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expression

green roof

a roof covered with living vegetation

In Architecture & Design

In more detail

1. (noun) a roof covered with plants and soil that helps insulate the building and reduce rainwater runoff

2. (noun) the environmental or ecological benefits of using green plants in construction and urban design

Examples

How to use green roof

A green roof refers to a roofing system where vegetation and growing medium are installed on top of a building's roof structure. It is used in both technical/architectural contexts and environmental discussions to emphasize the ecological advantages, including improved insulation, stormwater management, and urban heat island reduction. The term is increasingly common in sustainable building and urban planning discourse.

Common phrases

Synonyms

living roof · vegetated roof · eco-roof · planted roof

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse green roofs with simple rooftop gardens; while related, green roofs are specifically engineered systems designed with waterproofing, drainage, and structural considerations, whereas rooftop gardens may be more informal plantings.

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