Installing a green roof

A Petworth homeowner puts in a vegetated roof on her rowhouse.

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The original front porch roof of Annette L. Olson’s home in Petworth.

Photo by Annette L. Olson /

In June, the roof was torn off, strengthened, and a waterproofing membrane put on.

Photo by Annette L. Olson

In late July, the green roof was installed, beginning with a layer of protection fabric that helps shed water and acts as a root barrier.

Photo by Annette L. Olson

A power lift carries heavy items to the roof.

Photo by Annette L. Olson

Scott Sunderlin of DC Greenworks locks together the edging that will hold in the rest of the green roof materials and plants.

Photo by Annette L. Olson

A second sheet designed as the main root barrier is placed on top of the protection fabric.

Photo by Annette L. Olson

Andrew Benenati, the project manager, installs drainage sheets, channels which will carry unabsorbed water to slots in the edging, allowing it to drain during heavy rains.

Photo by Annette L. Olson

Erik Vollmerhausen stands next to growing medium on the filter fabric, which keeps the growing medium from washing into the drainage channels or through the slots in the edging.

Photo by Annette L. Olson

The bed is filled to the rim of the edging, and sprigs of sedum, a drought-tolerant succulent, are planted. Within two years, the plants will cover the entire surface.

Photo by Annette L. Olson

A variety of plants were planted, including Sedum sexangulare, S. montanum Blue Form, S. hybridum and two types of S. kamtaschaticum.

Photo by Annette L. Olson

Sedum kamtschaticum is a drought-tolerant succulent.

Photo by Annette L. Olson

A channel of rock was put where the roof meets the house to allow easy access for any needed future repairs of the sealed juncture.

Photo by Annette L. Olson

The roof is completely planted and lightly mulched; the black plastic piping is for a future sprinkler (or soaker hoses).

Photo by Annette L. Olson

The new green roof survives its first downpour an hour later.

Photo by Annette L. Olson

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