| With global warming and pollution being ever-present | | | | rendered harmless. These plants also produce |
| topics on the news, it is important for everyone to | | | | oxygen. |
| contribute to making the world a cleaner place. One | | | | Not only are green roofs great for the environment, |
| way to do this is to use ecologically friendly materials | | | | but they are also an excellent investment. A properly |
| when building your home. The wave of the future is | | | | installed green roof can last at least twice as long as |
| green roofing. | | | | typical roofing material, thereby saving you thousands |
| A green roof is a roof that is covered with | | | | of dollars in repair and replacement costs. |
| vegetation. Essentially a rooftop garden, green roofs | | | | Green roofing can also significantly reduce your |
| were developed in the 1960s in Germany, and have | | | | heating and cooling bills throughout the year. |
| become quite popular in many European countries. It | | | | According to a recent study, building a green roof |
| is only recently however, that green roof technology | | | | can reduce your heating and cooling needs by 26%. |
| has begun to catch on in the U.S. | | | | In cities especially, changes need to be made to the |
| A green roof is excellent for city dwellers who often | | | | way that structures are built. Temperatures in cities |
| lack green space such as a yard or a deck. The | | | | are much higher than in surrounding areas because |
| addition of a green roof can provide a space to | | | | there is such a prevalence of buildings in a small area. |
| express one's creativity, and bring nature back to the | | | | These buildings are made with traditional materials, |
| city. In fact, by planting native vegetation, you can | | | | which absorb and then re-direct the sun's heat. Cities |
| invite insects, birds, and butterflies that would | | | | are therefore much hotter than rural areas where |
| otherwise have nowhere else to go. As an added | | | | there are less structures, and more green space. In |
| benefit, green rooftops are aesthetically pleasing and | | | | order to combat the rising temperatures, some cities |
| offer a visual contrast to the pavement and steel | | | | are offering incentives to builders to add green |
| that dominates the cityscape. | | | | roofing to their projects. |
| The environmental benefits of a green roof are | | | | If you decide to build a green roof, you need to |
| many, and include the reduction of water runoff that | | | | keep a couple of things in mind. First, there are two |
| occurs with typical homes. A reduction of runoff is | | | | types of green roofs. Traditional style roof gardens, |
| good for the entire community, as too much runoff | | | | which feature large plants or lawns, require a great |
| can result in flooding and water contamination. | | | | deal of maintenance. Feeding, watering, and soil care |
| Because green roofs feature soil and plant life, these | | | | are all necessary to keep this garden in good |
| roofs are able to absorb as much as 75% of falling | | | | condition. Extensive roof gardens on the other hand, |
| rainwater. This moisture is then released back into | | | | have only a thin layer of soil, and require very little |
| the air through condensation. A typical roof on the | | | | work to maintain. |
| other hand is built to be totally waterproof, so every | | | | Great for the environment, good for your pocket |
| drop of water runs off and drains into the sewers. | | | | book, and pleasing to the eye, green roofs are a |
| Besides reducing water runoff, green roofs are also | | | | budding trend that can have a positive impact on the |
| able to reduce the presence of toxins in the | | | | environment. Not only that, but a well constructed |
| environment. Pollutants in the air and water, as well | | | | green roof can increase the value of your home by |
| as carbon dioxide are absorbed by plant life and | | | | thousands of dollars. |