Benefits of Green Roofing
- Rainwater retention/ Storm water management
- Reduces storm water runoff/ improve storm water management by reducing runoff and improving water quality
- Enhance building performance/Conserve Energy
- Energy efficient
- Reduce heat flux through the roof
- Less energy required for heating/cooling
- Shading the outer surface of a building has been shown to be more effective than internal insulation
- Easy & quick installation
- Minimal maintenance required
- Mitigate Urban Heat Island (reduce effect)
- Reduce noise & air pollution / Improve air quality
- Increase longevity of roofing membrane (expand roof life 2-3X’s, up to 60 years)
- Increase urban biodiversity by providing habitat for wildlife. Can serve as a habitat for many species
- Funding/grants available in many cities
Benefits of Vegetated Mat System
- No other green roof system is as streamlined to purchase, install and maintain
- Lightweight
- Instant Green Solution
- Easy & quick installation
- Economical
- Low maintenance
- Proven long-term performance
- Cost effective
Benefits Of Sedum
- Heat & drought tolerant, hardy, low nutrient needs, quick coverage, self-generating, low maintenance, low fire load, low profile
- Sedums have proven to work very well on the harsh/extreme rooftop environment
- They are succulents – they store water in their leaves so they require very little irrigation
- They have thick waxy leaves – preserve water and minimize water loss from leaf surfaces
- Sedums are CAM plants – they close the stomata during the day and uses stored CO2 taken in at night (and stored in acid form) for photosynthesis to minimize water loss
- Low profile plants that do not need trimming/mowing
- They regenerate themselves through seeds and cuttings
- Sedums flower profusely in the summer and provide food for pollinators such as bees and butterflies
Green roofing is a rapidly growing trend in the construction industry that offers a range of benefits for homeowners, building owners, the environment, and the local community. Green roofing is the practice of installing a vegetated layer on the surface of a building’s roof, usually composed of an array of vegetation and other materials such as growing medium, drainage mat, water retention fleece and gravel. This vegetation layer can be anything from a simple sedum blend to a more complex living ecosystem, depending on the type of green roof being installed. Green roofing has a number of benefits, the most obvious of which is the aesthetic value of having a living, green roof.
Green roofs are often used to create an attractive, natural look to buildings, while at the same time providing insulation, noise reduction, and even stormwater management. Green roofs can also help reduce energy costs. Plants absorb heat from the sun, which in turn helps to cool the building’s interior. Green roofs also act as insulation, slowing the transfer of heat from the inside of the building to the outside. This helps to reduce the amount of energy needed to cool the building in the summer, and heat it in the winter.
Green roofs can also be beneficial for local wildlife, as the vegetation provides habitat and food sources. Birds, insects, and other small animals can find refuge in the vegetation. Green roofing is also beneficial for air quality, as the plants absorb carbon dioxide and other pollutants from the air.
Finally, green roofing can help to reduce stormwater runoff. The vegetation on the roof absorbs and stores rainwater, helping to mitigate the effects of heavy rains and reducing the amount of runoff that enters local streams and rivers. This in turn reduces the risk of flooding and can help protect local ecosystems.
Overall, green roofing is a great way to improve the look of a building while also providing a range of benefits to the environment, the local community, and the building owner/ homeowner. With the increased popularity of green roofing, it’s likely that more and more buildings will be taking advantage of these benefits in the years to come.
