Green Roof Benefits
Green Roof Classifications
Green roofs are classified as either 'extensive' or 'intensive.' Extensive green roofs are thin-layer, lightweight vegetated covers designed to provide ecological and economic benefits. Intensive green roofs have deeper soil profiles to allow wider plant selection for use in social and recreational green spaces.
Stormwater Management
Green roofs have been demonstrated to retain 60-100% of incoming rainfall. Stormwater retention reduces wastewater treatment facility overflow events. Green roof installations are recognized as effective tools for stormwater management in highly developed urban areas.
Energy Savings
Vegetated surfaces deflect solar radiation and reduce thermal loading of roof surfaces and building structures, thereby requiring less energy use for air conditioning systems. These features also combine to reduce the Urban Heat Island Effect, a phenomenon of increased regional temperatures caused by thermally loaded cityscapes.
Roof Lifetime Extension
Green roofs block UV radiation and reduce temperature fluctuation, adding decades to roof performance. This results in financial savings for building owners and reductions in landfilled roof demolition waste.
Additional Benefits
Green roofs provide a wide array of environmental, economic, and aesthetic benefits. These benefits include removal of airborne pollutants and greenhouse gases, acoustic buffering, production of oxygen, and community beautification.
Representative References click here