As the weather starts warming up and more people are considering their options for dealing with roofing damage or wear, you might be thinking about roofing work of your own. If it's time for a new roof on your home, this is a perfect opportunity to consider some alternatives to traditional roofing. For example, you may find that a living roof design is the best solution for you. Here's a look at a few things that you should think about before you decide. 

How Much Can Your Roof Support?

Start by talking to your roofer about how much your home can support. Many people think about living roofs from the visual perspective but overlook the practical perspective and the weight of the structure. You need to be sure that your roof can support that weight. Your roofing contractor can assess the structure of your roof and advise you of your weight limitations. They may also be able to recommend structural support options to help increase that weight limit if needed.

What's Your Climate Like?

If you've decided to consider the living roof as a viable option, you need to think about what your climate is like. This is an important factor when you're choosing the plants that you'll grow on your green roof. After all, the plants that thrive in a year-round warm climate, like Florida or Georgia, will not make it through a winter season in an area like New York. That's why it's important that you think about your climate.

Living somewhere with cold winters means choosing something that will survive the winter temperatures. Consider planting evergreen ground cover in your rooftop beds in these cases because evergreens will survive the winter months and thrive through the summer. As an added benefit, you'll have extra insulation from the evergreen beds to help keep your home warm all winter.

However, if you live somewhere that stays warm all year, you'll want tropical plants, shallow-rooting flowers, or warm-weather grass cover. That way, you can be sure that you won't have to worry about heat trouble with your rooftop beds.

These are just a couple of the key considerations for living roof installation. Talk with your residential roofing contractor today about your roofing solution options, including living roof design, and remember to ask about these factors as you try to make your decision. Your roofing contractor can help guide you through the process.

For more information on living roof designs, contact a residential roofer in your area.