WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT GREEN ROOFING – FAMILY ROOFING

Posted on by David Reid

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WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT GREEN ROOFING

WHAT IS GREEN ROOFING?

A green roof system is an addition made to the roof of an existing building for growing flora.  Depending on the type of green roof you install, the plants may be modular or have drainage layers.  However, all green roofs include a few important features, such as waterproofing and root repellent, to keep the structure safe and undamaged.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF GREEN ROOFING

There are two primary forms of green roofing: intensive and extensive.  These are differentiated by the amount of vegetation utilized. While extensive green roofs can support up to 25 pounds of vegetation per square foot, intensive green roofs can hold 150 pounds per square foot.

Another factor that differentiates these styles from one another is the amount of labor required to maintain them.  Intensive green roofs, as the name suggests, take a lot more work to manage, as they involve keeping the various types of plants separate and maintaining an actual garden.  Extensive green roofs, on the other hand, are left to grow naturally and without restriction, taking care of themselves as they would in the wild, and thus only requiring yearly weeding and fertilization.

For private homeowners, the intensive format allows you to pick and choose which flowers you would like represented, enabling you to sculpt the aesthetic you desire.  Extensive green roofs are designed only to be entered for their yearly maintenance, so they become more naturally overgrown than their intensive counterpart.  This makes extensive green roofs harder to navigate, meaning individuals can’t walk through the space to enjoy the flora.

Both green roofs utilize a layering system, which establishes a base for the planters through the use of various soils, mats, and other materials to retain the nutrients while forcing out any waste by-products.  Through these layers, a soil profile is mimicked, thus creating a drainage process that allows liquid to be filtered through safely while also nourishing the plants.

Recent studies and advancements have resulted in a new form of green roofing, known as comprehensive roofing.  This format is made to support a wide variety of plants, which is commonly found in intensive roofing, while allowing for a greater amount of vegetation to be supported, like extensive roofing.

BENEFITS OF GREEN ROOFING

COMMUNITY BENEFITS INCLUDE:

  • The installation of a green roof reduces the need to manage any storm water that accumulates, as well as the stress put on local sewer systems.

  • In urban settings, the inclusion of green roofs reduces the overall heat conducted by the buildings, covering many of the surfaces that would generate the most warmth.

  • The plants prevent the distribution of smog and dust while also catching many of the pollutants found in the air.

  • Green roofs can be public spaces, such as gardens or recreational areas, to be enjoyed by the community.

  • Due to the amount of work and money that goes into the creation and installation of green roofs, the use of them in a neighborhood can result in an increase of jobs and revenue for local businesses.

THERE ARE ALSO PERSONAL BENEFITS TO A HOMEOWNER, WHETHER YOU LIVE IN AN URBAN OR RURAL SETTING, FOR INSTALLING A GREEN ROOF, SUCH AS:

  • By creating a natural barrier, green roofs can reduce the amount of noise that comes into your home.

  • Since your roof is covered by plants, the amount of it exposed to the elements is limited, enabling the roof membrane to last much longer than if unprotected.

  • Green roofs reduce the amount of energy your house needs for heating, saving you money.

  • The fire retardation provided by green roofs helps protect your home.

  • Since green roofs utilize waste products that would otherwise end up in landfills, as well as extending the lifespan of your other household products like an HVAC system, the use of one reduces the amount of waste generated by your home.

  • By adding a green roof to your house, you’ll increase your property value due to the enhanced efficiency of your appliances and your home becoming more aesthetically pleasing.

NEGATIVES OF GREEN ROOFING

While green roofing can benefit you and the community, it is a costly process that can lead to some unforeseen expenses:

  • Insurance for green roofs is important, due to the potential of droughts or unforeseen storms, but also is expensive.

  • The weight of the green roof may result in liability issues if the pressure of it causes sagging.

  • Any damage the plants might do to the building, such as the roots growing into the shingles, will result in costly repairs.