Yeah, simpler can definitely work, but have you considered how climate factors into this? Gravel or crushed brick might do fine in moderate climates, but what about heavy rainfall or snow melt? I mean, wouldn't a basic layer struggle with drainage in harsher conditions? I'm all for keeping it straightforward and eco-friendly, but maybe tweaking the depth or material slightly depending on your local weather could save headaches down the line... thoughts?
Good point about climate—I've seen firsthand how overlooked drainage can turn into a nightmare. A few years back, I worked on a project where the homeowner insisted on using crushed brick for their green roof because they'd read it was eco-friendly and affordable. It looked great at first, but after one particularly wet winter, we had pooling water everywhere. The drainage just wasn't sufficient, and we ended up having to redo sections of it with deeper layers and better drainage mats underneath.
Honestly, tweaking the depth or adding a simple drainage layer isn't that complicated or expensive, and it can save you from bigger headaches later. You don't have to go overboard—just a bit of extra planning based on your local weather can make all the difference. I've found that even small adjustments like mixing in some coarser gravel or using a basic drainage mat beneath the surface material can really help manage heavy rainfall or snow melt without breaking the bank.
Fair points, but honestly, crushed brick isn't always the villain here. I've seen it work fine when there's proper slope built in from the start. Sometimes it's less about materials and more about how carefully the initial design was thought through...
Totally get what you're saying about crushed brick. I remember helping out on a job last summer where the homeowner insisted on using it because it was eco-friendly and budget-friendly. Honestly, I was skeptical at first, but the roofer I was shadowing made sure the slope and drainage were spot-on from day one. A year later, no leaks, no pooling—nothing. Guess it really does come down to planning ahead and not just slapping materials up there and hoping for the best...
This is interesting because I had a similar experience, but mine didn't go quite as smoothly. A couple years back, I was trying to be both eco-conscious and wallet-friendly (story of my life, right?), so I decided to go with recycled shingles made from old tires. Sounded great at first—recycling, durability, affordable—what could go wrong?
Well, turns out plenty. The roofer I hired was decent enough, but maybe not as thorough as yours. He assured me drainage wouldn't be an issue, but after the first heavy rainstorm, I noticed some pooling in one corner. Nothing major at first, but you know how small annoyances have a way of becoming big headaches? Yeah, that happened.
Ended up having to redo the slope and drainage a few months later. Still came in cheaper than some of the higher-end eco options I'd looked at, but it definitely taught me the importance of planning ahead and double-checking everything before you commit. Guess my question now is, has anyone else tried recycled materials like rubber shingles or something similar? Did I just have bad luck, or are certain materials trickier to get right than others?
Also, crushed brick sounds cool and all, but is there any downside in terms of weight or maintenance over time? I'd love to hear if anyone's run into any unexpected quirks with it...
