What Kind of Roofing Allows Vines?

Preferred Vine Species

• Clinging vines have suckers and rootlets that can invade many roofing materials and cause damage that may result in leakage. English Ivy is a particularly destructive clinging vine that spreads rapidly and penetrates deeply. Boston Ivy and Virginia Creeper are vine species that are native to North America, grow gently on most surfaces with minimum invasion, and require very little pruning or maintenance. No vine species, however gentle, are recommended for use on wood, siding or painted surfaces.

Roof Application

• Given the restrictions on surfaces mentioned above, a painted metal roof, cedar shake, or any roof that is composed of individual pieces that can be compromised by invasive vine tendrils should be avoided. Ivy can be used in many applications as an economical alternative to a green roof as the greenery does not require the addition of heavy planting soil. Lightweight ivy may also be safely placed on the steeply sloped roofs that cannot support grass, shrubs, flowers and other greenery.

The Green Cloak Solution

• Any kind of roofing allows for vines if a trellis is installed to suspend the vegetation above the surface of the roof. This green roof retrofit, called a green cloak, offers all the benefits of ivy without any of the potential damage a surface-planted installation might incur. The vegetation also absorbs stormwater runoff to lessen the erosive impact of water that reaches the ground around buildings, reducing flooding potential.

A Real World Application

• A housing development in Costa Rica is using the green cloak on its Solar Vista Houses. A dome-shaped trellis, installed on a flat rooftop, provides a framework for the growth of cooling vines and tropical fruit. Beneath the trellis, the roof is painted a cooling white to reflect the light that filters through the trellis. The result is a beautiful and functional recreational, rooftop space. Since the vines are suspended, any roofing material may be used safely.