At least with a green roof, you get some insulation and a bit of bragging rights at the next BBQ. Guess it’s all about picking your battles... and maybe investing in some decent chicken wire if you’re worried about raccoons.
- Had to laugh at the “bragging rights” part. My brother-in-law won’t shut up about his “eco roof” but he’s the only one who’s had to chase a possum off it at 2am.
- I’ve got plain old shingles, and squirrels still find a way in. Last winter, one chewed through the soffit. Ended up patching it with metal mesh—no more freeloaders since.
- Moss is a pain. Tried ignoring it once, but then the roof started leaking right above my bed. Lesson learned: keep gutters clear or pay for it later.
- Not sure green roofs are worth the hassle unless you’re really into gardening. The insulation’s nice, but I’d rather not add another thing to maintain.
- If your cat thinks he owns the place, at least he’s keeping an eye on things. Mine just stares at birds from the window and judges me.
Bottom line: every roof’s got its own drama, whether it’s critters, leaks, or just family members thinking it’s a playground.
Not sure green roofs are worth the hassle unless you’re really into gardening. The insulation’s nice, but I’d rather not add another thing to maintain.
I get where you’re coming from, but I think the maintenance side of green roofs is a bit overblown. If they’re set up right, you’re mostly just checking drainage and pulling weeds now and then. Compared to chasing leaks or patching up after squirrels, it’s not that bad. Plus, the insulation actually makes a difference—my uncle’s heating bill dropped after he put one in, and he’s not exactly a “gardening guy.”
Critters are gonna find a way no matter what you’ve got up there. At least with a green roof, you’re not dealing with shingles blowing off every windstorm. Just my two cents. Every roof has its headaches, but sometimes the new stuff isn’t as much work as people think.
I get the hesitation—roofs are enough of a pain without adding more to the mix. But honestly, I was surprised how little extra work my green roof needed after the first year. I’m not out there with a trowel every weekend or anything. The insulation is real, too—my attic used to be an oven in summer, now it’s way more manageable. If you’re already dealing with shingle repairs or critters, it’s just trading one kind of upkeep for another, but at least you get some perks back. Worth considering if your roof’s due anyway.
- Not to be a downer, but I had a different experience with my green roof.
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“I was surprised how little extra work my green roof needed after the first year.”
- Maybe it’s my climate (humid summers, Midwest), but I’ve had to deal with drainage issues and some plant die-off.
- Insulation is great, no doubt, but the maintenance isn’t always “set it and forget it.”
- If someone’s already struggling with leaks or critters, adding soil and plants might complicate things.
- Just worth weighing the pros and cons for your area and roof style.
Yeah, I hear you on the green roof not being totally hands-off. I’ve seen a few folks get caught off guard by how much ongoing attention they actually need, especially in places with heavy rain or humidity. Midwest summers can be brutal—plants just don’t always cooperate, and drainage is a real headache if it’s not set up right from the start.
One thing I’ve noticed: if your roof already has issues like leaks, critters, or even just poor ventilation, adding a bunch of soil and plants on top can make things worse fast. It’s not just the weight—moisture gets trapped in weird spots, and suddenly you’re dealing with rot or mold where you never had it before.
Don’t get me wrong, the insulation benefits are legit, but I wouldn’t call it low-maintenance for everyone. Had one client who ended up pulling theirs out after a couple years because the upkeep was more than they bargained for. Just depends on your setup and how much time you want to spend up there...
