In busy urban centers such as New York City where space is at a premium, rooftops often represent a fantastic opportunity for businesses looking to maximize their use of space and improve their premises. Transforming your rooftop into a vibrant and beautiful space not only adds aesthetic appeal and provides a pleasant space for your employees and team members to retreat to, but it also comes with an array of compelling practical benefits.
But unlocking the full potential of your rooftop space requires a little knowledge and plenty of creativity. In today’s post, we will show you how to create a beautiful rooftop oasis no matter what size of rooftop you have to work with.
The Benefits of Rooftop Landscaping
Rooftop gardens come with an array of benefits for your business, your team members, your space, and the environment. Some of the best reasons to embrace rooftop commercial landscaping include:
Improved Air Quality
Poor air quality has been shown to contribute toward numerous health issues, such as respiratory problems and cardiovascular diseases. For those who live and work in urban environments, this is a particular concern.
Plants on rooftops act as natural air filters, trapping pollutants and particulate matter. They also absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, contributing to cleaner air in urban environments. In other words, the more plants we bring into our towns and cities, the healthier and more breathable our air will be.
Energy Efficiency
Rooftop gardens provide natural insulation for buildings, reducing heat transfer and lowering indoor temperatures during hot weather. This decreases the amount of energy you will need to use to run expensive air conditioning, resulting in cost savings for your business as well as the environmental benefits of reducing your greenhouse gas emissions.
Aesthetic Enhancement
Plants, green spaces, and landscaping add visual appeal to buildings, transforming barren rooftops into beautiful and vibrant havens far above the hustle and bustle of the city.
These spaces can enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of our urban landscapes, providing a pleasant environment for residents, workers, and visitors to rest and relax. Studies have shown that access to green spaces can even have a positive impact on mental health by reducing stress and anxiety, promoting relaxation, and improving mood.
Noise Reduction
Our cities and urban centers are loud, and it can be difficult to get away from the noise when you live and work in these environments. Vegetation on rooftops can help to dampen sound, reducing noise pollution from surrounding areas.
This is particularly beneficial for buildings located in particularly loud areas such as those close to transportation hubs.
Increased Property Value
Rooftop gardens can increase property values by improving the attractiveness and desirability of buildings. They also offer additional outdoor space for relaxation and recreation, enhancing the living or working environment and therefore the resale or rental value of the property.
How to Achieve the Perfect Landscaped Rooftop
If you want to create the ideal landscaped rooftop for your business or commercial building, planning and preparation are paramount. In this section, we will show you five practical strategies to help you create the outdoor oasis of your dreams.
Pick the Right Plants
Choosing the right plants is vital if you want to create a beautiful, sustainable, and thriving rooftop garden. Select plants that are well-suited to the rooftop environment, considering factors such as sunlight availability, wind exposure, temperature fluctuations, and soil depth.
It is also a good idea to opt for drought-tolerant, low-maintenance species that can thrive in containers or green roof systems.
Bring in plenty of greens, but include seasonal pops of color and perennials, too. Changing your plants seasonally will give the space a sense of natural change and make it engaging for people to visit again and again.
Don’t forget about environmental sustainability factors, too. Choose native plants to cut down on the resources required to maintain them, and avoid invasive species such as bamboo.
Ensure Accessibility
Your employees and team members will love enjoying your rooftop garden. But to make sure everyone can enjoy it, you will need to take steps to ensure accessibility.
Assess how people will get to and from the garden, and make sure that routes up and down are safe and clear. Elevators, wide pathways, and flat, even surfaces can help to make the space accessible for those with mobility limitations or disabilities.
Use Pollinators and Plants That Attract Wildlife
Pollinator plants are those that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinator creatures. These animals are drawn to the plants’ nectar or pollen, which is then transferred to other plants as they move between them.
Pollinator plants contribute to clean air, breathable oxygen, and the reproduction of essential flowering plants, including food crops. They also help to maintain a vibrant ecosystem and genetic diversity of plant life.
Enhance Your Space With Amenities
Your rooftop garden can be the ideal spot for people to sit and enjoy company or just take a break from their busy days amid a pleasant green space. Why not enhance your rooftop garden with amenities such as seating areas, pathways, lighting, shade structures, and recreational spaces?
Incorporate elements that encourage relaxation, socialization, and enjoyment of the outdoor environment. This will ensure that your rooftop space gets plenty of usage.
Plan for Maintenance
Your rooftop garden will need regular care, and it is important to plan for this. Develop a maintenance plan for your space, which should include watering, pruning, fertilizing, pest control, and regular inspections of any equipment or amenities.
If you and your team are too busy to keep up with the maintenance of your rooftop garden, consider hiring professional landscapers or gardeners to maintain the green space and keep it in optimal condition.
Get Started With Your Dream Rooftop Oasis
Creating your dream landscaped rooftop is much easier with the right support and expertise. Here at Cambridge, we have been supporting commercial and residential clients with their landscaping for more than 20 years. We would love yours to be our next project!
If you have any questions, would like a quotation, or would like to get started on your rooftop landscaping design, please contact us and a member of our team will be pleased to advise you. Looking for some inspiration? See our portfolio of past projects!