Green roofs are fantastic for insulation—definitely keeps things cooler underneath, especially compared to asphalt. But, yeah, the weight is no joke. I’ve seen rafters bow on mid-century garages that weren’t beefed up first...not a fun surprise. Personally, if I had to redo my own roof tomorrow, I’d probably lean toward standing seam metal. Less maintenance, fire resistant, and you can walk on it without worrying about squashing sedum. I do envy the stormwater perks of green roofs though. Maybe one day when my lottery numbers hit...
Standing seam metal’s a solid pick—seen a lot of folks go that route lately, especially after a few rough hail seasons. I’ve installed a handful of green roofs, and you’re right, the structural upgrades can get pricey fast. Ever looked into those hybrid systems? Like a thin sedum mat over metal panels? Curious if anyone’s tried that combo for stormwater without the full weight.
I’ve actually wondered about those hybrid setups too. We just moved into our first place last year, and the roof’s not in bad shape yet, but I’m already thinking ahead after seeing what hail did to a neighbor’s asphalt shingles. Metal seems tough, but I do love the idea of some greenery up there—just not sure about the extra weight or cost. The sedum mat over metal sounds like a cool compromise if it really helps with runoff. Would be nice to have something low-maintenance that still looks good.
- Inspected a few homes with that sedum-over-metal combo—honestly, it holds up better than I expected.
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— weight’s usually okay with metal, but always double-check with your roofer.“just not sure about the extra weight or cost”
- Metal’s great for hail, but yeah, initial cost is higher. Greenery does help with runoff and heat, but you’ll want to watch for drainage issues.
- Saw one setup where the owner barely touched it all year—looked pretty sharp from the street.
Metal with a green roof layer like sedum is honestly one of the more underrated combos out there. I’ve seen plenty during inspections, and the weight’s rarely a problem unless you’re dealing with an older structure or a weird span—still, always worth getting a structural check, especially if you’re adding soil and plants. Metal’s upfront cost is no joke, but over 30-40 years, it pays for itself in durability and less maintenance. Hail, wind, even fire—metal just shrugs it off.
One thing I’d add: if you’re in a spot with heavy rain or snow, don’t skimp on drainage. I’ve seen a few green roofs where clogged drains led to leaks or even ice dams in winter. Maintenance isn’t zero, but it’s not crazy either—just a walk-around every season. Visually, though, hard to beat. If I had to redo my own roof, I’d go metal, maybe with a small green section for the south-facing slope. Not cheap, but I’d rather pay once than patch shingles every few years.
