One of the newest trends in the roofing world is green roofing. Also known as a living roof, this type of roof comprises a waterproofing membrane with a growing medium and vegetation. Green roofs can cover a partial or entire roof with vegetation.
Top Considerations For a Green Roof
Green roofing can be implemented on all types of flat roofs, regardless of whether the structure is a multi-family home or a commercial shopping center. Before making this type of investment, have the building’s entire structure examined by a professional to ensure that can handle the weight of the green roofing materials.
Furthermore, consider the areas of optimal sunlight and shade throughout the roof and how much water the area gets so that you can select plants that will survive best in that type of environment. You also need to determine whether or not you want an intensive green roof that you can use as an accessible rooftop garden or an extensive green roof that simply takes care of itself. Once you get your green roof established, it can provide many great environmental benefits.
Absorb Carbon Dioxide
When you have greenery on your roof, it will naturally undergo photosynthesis. As the plants take in sunlight and carbon dioxide, they synthesize and produce oxygen as a byproduct. This is great news for us as harmful carbon dioxide can be reduced while we enjoy more fresh oxygen to breathe.
Reduce Stormwater Runoff
The biggest challenge with any roof is helping to divert stormwater runoff. With traditional roofing materials like asphalt shingles, clay tiles, and metal, water easily runs down these materials and into a gutter system. On the other hand, with a green roof, the plant material layer will naturally absorb water similar to that of a sponge. This absorption helps minimize the water that goes through your gutter system and can prevent unwanted flooding during times of heavy precipitation.
Limit Heat Absorption
One of the biggest struggles that any roof will have during the summertime is heat absorption. Because there is an intense amount of sunlight beating down on the roof all day, traditional roofing materials can absorb that heat. This will not only heat your attic but can also end up pushing heat down into your home. This can lead to higher cooling bills throughout the summer months as you run your air conditioning system more often.
The beauty of a green roof is that it acts as a great insulator for any building. The plant matter, as well as the growing medium, aren’t going to absorb a large amount of heat. Rather, green roofs will actively work to remove heat from the air via a process known as evapotranspiration.
Habitat Creation
Another great benefit of green roofs that is commonly overlooked is their ability to create new habitats for wildlife. All pollinators like bees and other transient animals and pests need a short-term resting place while traveling through urban areas. These spaces can also provide important forage for animals like birds to help ensure their longevity.
Reduce Urban Heat Islands
If you look at different landscapes through a thermal lens, you are easily able to spot cities as they generally have a warmer overall temperature surrounded by cooler, non-populous areas. This is because concrete and asphalt both absorb radiation from the sun. As the temperatures increase, so does the energy consumption of homes as they’re running their air conditioning systems more often. Fortunately, green roofs are a great way to help reduce this absorption of solar radiation and go a long way in helping to prevent urban heat islands.
Lower Energy Bills
Because green roofs are effective at limiting heat absorption throughout the worst of the summer months, you don’t have to worry about excessive heat entering your home through the attic. Furthermore, green roofing acts as a great insulator to help keep cold air inside your home during the summer months. When you’re actively able to combat heat coming in while retaining cold air that is produced, you can lower your utility bills throughout the summertime. This goes a long way in reducing your overall carbon footprint.
Longer Roof Lifespan
One lesser-known benefit of investing in a green roof is that it has a fairly decent lifespan. It’s expected to last around 40 to 50 years, which is almost double what traditional asphalt shingles will last you. Most people will only need to invest in one or possibly two green roofs throughout their entire lifetime. The best part is the majority of the roofing materials are recyclable and won’t end up in a landfill.
Other Benefits
There’s no doubt that green roofs provide numerous benefits for the environment around you. However, they can also provide many other types of benefits in your daily life.
Financial Incentives
Both state and local municipalities commonly offer financial incentives to home and business owners that invest in green building methods. This is especially common in some of the bigger cities that are dealing with excessive smog and pollution. A green roof can be a great way to receive various financial incentives and help you recoup some of the cost of installing it.
Enhanced Psychological Well-Being
One tried and true method that has been used for centuries to help enhance psychological well-being is interactions with nature. Whether it’s taking a walk through the woods or jogging through your local park, that natural connection to nature reduces blood pressure and stress. A green roof can also provide the same psychological well-being for those who come into contact with it regularly.
Noise Reduction
Another benefit of green roofs that simply can’t be ignored especially in city environments is their ability to reduce noise. Because green roofs are a great insulator, they help create a thick barrier that dampens the sound effects from the outdoors. This can go a long way in helping to quiet down your space and make it more relaxing to be in.
Double As a Food Garden
While many of the pictures online that you’ll find of green roofs will have trees, ferns, succulents, and flowers, they’re not the only green matters available. You can easily include some of your very own edible plants so that your green roof can double as a veggie garden for your family. This can help reduce your monthly grocery bills and your overall reliance on store-bought goods.
Enhanced Home Value
With the popularity of green roofs on the rise, it’s no surprise that investing in one is a great way to boost the overall value of your home. Home buyers want to invest in more eco-friendly building construction. Plus, as the many benefits of green roofs become more widely known, such as their insulating ability, they’re becoming even more desirable for homeowners looking to reduce their living costs.
Reliable Green Roofing Service
Jimmy's Roofing offers reliable green roofing services to the entire Seattle, WA community. We can also assist with all your roof inspection, repair, maintenance, replacement, flat roof, shingle roof, and commercial needs. Simply give us a buzz today to schedule your next consultation for roof maintenance with one of our highly skilled roofers.
#thejimmysWAY