As people work to battle climate change, they are installing green roofs filled with eco-friendly components. Green roofs can be atop residential and commercial structures with flat or slanted roofs. They need drainage systems, waterproofing, and root blocking features to maintain the roof’s structural integrity. Before you install plants on your roof, consult with a company like Primo Roofing and Solar.
An extensive green roof can support 25 pounds per square foot, while an intensive green roof can support 150 pounds per square foot. Intensive roofs require significantly more work to care for the plant life, while the greenery on extensive roofs grows with little to no maintenance.
Structures have had green roofs for centuries, and the benefits make them worthwhile. Green roofs benefit the community as well as the individual property owner.
1. Managing Stormwater
Because green roofs collect rainwater and other precipitation, municipal drainage systems have less stormwater to manage. More green roofs can reduce the pressure placed on sewer systems that become overwhelmed with large amounts of rain in short time periods. Reducing the stress on drainage and sewer systems can help reduce community flooding in high-risk areas.
2. Reducing Heat
Dark roofs generate a significant amount of heat, which causes communities to increase their air conditioning use. Urban areas with excessive heat generated by dark roofs are called heat islands. When green roofs cover surfaces in heat islands, urban areas can experience some relief in the hottest months of the year.
Lowering air conditioning demand reduces air pollution and carbon emissions from electrical grids. Adding green roofs to heat islands removes pollutants giving an additional bonus to these exceptionally hot and wasteful areas.
The plants atop the roof use evapotranspiration to remove heat and insulate buildings. With better insulation, buildings with green roofs expend less energy on heating and cooling.
3. Economic Growth
Communities with green roofs often see economic growth, especially as more people flock to areas with eco-friendly commercial spaces. The green roofs create a pleasant atmosphere with clean air and fewer heat islands. Customers enjoy supporting companies that take visible steps to combat climate change. Green roofs add aesthetic value to communities, by enhancing their flora and fauna. As city dwellers become overwhelmed with concrete, they want more green spaces, and green roofs help them connect to nature and improve their mental well-being.
4. Quiet Your Home
On a personal level, green roofs create a natural sound barrier that makes homes quieter. If the garden is intensive, homeowners can enjoy the quiet area atop their roofs when they work in their gardens.
5. Reducing Roof Maintenance Costs
Green roofs have high upfront costs, but they reduce the need for maintenance and repairs. The roofing components like the membranes, filters, and structural support are no longer exposed to the elements. Damage from weather, heat, cold, and ultraviolet rays stop, reducing the need for repairs and saving money.
6. Increasing Property Value
Adding a green roof increases your property value, as more homebuyers want properties with eco-friendly features. The value increases because of the aesthetic appearance and reduced reliance on the electrical grid.
