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Green roofs are incredibly long-lasting. Some have life spans of up to 40 or 50 years. Since the roofs help to protect the rest of your home's roofing system, they can also extend the life of your existing roof.

Regular maintenance and inspections will help you get the most out of your green roof and ensure it lasts as long as possible.

Most traditional lenders will not loan against a house with a leaking roof, and some lenders won’t lend against a home with a roof near the end of its lifespan. If the roof on your new home is in poor condition, you may need to have the seller offer a credit for a roof replacement after closing, or you can opt for a renovation loan—also called a 203k loan—to bundle the house and the roof replacement into one loan.

Thatched roofs last for between 30 and 50 years in most cases, which is longer than most asphalt roofs. However, getting that life span from your thatched roof requires more maintenance than you’d need for most other materials, including fireproofing, brushing, cleaning, and rethatching as the material gets worn down. You’ll also need routine inspections to ensure you’re not at risk of leaks.

Building code allows 24-inch on-center spacing for roof trusses. However, you can install them on 12- or 16-inch centers to handle large loads or other exceptional circumstances. In cases such as covering a wide span or supporting alternative roofing materials, where a structural engineer needs to evaluate or create a design for your trusses, the plans will indicate the spacing.