The benefits of green roofs

Improve the drainage system

Sustainable drainage is an important component of any building, as a way to
counter flooding in the event of excess rainfall. as a result of increasing urban
development, as much as 75% of water is running off into urban areas. To
counter this threat, green roofs are a great option it reduces the need to
manage any stormwater that accumulates, as well as the stress put on local
sewer systems because Water is stored in plants and substrate, before being
released back into the environment naturally.
• Increase the lifespan of the roof: A rooftop is continually under attack
from the elements and has plenty to cope with throughout the year. Not
only will a roof need to sufficiently deal with wind and rain, but
ultraviolet light and fluctuating temperatures too. Green roofs have
proved to double or even triple the life expectancy of a rooftop. The
barrier of greenery helps protect the waterproof membrane underneath
and ensure the rooftop’s life expectancy lasts well for decades.
• Boosting thermal performance: One of the biggest problems facing a
typical roof is poor insulation, leading to substantial heat loss in winter
and sweltering conditions over the summer months. This all changes
with the aid of a green roof. By implementing a green roof we can ensure
to improve energy efficiency. Plants absorb the sun’s energy and
therefore reduce the temperature of the roof in summer, whilst aiding
thermal efficiency in the colder winter by locking heat inside.
• Helping out the environment: The release of carbon dioxide is one of the
key contributing factors to global warming and as such, Green roofs are
ideal for doing exactly this. According to studies in the UK, 44% of total
CO2 emissions are released from buildings. green roofs reduce the need
for air conditioning, whilst also ensuring less heat is required for the
winter. Both air condition and the generation of heat create CO2.
• Aiding air quality: As you would expect, air pollution is a great problem in
urban areas, especially the larger cities. A green roof helps to improve the
overall air quality. The plants prevent the distribution of smog and dust
while also catching many of the pollutants found in the air. According to
a study, green roofs help reduce up to:
• 37% of sulfur dioxide
• 21% of nitrous acid
• 0.2kg of dust particles/square meter each year
• In addition, benefit from the organic food planted, noise reduction and
the use of Green roofs as public spaces, such as gardens or recreational
areas, to be enjoyed by the users.
Disadvantages of green roofs of green roofs
• An increase in weight load: There’s no doubt about it, green roofs are
heavier and as such, require more structural support to be implemented.
Typically, the addition of a green roof will add between 50 and
200kg/metre squared to an existing rooftop. fortunately flat roofs are often
able to handle this capacity.
• Require extra maintenance: There seems to be much debate as to the full
extent of maintenance required for a green roof, however what’s clear is
you’ll need to do some work to ensure it remains a thriving atmosphere.
You should treat your green roof as a garden and as such, it will require
watering, feeding and weeding. You could undertake this yourself or even
employ someone to take care of the space.
• A greater expense than traditional roofs: Unfortunately for green roofs,
they do tend to be slightly more expensive than the traditional option. One
of the significant reasons for this being the extra support required to handle
the increased load.