It is increasingly common, roofs with greenery on them. It is good for the environment, insulates, not so expensive, lasts a long time and has even more advantages. Especially in cities, it is increasingly common, a green roof is experienced as extra pleasant because there is little green in the city. If you are thinking about making your roof green, you may be eligible for a subsidy. Entrepreneurs can also claim tax schemes.
Construction of a green roof
Installing a green roof does not have to be very complicated. How exactly it should be laid out partly depends on which type of greenery should be placed on it.
If you are handy, you can also choose to install it yourself. There are special do-it-yourself packages for this.
Which roofs are suitable
In principle, most flat or sloping roofs are suitable for a green covering. Such a green layer generally weighs about 75 kilos per m2. This roughly corresponds to the weight of a gravel layer. Adjustment of the load-bearing construction is therefore usually not necessary. If you opt for an intensive green roof, it is more likely that this will have to be adjusted. It may be wise to check this in advance with a recognized roofing company.
Intensive and extensive green roofs
There are 2 main forms of green roofs:
- intensive green roofs
- extensive green roofs
It is important to know that there are still several intermediate forms.
Intensive green roofs are roofs on which grasses, herbs, shrubs and sometimes even trees grow. They quickly resemble regular gardens and are therefore often referred to as roof gardens.
Mosses, herbs and succulents are mainly kept on extensive green roofs.
Green roof maintenance
Amount of maintenance of a green roof is not too bad. It is wise to go up the roof twice a year on average to remove weeds and seedlings from trees, check rainwater drainage and remove leaves. In principle, watering is not necessary, in case of prolonged drought and warm weather this can sometimes be necessary. It is clear that intensive green roofs require much more maintenance than extensive green roofs. Extensive green roofs may therefore require more maintenance, partly due to the vegetation on them.
Advantages of a green roof
There are many advantages of covering your roof with greenery:
- It quickly lasts twice as long as a normal roof covering, namely up to 40 years!
- Rainwater is collected and removed with a delay, this relieves the sewer system.
- It insulates the building underneath, reduces temperature fluctuations. You notice this because it is cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. In the winter it retains the heat and in the summer it radiates less heat compared to most other roofing materials.
- More green. Logical, because you replace something that was not green with something green. This ensures an improvement of the flora and fauna.
- Air quality is improved. Green roofs absorb particulate matter from the air.
Green roof subsidy for private individuals
In a short time, many cities have come up with a subsidy for green roofs. To give you an idea of subsidy schemes, you will find an overview of a number of subsidy schemes below. The subsidies in this overview may have changed in the meantime, if you are interested, it is wise to inquire about subsidy schemes with your own municipality. It is also often possible for a VVE to apply for a subsidy for green roofs, also request information about this from your municipality.
| Municipalities | Green roof subsidy |
|---|---|
| Amsterdam | € 20 per m2; max. € 1,000 |
| Apeldoorn | 30, – per m2; Total budget 2010: 150,000 |
| Delft | 25, – per m2; Total budget 2010: ?? 100,000 |
| the Hague | 25, – per m2; max. ?? 1.500, – |
| Groningen | 30, – per m2; max. ?? 1.500, – |
| Leeuwarden | 25, – per m2; max. ?? 1.500, – |
| Nieuwegein | 25, – per m2; For roofs from 8m2 to 150m2 |
| Nijmegen | 25, – per m2; max. 2.500, – Total budget 2010 and 1011: ?? 100,000 |
| Rotterdam | 25, – per m2; max. unknown |
| Utrecht | 30, – per m2; max. 2.500, – |
Costs for a green roof
The costs of a green roof are on average € 50 per m2. This means that the subsidy covers an average of 50% of the costs. This is an average. Prices are usually between € 30 and € 100. The fact that the prices differ is mainly due to the quality of the green roof, what kind of green you want to grow on it, and whether you install it yourself or if you hire someone for it.
Subsidy and tax schemes for green roofs for entrepreneurs
In addition to subsidy schemes from municipalities, there are also tax schemes for green roofs for entrepreneurs:
- Environmental Investment Allowance (MIA)
- Arbitrary depreciation Environmental investments (Vamil)
These are tax regulations of the Ministries of Finance and VROM. They are carried out by SenterNovem and the Tax Authorities.
These schemes are intended for entrepreneurs who invest in specific environmentally-friendly techniques or equipment for their company, as listed on the environmental list. On the environmental list, a green roof is mentioned as a green roof.
