What is a green roof.
Importance of green roofs.
Green roofs help reduce the urban heat island effect a condition in which urban environments absorb and trap heat.
To better understand the energy benefits of a rooftop garden it s important to understand the concept of an urban heat island the increase in temperature that s found in virtually all urban areas solar radiation warms up concrete asphalt and other man made materials much faster and hotter than it warms trees plants and greenery.
Species that will use green roofs for foraging include goldfinches starlings and wagtails.
Any damage the plants might do to the building such as the roots growing into the shingles will result in costly repairs.
Green roofs can act as a sound insulation absorbing and reducing noise levels.
Improves office productivity and health having a view or access to a green roof or similar natural vegetation can increase the productivity and concentration of staff as well as positive impacts on psychological well being.
A green roof is a layer of vegetation planted over a waterproofing system that is installed on top of a flat or slightly sloped roof.
A green roof provides a rainwater buffer purifies the air reduces the ambient temperature regulates the indoor temperature saves energy and encourages biodiversity in the city.
The lifespan of the roof increases by three folds with the installation of a green roof.
Insurance for green roofs is important due to the potential of droughts or unforeseen storms but also is expensive.
Green roofs also fill a void left by home construction providing food and shelter for native birds and insects which is especially important in urban and suburban areas.
They fall into three main categories extensive intensive and semi intensive.
A green roof s plants remove air particulates produce oxygen and.
Green roofs have been shown to have benefits for a range of invertebrate species.
Sedum flowers provide foraging for pollinators especially bees in late june.
Costs and financial benefits green roofing can extend the lifespan of a roof by over 200 by covering the waterproofing membrane with growing medium.
They are also important foraging habitat for birds.
Green roofs are simply more beautiful to look at than conventional roofs and intensive green roofs provide additional outdoor living space for homeowners.
The weight of the green roof may result in liability issues if the pressure of it causes sagging.
Although there are no precise definitions of them an extensive green roof has a shallow growing medium usually less than six inches with a modest roof load limited plant diversity minimal.
Reduction in energy use.
Along with curbing air pollution green roofs also limit the amount of noise reaching the inner part of buildings.
It is estimated that the installation of a green roof could increase the real estate value of an average house by about.
Unlike traditional black tar roofs green roofs reduce energy costs by absorbing heat instead of attracting it and.
Roof gardens and energy savings.
A green roof has many benefits at economic ecological and societal levels.
