A green roof has become a revolutionary roofing solution across the States for its ability to provide urban homes energy-efficiency and cleaner environment. The state of Utah is not an exception in this regard. In this fast-developing part of the country, a giant 80% of the population resides in the Salt Lake City where concrete, asphalt, and other such surfaces are a commonplace. This city is an Urban Heat Island (UHI) for being hotter than its surrounding regions. That’s why even homeowners are looking beyond the primary choices to edge out the negative aspects associated with fast development.
If you want, you can also explore and invest your time and money in this emerging and long-lasting trend to enjoy its countless benefits mentioned below.
Advantages of green roofing
Social impact
When you socialize with people, it fosters a sense of community. There cannot be a better place for this kind of deep engagement than an outdoor setting that embodies a unique contemporary feel along with incorporating the elements of nature in it. Amidst the refreshing living roof, spending time with your family and friends can be extremely pleasant than doing so amidst a typical city-like outdoor setting. However, the choice of design of your green roof can play a significant role here. So, be thoughtful when selecting something.
Eco-friendliness
The widely-used traditional roofing materials often pollute rainwater, which while draining down the streets can lead to further environmental risks. These can include floods, erosion, or even the discharge of untreated sewage into the freshwater. But green roofs can eliminate or reduce such harmful incidents to a high degree. These types of roofs can soak up the entire or significant portion of rainwater, leaving little or no runoff.
Additionally, this roofing structure can also counteract the impact of Urban Heat Island by releasing water from the earth into the atmosphere. The conventional construction materials tend to soak up and hold back solar heat in the daytime, which they slowly emit at night. As a consequence, the temperatures turn hot the next day. Living or green roofs can absorb the heat, making your roof and the surrounding environment cool.
Money-saving step
Green roofs can be your long-lasting roofing solution compared to traditional choices. While other materials can succumb to solar radiation and extreme temperatures, the green roofing structures stay protected against all these elements. Hence, the chances of deterioration are minimal. That means you can get rid of replacement costs for a long time. Another plus point is its heating and cooling effect. This kind of roof works as an insulator for your home by keeping it cool during hot months and hot during cold seasons. As a result, you can control your air conditioning needs massively.
Nowadays, residents are even willing to pay premium prices for green homes. So, when you install it on your roof, you mainly boost the value of your property, making it interesting for your buyers. Although this may not be in your plan, you can always rejoice the fact that the selling price of your house has now increased by manifolds.
After knowing this, you may be eager to give your home a green roof. The use of advanced technology has immensely changed the way green roofing happened in earlier times. Today, the modern green roofs include different layers of soils, fabrics, and drainage plates and mats, etc., to make it most useful for your home and environment. However, before going ahead, you should make a few critical considerations so that you get the best choice for your needs.
Essential points to ponder over before investing in green roof
Design
Wind and fire can be major damaging factors for your green roof. Hence, you have to make sure you choose a plan that can protect it from the potential risks. For example, in an area where strong winds blow, you have to know that it can uproot the greenery from the roof due to the buildup of air pressure under the green roof.
Similarly, although the green roofing structure can impede the spread of fire, you cannot ignore potential natural events that involve such risk factors. Hence, you will need a design that can offer you relief from all these tensions.
Installation
Installing a green roof is a huge decision; hence, you may want to take every single step with care. You can hire a reliable roofing company from your city for the task. The professionals can correctly guide you on the design as well as install your roof hassle-free. However, there are a few points that you can keep in mind before the installation process begins. These include:
- Pitched roofs may not need too many protective layers because of the lesser risk of water deterioration.
- The structure of your original roof should be strong to bear the weight of a modular container that can be 40 pounds in weight. Also, understanding how you can improve the strength of your roof to support that weight is critical.
- The thickness of the layers of the pitch has to be right to drain away excess water from the surface and to prevent unnecessary moisture-retention. Otherwise, green roofing materials can get damaged.
- Some homeowners grow their plant trays themselves. If you also opt for this path, then make sure you raise it minimum four months ahead of the installation. It will make them suitable for use in a green roof. However, if you buy it from your roofing company (which even experts recommend), then you have to make sure these arrive in proper packaging. Otherwise, heat can damage them.
So, you must stay watchful throughout the process for the safety of your expensive investment. Some homeowners don’t pursue green roof designs for the fear that it will burn a hole in their pockets. But you can make a smart choice by discerning your needs and the type of green roofing that can fulfill it. Even though there are many types of green roofs in the market, the main categories include intensive, extensive, and brown roofs. A certified roofer can help you decide the best option for your home.