Choosing a new roof is a huge responsibility but it can also be a terrific opportunity. While it is obviously a major expenditure, it is a chance to save money and help the environment at the same time. Green roofs are friendly to the environment and ultimately save money in terms of reduced energy costs, both in winter and in summertime. In some localities, you can actually earn money by having an eco-roof.
Installing a green roof means more than just painting over your existing roof. Specifically, an eco-roof as it is also called, is a 100 percent vegetative roof with plants and a growth medium. All roofs have an underlying membrane between the plywood base and the covering itself. An eco-roof protects this membrane and can extend the life of a roof by as much as 200 percent.
Civil authorities are getting very enthused about eco-roofs. One reason is because they help to lower roof temperatures, mitigate the heat island effect, filter metallic and other pollutants out of rainwater, and clean carbon dioxide and other pollutants out of the air. They reduce storm water runoff, create natural habitats, and act as a form of soundproofing.
What is an urban heat island? The term relates to the observation that heavily urbanized areas are at significantly higher temperatures than the rural and suburban areas that surround them. Heat is a direct consequence of human activities. This was first observed in the early part of the 19th century. The UHI is the reason why suburbs experience longer growing seasons than cities.
The urban heat effect is quantifiable. Traditional roofing components, be they shingles, metal, tile, etc., absorb sunlight and converts it into heat. In this way, cities can be as much as 7 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than more remote areas. Chicago City Hall is one example of an urban building that has a vegetative roof. Nearby buildings with conventional roofing materials can be as many as 8 degrees hotter than City Hall, with its eco-roof. Cities like Atlanta, New York, Portland and other U. S cities are using building regulations to actively encourage eco-roof construction.
Another environmental benefit to eco-roofs is their ability to selectively attract desirable types of wildlife. Bees, birds, butterflies, and other types of beneficial insect are all attracted to this environment. Urbanization decreases the natural habitat available for these and other life forms. Encouraging living roofing in an urban area creates little pockets of new habitat for these critically important animals. This effect has been observed in 19-storey high-rise buildings.
Having a living roof can also help to reduce your carbon footprint. A chief component of plant matter, carbon is naturally absorbed from the atmosphere by growing vegetation. Eco-roofs decrease the amount of carbon dioxide that is exuded by power plants. Buildings in the United States account for a whopping 38 percent of CO2 emissions. Studies conducted in Michigan and Maryland confirm this effect.
Having a vegetative roof also has financial advantages. By insulating your home, they can decrease the amount of energy used to heat and cool the inside of your house. In certain areas, such as where urban heat islands or pollutants in stormwater runoff are an issue, you may be eligible for tax incentives, rebates, or even grant money.
Installing a green roof means more than just painting over your existing roof. Specifically, an eco-roof as it is also called, is a 100 percent vegetative roof with plants and a growth medium. All roofs have an underlying membrane between the plywood base and the covering itself. An eco-roof protects this membrane and can extend the life of a roof by as much as 200 percent.
Civil authorities are getting very enthused about eco-roofs. One reason is because they help to lower roof temperatures, mitigate the heat island effect, filter metallic and other pollutants out of rainwater, and clean carbon dioxide and other pollutants out of the air. They reduce storm water runoff, create natural habitats, and act as a form of soundproofing.
What is an urban heat island? The term relates to the observation that heavily urbanized areas are at significantly higher temperatures than the rural and suburban areas that surround them. Heat is a direct consequence of human activities. This was first observed in the early part of the 19th century. The UHI is the reason why suburbs experience longer growing seasons than cities.
The urban heat effect is quantifiable. Traditional roofing components, be they shingles, metal, tile, etc., absorb sunlight and converts it into heat. In this way, cities can be as much as 7 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than more remote areas. Chicago City Hall is one example of an urban building that has a vegetative roof. Nearby buildings with conventional roofing materials can be as many as 8 degrees hotter than City Hall, with its eco-roof. Cities like Atlanta, New York, Portland and other U. S cities are using building regulations to actively encourage eco-roof construction.
Another environmental benefit to eco-roofs is their ability to selectively attract desirable types of wildlife. Bees, birds, butterflies, and other types of beneficial insect are all attracted to this environment. Urbanization decreases the natural habitat available for these and other life forms. Encouraging living roofing in an urban area creates little pockets of new habitat for these critically important animals. This effect has been observed in 19-storey high-rise buildings.
Having a living roof can also help to reduce your carbon footprint. A chief component of plant matter, carbon is naturally absorbed from the atmosphere by growing vegetation. Eco-roofs decrease the amount of carbon dioxide that is exuded by power plants. Buildings in the United States account for a whopping 38 percent of CO2 emissions. Studies conducted in Michigan and Maryland confirm this effect.
Having a vegetative roof also has financial advantages. By insulating your home, they can decrease the amount of energy used to heat and cool the inside of your house. In certain areas, such as where urban heat islands or pollutants in stormwater runoff are an issue, you may be eligible for tax incentives, rebates, or even grant money.
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