The US Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has been trying to come up with roof materials and plans which help to save energy. Since it is the only part of the building which remains exposed to sun, it tends to absorb a lot of energy thereby increasing cooling costs.

Environmental Benefits Of Green Roofs

Apart from a marked decrease in cooling costs, green roofing technology has helped reduce heat loss and energy consumption during winter months also. They help bring down storm water run-off and filter pollutants especially carbon dioxide out of the air.

They also help increase the life span of the roof and also contribute to LEED points for the building. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification provides independent, third-party verification for your building project and determines if the building is indeed environmentally responsible, profitable and a healthy place to live and work at.

Green Roofs – Save Money and the Environment

Generally, it consists of a vegetative layer grown on rooftops. These roofs provide shade and help reduce heat and temperature of the surface and surrounding air. Depending on the load capabilities and the structure of your building, many include a variety of grasses, flowers or trees of different heights. In these systems, plants and soil replace the conventional roof coverings and the same layer of plants and soil protects the water proofing membrane.

Installing a green roof is a complex task and it is best to consult a landscape architect and an independent roofing contractor to analyze the effectiveness for your home or office.

The US Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has been trying to come up with roof materials and plans which help to save energy. Since it is the only part of the building which remains exposed to sun, it tends to absorb a lot of energy thereby increasing cooling costs.

Environmental Benefits Of Green Roofs

Apart from a marked decrease in cooling costs, green roofing technology has helped reduce heat loss and energy consumption during winter months also. They help bring down storm water run-off and filter pollutants especially carbon dioxide out of the air.

They also help increase the life span of the roof and also contribute to LEED points for the building. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification provides independent, third-party verification for your building project and determines if the building is indeed environmentally responsible, profitable and a healthy place to live and work at.

Green Roofs – Save Money and the Environment

Generally, it consists of a vegetative layer grown on rooftops. These roofs provide shade and help reduce heat and temperature of the surface and surrounding air. Depending on the load capabilities and the structure of your building, many include a variety of grasses, flowers or trees of different heights. In these systems, plants and soil replace the conventional roof coverings and the same layer of plants and soil protects the water proofing membrane.

Installing a green roof is a complex task and it is best to consult a landscape architect and an independent roofing contractor to analyze the effectiveness for your home or office.

What are green roofs?

Green roofs or eco-roofs are the modern versions, and have many of the benefits of the ‘sod roofs’ that have been used in Scandinavia for centuries. Green roofs have risen rapidly in popularity, particularly in Germany and the Netherlands, and now in the UK.

There are 2 types of modern green roof systems, intensive and extensive. Intensive green roof systems are generally for heavier landscape constructions on flat roofs, whereas extensive systems can be installed over any deck and contain a number of layers including vapour retarder, insulation and waterproofing membrane layers beneath the vegetation. The general idea is to firstly provide a waterproof layer on a flat roof (or angled up to 45 degrees), and then put a thin layer of living vegetation on top of this.

What is the point of a green roof?

A green roof / eco-roof / living roof as the name suggests, has a more positive environmental and energy efficient impact than a conventional roof. A green roof provides an ecologically friendly space which ‘gives back’ to its environment rather than harming or taking away from it.

Unlike ‘roof gardens’ which are traditionally for city dwellers with no ground level garden space, green roofs are not as ‘heavy’ i.e. they only have a thin layer of vegetation (sedum and mosses). Roof gardens have large amounts of soil and all manner of plants, which in turn means work and maintenance are required throughout the year. Green roofs however are virtually self-sustaining, perhaps requiring some weeding once a year, or an application of slow-release fertiliser.

There are a number of other benefits to green roofs:

Rainfall is trapped in the vegetation and released slowly, thus helping to prevent flooding.

The layer of vegetation acts as natural insulation, thus reducing your heating / energy consumption and bills.

The insulating properties of the vegetation layer also reduce any extremes of temperature inside a building i.e. the sun’s heat is absorbed during the day keeping the inside of the building cool, and this heat is retained at night keeping the building warm.

Green roofs provide a fantastic environment / micro habitat for wildlife e.g. beetles, spiders, birds, bees and butterflies.

A green roof is visually appealing and contributes to a more ‘natural’ looking environment in a built-up area.

How can you get a green roof?

Find a specialist flat roofing company in your area, and ask them for a survey and quote.

What are green roofs?

Green roofs or eco-roofs are the modern versions, and have many of the benefits of the ‘sod roofs’ that have been used in Scandinavia for centuries. Green roofs have risen rapidly in popularity, particularly in Germany and the Netherlands, and now in the UK.

There are 2 types of modern green roof systems, intensive and extensive. Intensive green roof systems are generally for heavier landscape constructions on flat roofs, whereas extensive systems can be installed over any deck and contain a number of layers including vapour retarder, insulation and waterproofing membrane layers beneath the vegetation. The general idea is to firstly provide a waterproof layer on a flat roof (or angled up to 45 degrees), and then put a thin layer of living vegetation on top of this.

What is the point of a green roof?

A green roof / eco-roof / living roof as the name suggests, has a more positive environmental and energy efficient impact than a conventional roof. A green roof provides an ecologically friendly space which ‘gives back’ to its environment rather than harming or taking away from it.

Unlike ‘roof gardens’ which are traditionally for city dwellers with no ground level garden space, green roofs are not as ‘heavy’ i.e. they only have a thin layer of vegetation (sedum and mosses). Roof gardens have large amounts of soil and all manner of plants, which in turn means work and maintenance are required throughout the year. Green roofs however are virtually self-sustaining, perhaps requiring some weeding once a year, or an application of slow-release fertiliser.

There are a number of other benefits to green roofs:

Rainfall is trapped in the vegetation and released slowly, thus helping to prevent flooding.

The layer of vegetation acts as natural insulation, thus reducing your heating / energy consumption and bills.

The insulating properties of the vegetation layer also reduce any extremes of temperature inside a building i.e. the sun’s heat is absorbed during the day keeping the inside of the building cool, and this heat is retained at night keeping the building warm.

Green roofs provide a fantastic environment / micro habitat for wildlife e.g. beetles, spiders, birds, bees and butterflies.

A green roof is visually appealing and contributes to a more ‘natural’ looking environment in a built-up area.

How can you get a green roof?

Find a specialist flat roofing company in your area, and ask them for a survey and quote.

Global warming is a major threat for the earth and its inhabitants, so it is important that we all contribute towards making earth a better and safer place to live in. One way that we can help to save the earth from pollution and global warming is by constructing green roofing. Green roofs are known as vegetated layers that sit on top of the conventional roof surfaces of a building. Green roofing is an excellent option for city people to have greenery around their home, who lack green space such as yard or deck. Apart from offering pollution free environment it also provides opportunity for expressing one’s creativity and brings nature back to the city. Green roofing are also known for providing aesthetically pleasing effect and offer a visual contrast to the pavement and steel that mostly dominates the city. 

Green roofing have many environmental benefits such as, it reduces water runoff that occur with typical homes. It is also good for the community as too much runoff can result in flooding and water contamination. Green roofing are made of soil and plant life and are able to absorb as much as 75% of falling rain water. Through condensation this moisture is release back into the air.  Green roofing is also able to reduce the presence of toxins in the environment. The plants of the roof absorb the pollutants present in air and water and also the carbon-di-oxide to make the environment safe and clean. The plant produces oxygen that also makes the air free from contamination and impurities.

Green roofing is also an excellent investment as a properly installed green roof last at least twice as long as typical roofing material, thereby saving one’s repair and replacement costs. It also significantly reduces heating and cooling bills. Temperatures in cities are much higher than in surrounding areas because of prevalence of buildings in a small area. Built with traditional material these building absorb and redirect the sun’s heat making the cities much warmer than rural areas where there are less building and more green space. Many cities are offering incentives to builders for having green roofing to their buildings.

Basically there are two types of green roofs such as intensive green roofs and extensive green roofs. Intensive roof garden feature large plants or lawns and require a great deal of maintenance such as feeding, watering and soil care. Extensive roof garden has only a thin layer of soil and requires very little work to maintain. These kinds of green roofing are good for the environment and also pleasing to the eye. It not only providing positive impact on the environment but it is also increasing the value of one’s home.

More Green Roofs Articles

Global warming is a major threat for the earth and its inhabitants, so it is important that we all contribute towards making earth a better and safer place to live in. One way that we can help to save the earth from pollution and global warming is by constructing green roofing. Green roofs are known as vegetated layers that sit on top of the conventional roof surfaces of a building. Green roofing is an excellent option for city people to have greenery around their home, who lack green space such as yard or deck. Apart from offering pollution free environment it also provides opportunity for expressing one’s creativity and brings nature back to the city. Green roofing are also known for providing aesthetically pleasing effect and offer a visual contrast to the pavement and steel that mostly dominates the city. 

Green roofing have many environmental benefits such as, it reduces water runoff that occur with typical homes. It is also good for the community as too much runoff can result in flooding and water contamination. Green roofing are made of soil and plant life and are able to absorb as much as 75% of falling rain water. Through condensation this moisture is release back into the air.  Green roofing is also able to reduce the presence of toxins in the environment. The plants of the roof absorb the pollutants present in air and water and also the carbon-di-oxide to make the environment safe and clean. The plant produces oxygen that also makes the air free from contamination and impurities.

Green roofing is also an excellent investment as a properly installed green roof last at least twice as long as typical roofing material, thereby saving one’s repair and replacement costs. It also significantly reduces heating and cooling bills. Temperatures in cities are much higher than in surrounding areas because of prevalence of buildings in a small area. Built with traditional material these building absorb and redirect the sun’s heat making the cities much warmer than rural areas where there are less building and more green space. Many cities are offering incentives to builders for having green roofing to their buildings.

Basically there are two types of green roofs such as intensive green roofs and extensive green roofs. Intensive roof garden feature large plants or lawns and require a great deal of maintenance such as feeding, watering and soil care. Extensive roof garden has only a thin layer of soil and requires very little work to maintain. These kinds of green roofing are good for the environment and also pleasing to the eye. It not only providing positive impact on the environment but it is also increasing the value of one’s home.

More Green Roofs Articles