Living/Green Roof Installation

Living Rooftops

Green roofs deliver measurable benefits: 10-30% reduction in heating and cooling costs, stormwater retention that eases burden on city drainage, and roof membrane protection that can triple the lifespan of the waterproofing below. Chicago's Millennium Park—24.5 acres of intensive green roof—demonstrates what's possible, but effective green roofs work at any scale, from single-family homes to commercial buildings seeking LEED certification or stormwater fee reduction.

We install both extensive and intensive green roof systems. Extensive roofs use shallow growing medium (6 inches or less) planted with hardy sedums that handle Chicago's temperature extremes, require minimal maintenance, and add relatively little structural load. Intensive roofs use deeper soil (8-24 inches) that supports diverse plantings including shrubs, perennials, even small trees—but require more structural capacity and ongoing care. Each installation includes proper root barriers, drainage layers, and irrigation appropriate to the system type.

Your finished green roof integrates with deck areas for combined living space and planted zones, or covers the entire roof for maximum environmental benefit. We coordinate with structural engineers to verify load capacity, handle all permitting, and install systems that perform year after year—turning unused roof surface into living infrastructure that benefits both your building and the city.