A green roof is not just a roof that has been painted green. Rather, it a roof that has been planted with plants. Usually, sedums or some other variety of plant with low water needs is selected so that the homeowner does not have to water or really even maintain the roof once it is in place. However, the process of having a green roof installed is still a bit pricey and time-consuming. Why, then, do people go through this hassle when it would be a lot easier to just have shingles installed? As it turns out, green roofing has a long list of benefits – and not just for homeowners.
Green roofs release oxygen back into the atmosphere.
Plants release oxygen. This is definitely something to be grateful for since you and all other humans need to breathe oxygen to survive. As the world becomes more urbanized and developed, there are not as many places to plant trees and grass as there once were. Utilizing the space on top of your roof to plant some plants is a great way to make the most of that space and give back to the planet.
Green roofs help absorb carbon dioxide.
Along with releasing oxygen, plants also absorb carbon dioxide. Since carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas and contributes to climate change, planting some plants to absorb it is a very smart move for the planet! If you are trying to build a net-zero home or at least a home that meets green building standards, then a green roof can help with that. Some areas may even give you a tax cut for having a green roof.
Green roofs help reduce stormwater runoff in the yard.
Green roofs have a layer of substrate that absorbs water so that the plants planted within that substrate can access that water. As a result, a lot less water runs off a green roof than runs off a typical shingle or tile roof. This makes green roofs a really good choice in low areas where water tends to puddle and for homes that are built on clay soil that doesn't absorb much water. If reducing runoff is a major reason why you are considering a green roof, you can ask your roofing contractor to use an even thicker layer of substrate than normal or to use a more absorbent substance for the substrate.
Green roofs are good insulators.
These days, insulation is everything. Everyone is trying to conserve energy in their home, and good insulation goes a really long way towards helping to do that, both in the winter and in the summer. In the winter, a well-insulated roof keeps heat from escaping your home. In the summer, a well-insulated roof ensures that the sun's rays don't turn your upstairs into a toaster! Green roofing offers superior insulating abilities. Both the soil and the plants themselves are resistant to heat exchange.
Green roofs help prevent heat accumulation in urban areas.
If you live in an urban area where the homes are close together, then you have likely experienced the urban heat island effect firsthand. This is when all of the black roofs and pavement in an area absorb a lot of heat, causing the space overall to get warmer. This doesn't make for a comfortable city, and it drives up cooling bills, too. Because they reflect more sunlight than black roofs, green roofs help reduce the urban heat island effect.
Why would you go through the hassle of having a green roof installed? Because it has a ton of benefits, of course. Talk to your roofing contractor to learn more.
Share17 December 2020
When it came time to install a new roof on my home, I had no idea where to start. In fact, I was exploring roofing options that were a really poor fit in my climate. It wasn't until I reached out to a local roofer that I got some lessons on how to choose the right roofing material for my home and the weather exposure it is subjected to. I built this site to share my journey, including the mistakes I made and the things that I learned along the way. If you are considering replacing your home's roof, I hope that the information here can help to guide you through the process.
