In countries, that experiences extreme temperatures, ventilation must be considered when thinking about new roofing replacement. Ventilation is important to maintain the integrity of the roof. Extreme high temperatures will increase energy consumption because air-conditioning systems tends to work twice to meet the cooling setting. On the other hand, ventilation is also important on cold temperatures because moisture will damage wood and metal components in a roof. In more extreme conditions, ice will accumulate on the roof, which will significantly damage the entire roofing material. For this reason, any house built today is encouraged to place any type of ventilation system. This way, modern houses are assured that roofing material’s life span will be extended. Roof contractors are very helpful to attach ventilation system to the roof. However, there are myths concerning roof ventilation that most people find disturbing. Let us go over some of these myths.

Roofing replacement myths

More vents are better – When homeowner think about installing new roofing replacement for old roofs, almost all of them will think that the more vents installed, the better is the ventilation. Just like any other roofing accessory, having the right number of vents is essential for optimum benefits. Too much vents will more or less do the opposite. For instance, in cold season, too much ventilation will allow cold air to enter and creates moisture. On the other hand, air conditioning system inside the house will be sucked up by the vents making them work harder. Ideally, there is a right number of vents depending on the size and width of the roof. In every three hundred square feet of roofing space, it will require one vent.

Ventilation is only beneficial during hot climates – Some people may think that hot air will be vented out during the summer, which leads to a relaxed and cool living space. However, when using air conditioning systems, the cool air will be vented out by the vents. This will in return increase the workload of the air-conditioning systems. Vents are also important during the winter because it keeps moisture away. The benefits of vents during the winter are much better than the benefits it provides during the summer.

Best ventilation systems are those run with electricity – This may be partly true since exhaust fans effectively create a negative air pressure in the room, which allows cold air outside to be sucked inside. However, on larger scale, exhaust fans may not be as effective as it is. Mechanical ventilations are better because hot air rises and escapes through the vent. The continuous rotating motion of mechanical vents will continues to allow hot air to escape and cool air to come in. this is very effective for larger areas because it has higher amount of hot hair rising.

Having the right vents on your new roofing replacement will remarkably offer the best result when it comes to ventilation. To have the best type of vents installed on your roofing replacement, hire a group of experts that can assess and calculate the number of vents that you need for your new roofing replacement.

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.

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.

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.

If you’re thinking about what it counts if you select one roofing material or another while making your plans to build a better roof the answer’s without question : yes! Different roofing materials mean different things to the longevity, quality, and environmental friendliness of your roof as well as your own private opinion of the roof. Whether we like to confess it or not, the kinds of roofs on a home or building impact how well we like the general look of that building.

Aesthetics

Seriously, ever looked at a beautiful home with a ugly roof and wondered exactly why it is that you actually do not like this house that may instead be perfect? How about a plain home that has got a wonderful tile or slate roof that makes you take another look when alternatively nothing about the exterior of the home would attract you. Roofing materials contribute in how much or small you like the whole building. If you do not listen to me, take a drive around the town and find the houses that you like and those you don’t.

Now, listen to the roof and see whether there are particular likenesses in the roofs of the houses you like as well as the ones you don’t like. You may be shocked at what you discover.

Carbon Footprint

Were you aware that the right roofing can make your house a much greener place to live? It is correct, whether or not your roof is black, white, or maybe green. Selecting the proper roofing materials can make a big effect on how much it costs to heat and / or cool your house. Lowering energy consumption also lowers the quantity of waste that’s produced in the making of that energy.

Other building materials ,eg tile or slate have a long life cycle that means they’re going to need to be removed and / or replaced a lot less often. Ultimately , roofs that are made from metal can be utterly recycled when all is done and dusted. Additionally , metal roofs can be installed over existing roofs which decreases the waste that’s made.

Longevity

As mentioned above, some roofing materials simply last more than others. When you think about the expenses concerned in roofing with these long-lasting materials compared against the expenses of frequent replacements you may find that more costly materials are a deal in time. Naturally, this is only a smart investment if you intend to stay in your house or with your business location for quite a while. Or you are giving the new owners a bonus once you make a decision to sell. In the final analysis, yes, roofing materials make a massive difference and are worth considering scrupulously when the time arrives to build your house or replace your roof.