Green Roofs: An Overview

Phil's Main Roofing 

26 Fitch Street, Norwalk CT

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

We're sure you've heard about ways that you can go green around the home (we even discussed a few earlier this week!) but did you ever think that you could be eco-friendly just by having a certain kind of roof? Well, you can! But we don't mean by choosing one material over another - we mean by actually having a "green" roof, plant life and all!

As described by the EPA, green roofs are those that have a layer of vegetation directly on top. And since they are a place where life can thrive, they offer several environmental benefits to the area around them - not to mention the benefits they can bring to the property owner who has one! Between providing shade to the property, reducing air pollution and aiding in efforts to minimize the effect of global warming alone, green roofs can be one of the greatest influences on your approach to making your home or commercial building more eco-friendly.

So what's in it for you? By having a green roof (so long as your property's structure supports it), you can prolong the lifespan of your roof, reduce the amount of runoff that occurs from stormwater and even improve the health of those inside! Although the costs of having a green roof installed may deter you from the project, it is certainly something to consider if you're looking for new, out of the box ways to work on your green efforts and improve your home or building all around.

Now we want to know - what are your thoughts? Be sure to visit us on our Facebook, Twitter or Google+ page to let us know what you think about going green with a green roof!

Phil's Main Roofing is a fully licensed and insured roofing company serving residential and commercial customers in Connecticut and New York. For more information about the residential and commercial roofing services we offer, visit us on our website or contact us at (203) 838-4545 today.

Pros and Cons of a White Roof

Phil's Main Roofing 

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

 

When it comes time to replace your roof, one of the biggest decisions you will have to make is which materials you will use. Lately, many people have opted for eco-friendly solutions when deciding on materials and colors since the go green initiative has become so widespread. In order to stay within the boundaries of eco-friendly materials and colors, some homeowners have begun to accept “white roofs” as their roof of choice. But why? The following is a list of pros and cons of whiteroofs to provide some insight as to why they are increasing in popularity:

Pros:

First and foremost, no matter the material, choosing white for your roof’s color can significantly lower the temperature of both the roof and your home. This is because unlike black or other colors that attract the heat, white reflects the sun’s rays away from the home. Since they work to keep your home cool, white roofs also come with the benefit of reduced energy bills, since your cooling units won't have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. Lastly, white roofs prove to be economical in terms of construction and material costs and are considered to be one of the least expensive eco-friendly options.

Cons:

Although the color has its benefits, the material you choose plays an important role in whether or not you’ve selected a truly eco-friendly solution. If your roof is made from asphalt shingles, even if it’s white, it may be difficult to recycle when it comes time to repair or replace pieces of the material.

Are you in the market for a new roof? At Phil’s Main Roofing, we specialize in commercial and residential roofing and are available to help you with all of your roofing needs. We work with some of the top manufacturers in our field to make sure that you’re getting the best materials for the best price! To get started on your roofing project, or for more information on how we can help, contact us today at (203) 838-4545!

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.