All buildings and even industrial set ups have stared to grow plants on the roof as it creates a sense of aesthetics and also contributes to environment in many ways. You can make use of the water proof sheaths or covering layer over the roof to grow plants and shrubs over them as they avoid moisture formation on the walls there by damaging them, water drains and sprinkling systems are designed accordingly.

The method of green roofing is very popular in Chicago and all other states. They are known for their eco- friendly metal roofs. They are any day better when compared with regular conventional roofs in several ways like:
• It can absorb the rain water as it as the foliage cover on the roof.
• Adequate insulation and ventilation are provided.
• It helps in creating a good eco-system and helps the flora and fauna to live.
• It can control the amount of heat produced by carbon emitting industrial plants and factories.
• It also helps in brining rain fall by reducing the temperature in the air.
• You can also save the conventional energy by utilizing solar power by installing the solar panels and photovoltaic cells on the roofs.
• There is no formation of waste or scrap after they have been used as these metal roofs are wholly recyclable.
• It can keep your warm in winters by lessening the heat loss and cools in summer.
• The value of the house can be increased by using metal roofs.
• The installation and maintenance is very easy.

Green roofs or eco friendly roofs have their disadvantages too. Their cost is much higher than regular roofs. The waterproofing needs to be of the highest standard to ensure there is no leakage whatsoever.

The traditional roofs such as asphalt shingles can stand for 15years, and the wooden shakes can manage to extend its life a little higher than the asphalt, but when we see the metal roofs if you paint it regularly and maintain it well it will surely stay for even 50years. There are no repairs or replacements required so it is very cost effective, even though you have spent more on purchase. Aluminum, galvanized iron and steel, copper, zinc and lead are some types of metal roofs.

In recent times, roof standing seams are being favored. In this type of roofing systems, vertical metal sheets are stuck or seamed side by side with the help of adhesives. These interlocked standing seams look aesthetically pleasing, run off rain water and snow. They are quite low maintenance as compared with asphalt or stone shingles. Their being light spells ease and convenience of installation. You need to check for signs of corrosion, rusting, pitting and un-seaming especially during rains.IRoof standing seams are very popular in these days. These roofing systems are constructed by sticking metal sheets vertically or use adhesives to set the seams side by side. The standing seams which are interlocked looks pleasing and can withstand rain, heat and snow. It involves a lesser maintenance when compared with asphalt or stone shingles. The installation is very easy.  In the rainy seasons do check for signs of corrosion, rusting, pitting and un-seaming.

Before installing a metal roof you must clarify all your doubts with the contactor. Roofs can be customized according to your specific requirements. You must make sure you adjust and tweak all the roofing needs like roofing materials, roof extensions, the metal panels (fabrication and molding), the interlocking system, and solar panel installation to your roofing systems. Metal roofs can be recycled completely. Ensure you get the certification and the warranty for the job he is doing. Check whether the roofing technicians are given insurance cover and worker’s compensation. Better Business Bureau will help you to get more information’s about the Chicago roofing companies and their contactors as they maintain all records even any grievances /complaints against any roofing company in the entire state or country. You can check for the user reviews and ratings just by browsing the web.

The roof repair expert will start their work only after conducting a complete and thorough inspection of the roof before suggesting the type of repair. He will also suggest you whether you roof to be re-laying or repairs of the existing structure. They normally suggest the most affordable and practical roofing for your house or office depending on its design, location and aesthetics. The expert will make you aware of the three most integral and basic aspects of roofing namely insulation, ventilation and waterproofing. If cost is the major concern then he will probably ask you to install a metal roof because of its obvious benefits over traditional roofing as it provides the best protection and is a prudent investment choice in the long run. Metal roofs will also fetch you a lower insurance premiums if your house is under insurance cover.

Steven Peck is the President and Founder of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities. In this video he talks about the many benefits of green roofs including how they manage storm water, mediate the urban heat island (UHI)effect and provide area for integrating agriculture into our urban environments. Check out www.greenroofs.org for more details.

In 2008 the Government’s Water Strategy for England acknowledged that the below-ground piped systems were insufficient when coping with extreme rainfall and identified the importance of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) and green roofs, for climate change mitigation and water management.

The Green roofs inclusion within the SUDS strategies have been limited to date however must surely be desirable, as they:

Extend the roofs waterproofing durability

Reduce energy consumption

Provide amenity space

The feasibility of the green roofs within the SUDS strategies shall therefore be evaluated against SUDS design criteria.

1)      Water Quality Improvement by ways of reducing water runoff velocity, filtering pollutants such as nitrogen, copper, zinc, lead and calcium.

2)      Amenity Benefits by ways of providing green space (e.g. roof gardens, communal parkland, areas of recreation and entertainment. Increased access to greener and cleaner spaces is believed to benefit health by reducing blood pressure, and reducing heart rates.

3)      Ecological Enhancements: Almost 90% of England’s population live in approximately 10% of land cover. Habitat lost to urban development therefore lowers species diversity-threatening future food and medicine sources. Whilst not directly replacing habitats green roofs can create compensatory habitat for a variety of flora and fauna.

4)      Hydraulic Performance: Conventional drainage systems typically convey greater and faster run off however green roofs manage storm water more sustainably through the evaporation of rainfall intercepted by the plant surfaces.

Lowering Runoff Volumes…

Long term research from the University of Sheffield, has highlighted has indeed indicated that green roof’s are indeed effective in reducing run off volumes.

Reducing Flood Risk….

The response to extreme events is clearly of most interest in managing flood risk….the green roofs performance in this response was equally noteworthy: Of 30 significant events, a hydrologic benefit was evident for every event, whether this be reducing the run off of water or reducing the volume of water.

With previous research haven been investigated different roof configurations and in different climates, worldwide, divergent results are inevitable. There are also seasonal trends.

The Future?

Hopefully in the future green roofs schemes will feature more prodominantly within SUDS Strategies, as they must recognise the physics-based research of the hydraulic benefits.

Watch more videos on www.greenroofs.com Learn the basics of greenroofs here: what living roofs are, what they do, and how they help solve the most pressing ecological and developmental issues facing the built environment showing projects from around the world.