Why Have A Green Roof

Green roofs are part of climate proof construction.

Why have a green roof.

Green roofs are not just a new architectural trend they have been around for thousands of years. In scandinavian countries layers of turf were laid onto the roofs of buildings to act as a thick insulation or as an alternative to wood. 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. A green roof or living roof is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium planted over a waterproofing membrane it may also include additional layers such as a root barrier and drainage and irrigation systems.

Container gardens on roofs where plants are maintained in pots are not generally considered to be true green roofs although. While all green roofs have similar functions each installation is unique so technical performance will vary by region climate building and green roof type and design. Because green roofs protect the roof membrane from harsh weather and ultraviolet uv radiation they can last twice as long traditional roofs. While technically green roofs have little or no actual insulating effect on the roof s r value or the measurement of how well a material resists the flow of heat green roofs do effectively absorb heat creating a buffer against temperature fluctuations.

The popularity of green roofs has increased in the united states due to their many benefits while pretty green roofs serve a much greater purpose than simple beautification. Green roofs benefit wildlife and ease the load on drainage systems by reducing water run off. They provide additional insulation and prolong the life of the roof by protecting its surface from the elements. It should also be light weight resistant to decomposition and compression and physically and chemically stable.

Immediate water runoff can be reduced by 50 90 greatly reducing drainage flow rates. These issues have thus given rise to the green roof an increasingly exciting development that can be built on top of the home or virtually any building. Unlike traditional black tar roofs green roofs reduce energy costs by absorbing heat instead of attracting it and. City dwellers also have the added bonus of looking upon surrounding roof tops and seeing greenery.

Green roofs reduce stormwater runoff. A green roof also known as a rooftop garden or a living roof is a vegetative layer grown on a rooftop. The benefits described below can be achieved by virtually all green roof systems and designs. A green roof has many benefits at economic ecological and societal levels.

It should have good consistent drainage and aeration with a structure that enables it to hold water. Green roof growing medium is composed of mineral aggregates and only a small amount of organic material. Benefits of a green roof. Settlers in the american plains in the late 1800s took it one step further and built houses solely from cut.