Green Roofing Facts

Green roof systems are classified as.

Green roofing facts.

Intensive green roofs are essentially elevated parks. Here s a great infographic with some cool facts about ford s green roof in summer depending on the plants and depth of growing medium green roofs retain 70 90 percent of the precipitation that falls on them. Depending on the structure the green roof is being built on green roofs can either be intensive or extensive. An intensive green roof is heavier more expensive and more complex than its counterpart.

The green roof acts as a bio filter basically as a big sponge that sucks up dirt and pollution in the air. Green roofs help reduce the urban heat island effect a condition in which urban environments absorb and trap heat. Extensive green roofs have a shallow soil base usually a formulated compost two to six inches deep. For example a grass roof with a 4 20 cm 1 6 7 9 inches layer of growing medium can hold 10 15 cm 3 9 5 9 inches of water.

They can sustain shrubs trees walkways and benches with their complex structural support irrigation drainage and root protection layers. A green roof s plants remove air particulates produce oxygen and provide shade. Protective coatings reflective membranes garden systems slate metal tile concrete and photovoltaic. Traditional green roofs the type with plants going on them don t leak if they are installed properly.

Green roofing materials are longer lasting than asphalt roofing tiles. Green roofing systems consist of several layers including vegetation growing medium and protective root barrier. Reflective roof coatings. This is because the plants and soil protect your roof from sun damage and extreme temperature changes.

A green roof or living roof generally incorporates a system of layers that include waterproofing drainage soil and growing vegetation. Additionally this natural protection against extreme heat enables green roofs to last twice as long as traditional rooftops. The foot or more of growing medium needed for an intensive green roof creates a load of 80 150 pounds 36 68 kilograms per square foot. They act as a kind of trap for storm water absorbing 50 to 80 per cent of rainfall and cooling the excess before it washes into the storm drain system.

Green roofs are comprised of plants and soil and will help to reduce sound. A reflective roof coating or white roof is the best known and. Intensive green roofs feature additional layers of protection and deeper soil to sustain a wider variety of plants. Adding a lovely aesthetic to neighborhoods and urban construction areas aa well as helping to feed the masses if gardening is incorporated into the green roof.

In winter they retain between 25 40 percent. Green roofing is a unique feature that has several significant benefits to the building environment and for green living.