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How Green Roofing Benefits The Environment
Filed Under (Lighting Ideas) by landscaper on 21-09-2011
The main advantage of traditional roofing is that water will quickly be removed from the surface of the roof. Conversely, green roofing actually holds water on the roof. That could make it harder to maintain, too, and might make installation 50 percent more expensive. Then what is the reason you might think about constructing a roof that's "green"? if you are considering constructing a green roof contact <a href="http://deluxeroofing.com/services.php">Atlanta roofing company</a>.
These green roofs or GR, consist of a roofing layer in which plants can grow. Recent GR progress has been developed in Germany. In Germany, approximately 10% of all buildings are green. The roof cover is put on in layers, with various functions being filled by each. The base layer sits on top of the substrate and provides a waterproof seal to the building. This may come in the form of metal tray roofing or a synthetic membrane. A drainage layer is added to allow water to evacuate the roof, followed by a filter and root protection layer. The membrane that protects the root stops the plant from poking a hole in the membrane, thus causing it to leak. The growing medium itself where the plants get bedded serves as the final layer. Green or "living roofs" can be divided into three main categories. The different ways that these types of roofs are categorized are called intensive, bio diverse, and extensive.
Extensive GR, which are sometimes called Eco roofs, are commonly used to increase growth of mosses, grasses and herbs. The growing medium is relatively shallow with a depth of between 60-200mm. For every square meter, the weight of the plant medium ranges between 50 and 150 kilograms per square meter. Eco roofing is utilized in areas where there is little to no foot traffic and where low maintenance roofing is required. This particular type of roofing is in fact the least expensive to install. To learn more about green roofs get in touch with <a href="http://deluxeroofing.com/services.php">roofing companies Atlanta</a>.
They are constructing roof and park gardens using Intensive green roofing. These roofs offer a wide range of planting opportunities. Shrubs, flowers and even trees can be utilized. The depth of the growing medium is between 150-400mm. This pushes the weight per square meter up to 180-500kg and requires a significant structure to support it.
Bio diverse roofing needs to be left alone and is designed in order to reproduce a natural ecosystem . Varied soil levels on the surface can create a wide range of habitats for different species. Local plants are grown and wind swept seeds are allowed to take root. Bio diverse roofing is often aimed at providing a particular habitat for a threatened species.
If you think your urban roof looks drab, transform it with green roofing. Living roofs provide plenty of financial rewards and additional aesthetic value. Roofs are subjected to constant ultra violet light so are the waterproof membranes. These UV rays break down the surface of the roofing causing leaks and the need for early replacement. The living roof will protect the building from these ultra violet rays. This will double the life of your roof and quickly pay for itself. Further, green roofing provides a thermal layer keeping the building cooler in summer and warmer in winter. The benefits of ecological roofing is now realized by planners within the local government as well. There are district councils who will give a monetary incentive to a developer who wants to do new construction with green roofs. The progression will persist as reducing carbon emissions becomes a necessity.
Normal urban roofs will absorb the suns rays and emit them as heat. This has led to the urban heat island effect. You will be much more aware of this impact during the evening due to the fact that urban locations are generally warmer than some of the outer areas. Due to the urban heat island effect, the air temperatures in London are usually around 6 degrees warmer at night. Green roofing will not absorb the heat, so this effect is minimal. Hence, requiring air conditioning is likely to be lessened in warmer regions.
Mass urbanization leads to high water run off and flooding. Large areas of concrete hinder the draining of water after rain. Green roofing absorbs between 50-75% of rainfall, gradually releasing it back into the environment. The evaporation will also cool the building, reduce your energy footprint even further.
Green roofing also can retain approximately two hundred and forty grams of carbon per square meter. It will allow plants and insects to live there and also attract birds and bees because they will find food there. In effect ecological roofing replaces the green footprint removed by the building.
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