Sustainability and planet-conscious designs are a growing consideration for commercial and residential construction alike. One way to incorporate sustainable practices into a new build or renovation project is to install a green roof.
A green roof is an eco-friendly roofing option that incorporates vegetation and plants to create a living layer of protection on top of a building. It can look like a traditional garden featuring herbs, fruits, and vegetables or it could simply be a bed of grass or moss. This type of roofing offers an environmentally friendly, energy-efficient alternative to traditional materials. There are several benefits to choosing a green roof. Let’s explore what advantages they can provide.
Pollution and poor air quality are issues we must confront as we continue to address climate change. Green roofs have the ability to remove a portion of dust, soot, and other pollutants from the air. Think of plants as nature’s air filter. They take in carbon dioxide and convert it into the oxygen other living organisms (us) need to survive. Green roofs can be especially useful in urban areas with smog and pollution issues.
Did you know urban cities can get up to 5 degrees hotter than their neighboring countryside communities? This is due to a phenomenon called the urban heat island effect. Typical, traditional roofing material can get up to a whopping 150 degrees in the summertime. When you cram a ton of buildings next to roads and other infrastructure this can create a heat absorption super machine that continually re-emits the sun's heat. Green roofs can help mitigate this effect.
Plants can efficiently absorb about 50% of the sun’s heat and reflect 30%. Green roofs not only help create a cooler environment around a building but also inside it. This insulating effect can reduce your cooling needs and save you money on your energy bill.
Solar panels are more efficient in cooler temperatures. That’s because they draw energy from the sun’s light, not its heat. When sunlight photon particles hit a solar panel’s photovoltaic cells, it sends the electrons into motion. Since electrons are at low energy in colder temperatures, the high energy of the sunlight will cause a greater difference in voltage which will lead to more energy creation. Since green roofs are notably cooler than traditional roofing, they offer a more optimal environment for solar panels.
Too much rainwater can lead to issues in some areas. There’s a peak level of water that can be held as groundwater or whisked away by the sewage system. If this level is exceeded, your risk of experiencing a flood increases. Green roofs help create an extra rainwater buffer, absorbing water within its plants, substrate, and drainage layer. As the plant uses up the water, it purifies the water before it evaporates back into the atmosphere.
Green roofs can support their own miniature habitats for birds, butterflies, and other insects. City living isn’t commonly associated with nature. But even though it seems like the concrete jungle could never support biodiversity, green roofs may be the key to living in greater harmony with the natural world. Urban ecology and urban wildlife programs are a growing movement aimed at providing more places for creatures to mate, seek shelter, and travel through cities. Opting for a green roof is one way to contribute to this mission.
The plants used to create green roofing acts as a bonus layer of protection for your roof. They protect the waterproof membrane on top of your roof from excessive moisture, UV rays, wind, and temperature fluctuations. Green roofing can actually last up to 60 years or even longer if well maintained. That alone will save you money down the line and assure the interior of your building is well protected for years to come.
Some green roofs can use herbs, vegetables, and fruit plants as part of their landscaping. This is a great way to introduce more local, urban agriculture to our cities. The possibility of rooftop gardens is especially compelling for restaurants and other types of food businesses. Green roofing offers a way for these establishments to switch to a carbon-neutral “farm-to-table” approach rather than depending on refrigerated freight trucks or planes to provide their produce.
I can’t recommend 970 Services enough! We had extensive hail damage & Andrew Golding came out & was so kind, grace filled & helpful. We had a hard time dealing with insurance & they partnered with me on the process making the roof replacement the easiest part of our hail damage experience. A++ you can’t go wrong! I absolutely would hire them again in a heartbeat.
We are very pleased with 970 Services work and their customer service. Our roof was damaged from hail and needed to be replaced. Aaron worked with our insurance supplemental team and ensured we got the full amount that was owed to us. He also made sure the work was done correctly on our roof with a post inspection. Very professional and friendly. Thank you 970 Services for all your help! Definitely recommend!
Steve and his crew have done several projects at our house (water remediation, painting, plumbing, minor electrical, etc.), and I would use them again in a heartbeat. They are professional, responsive, and do top quality work. Their detailed estimates show where every penny goes, and they let you know if something needs to change. It's a great feeling to know that I can reach out to Steve if there's a problem, and he'll find a way to solve it.
We had a water leak from our hot water heater and our insurance company recommended 970 Services. I cannot tell you how great they were. Steve scheduled us quickly, did a very thorough inspection of damages, set up drying equipment and got things headed in the right direction. He then coordinated all necessary sub contractors for drywall, flooring, and even requested to be present when the insurance adjuster arrived so that they couldn’t skimp on us. This is the company you want to work with and I will never call anyone else! Thank you Steve & 970!
WOW is the best word to describe our experience with this company and it’s employee’s! Talk about having integrity in what you do!!😃 The professionalism, attention to detail, craftsmanship and personable interactions blew my husband and me away. We have had plenty of not so good experiences and this company has restored our faith to trust a precessional to not only do their job well but to go above and beyond expectations. I’ve referred them to my family and friends and would refer them to any stranger. Thank you guys for taking such good care of our home! C. Rhamy
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