Why Green Roofs Are Important

While the use of either an extensive or intensive green roof is dependent upon structural capacities and cost maintenance requirements green roofs are important components of the green building process for several building owners and community planners.

Why green roofs are important. In summer the green roof protects the building from direct solar heat. The foot or more of growing medium needed for an intensive green roof creates a load of 80 150 pounds 36 68 kilograms per square foot. Additionally this natural protection against extreme heat enables green roofs to last twice as long as traditional rooftops. They are also important foraging habitat for birds.

This can reduce the risk of fire fire damage and the risk of fire spreading. Green roofs reduce the heat flux through the roof and less energy for cooling or heating can lead to significant cost savings. The future of green roofs. Green roofs reduce the amount of energy your house needs for heating saving you money.

Species that will use green roofs for foraging include goldfinches starlings and wagtails. Green walls and roofs can reduce temperature fluctuations of roof surfaces. European roofs can last between 30 and 50 years. Shading the outer surface of the building envelope has been shown to be more effective than internal insulation.

They can sustain shrubs trees walkways and benches with their complex structural support irrigation drainage and root protection layers. Another important benefit of green roofs is their ability to reduce and slow stormwater runoff in urban environments. The importance of green roofs to your building. 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.

Green roofs are also known as vegetative or eco roofs. The fire retardation provided by green roofs helps protect your home. Green roofs have been shown to have benefits for a range of invertebrate species. Understanding why green roofs matter is one of the most important steps in building a healthy urban ecology so come learn more today.

Sedum flowers provide foraging for pollinators especially bees in late june. A green roof s plants remove air particulates produce oxygen and provide shade. Intensive green roofs are essentially elevated parks. Green roofs are living systems that help manage stormwater protect buildings and provide habitat for plants and animals that need it.

They fall into three main categories extensive intensive and semi intensive. A green roof that has been properly installed and maintained should extend the lifespan of a roof 2 3 times its normal life.