Jun
Green roofs, also known as eco-roofs, vegetated roofs, living roofs, and greenroofs, are becoming increasingly popular, although the market is weak and still underdeveloped in North America. They incorporate high quality waterproofing, root repellent system, drainage system, filter cloth and lightweight growing medium to make an economically sound, and psychologically easing environment right in the middle of the city. Rooftop ponds are another form of green roofs. These are often used to treat greywater. Vegetation planted in containers on the roof are not considered true green roofs, but there is some debate in this area.
Overall, green roofs are expected, when build and maintained properly, to increase the roofs life span two or three times! However, they do have much higher structural demands than traditional roofs; not all buildings can be retrofitted with green roofs.
These roofs can retain up to 75% of the rain water and gradually release it back into the atmosphere. This significantly cuts down on the pollution that goes back into the surrounding ecosystem. Installing a green roof isn’t cheap. The cost is five to thirty-five dollars a square foot and more. There are many benefits though. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, but it also reduces sound, and can reduce your summer cooling and winter heating losses by 26%!