Going Green With A "Green" Roof

Phil's Main Roofing 

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

A green roof, also known as a rooftop garden, is a layer of plants, flowers, or other vegetation that grows on a roof top. This living layer may cover all or part of a building's roof, and it is usually planted over material that has already been waterproofed. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, this type of roof provides shade and helps to reduce temperatures of the roof surface and surrounding air by the way it can remove heat through a process known as evapotranspiration.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

There are many approaches to installing a green roof since there are many things you have to consider. The first of course, is does the architecture of your roof permit for vegetation? Once you've established that your building can sustain a green roof, it is time to decide what kinds of plant life you will include. Thanks to the EPA, in honor of Earth Day, here are some benefits and costs of installing a green roof:

Benefits:

• Reduced Energy Use: Since green roofs absorb heat they act as insulators for their buildings. Ultimately, this reduces the amount of energy needed to provide cooling and heating to your home or building.
• Reduced Pollution: By acting as an insulator, green roofs lead to lower demand for air conditioning. This means that the amount of time you leave your air conditioner on throughout the summer months is reduced. Therefore, green roofs reduce the amount of pollution that is emitted from your cooling system.
• Improved Water Management: Green roofs can slow down or even reduce any storm water runoff that would otherwise occur after a rain storm. Green roofs can also filter pollutants that are emitted during rainfall.

Costs:

The cost of installing a green roof typically starts at $10 per square foot for simple roofs and $25 per square foot for more extensive roofs. Additionally, green roofs also require extra annual maintenance, which can range from $0.75-$1.50 per square foot. Although the cost of installing a green roof tends to be higher than other materials, they prove to be financially friendly in the long run since they can reduce energy costs.

At Phil's Main Roofing, we offer services such as new construction, modified roofing, structural repair, preventative maintenance programs and more to both the commercial and residential sectors. We are a a fully licensed and insured roofing company that has been in business for over 65 years. Our team of professional roofers will work with you to install the top roofing brands and will make sure your roof is built to last. Call us at (203) 838-4545 for your FREE estimate or visit us online at www.philsmainroofing.com for more information.