Roofing

Green roofing offers immediate and long-term advantages for virtually any property type. Professionally installed extensive roofs have a 4″ soil layer, facilitating the growth of low-maintenance vegetation that can provide cooling effects. More robust garden roofs with a 12″ intensive soil layer can house gardens, nature trails, trees, and more, integrating with local habitats and rebuilding natural ecosystems in your area.

Whether you want to increase the usable square footage of your building in a crowded urban area by transforming the rooftop space or you want to support local biodiversity, both flat-roofed and sloped roofs can benefit from green roofing. At Knickerbocker, we can provide green roofing systems that are suitable for a range of building types, including:

Condominiums
Extended living centers
Government buildings
Hospitals
Municipality properties
Nursing homes
Park district buildings
School districts

Start Building a Greener Roof Today With Knickerbocker Roofing and Paving Co., Inc.

Green roofing can incorporate vegetative layers, extensive gardens, solar panels, and outdoor living areas that enhance the appearance of buildings and celebrate the local environment. Get comprehensive green roofing installation and services you can trust from Knickerbocker Roofing and Paving Co. We offer complete in-house services backed by $10 million of liability insurance and access to long-term manufacturers’ warranties for materials.

Illinois businesses have trusted Knickerbocker for over a century to install roofs that are long-lasting, reliable, and watertight. Contact us today or request a quote to take the first step in designing a green roofing system that improves your building’s microclimate and meets your unique goals.

Green Roofing Project Examples