Wednesday 17 July 2013

Eco-Friendly Roofing For A Better Earth

By Matt Sheilds


There's no question that Americans are always looking for ways to save on their electric bill. We start by reducing electricity consumption, some homeowners are adding additional insulation, and many have even begun to add radiant barriers in an effort to reduce the amount of electricity we consume. One of the most misunderstood technologies, for both homeowners and businesses alike, is the green roofing industry. Green roofs provide the options of completing all of these tasks.

Also called a living race, a green earth is one in which a homes typical asphalt roof is either partially or fully replaced with living vegetation such as plants. The roof typically contains several layers including an initial rubber layer that is laid against the original roof decking. This protective rubber membrane prevents unwanted leakage of water and soil into the home or business and provides the foundation for the remaining substrate and dirt in which the plants are placed.

Green roofing is popular among both homeowners and in corporations alike. Numerous business office parks are now putting in green roofing in order to both beautify the work environment and reduce the price of cooling and heating. One of the most famous environmentally friendly roofs in America was installed by Chicago's City Hall.

However legislative and financial support across much of Europe has made green roofing a popular alternative across the pond for many years. The modern trend for green roofing in Europe started in the mid-1960s, and today it is estimated that as many as one in 10 homes and businesses across Germany have installed green roofing., Some cities in Austria have been paying developers to install green roofs since the early 1980s, and the Swiss have installed federal legislation to make green roofing mandatory.

Presently there are significant environmental advantages to installing a green roof that help to offsetting the original expense. The roofing material offers substantial insulation sealing in hot or cold air while providing substantial protection from sunlight. Just like almost all vegetation, those that reside on top of a green roof provide a natural filtration and remove pollutants from our air and water.

There is an indirect benefit to green roofs in that conventional asphalt shingles, the ones widely used by roofers, are one of the prominent causes of landfill material. The shingles contain petroleum along with other hazardous cancer causing agents and may take more than 100 years in order to biodegrade naturally. These are, by very character made to be particularly long lasting, and this resiliency causes these to be very durable inside our landfills. Totally biodegradable and also totally organic green roofing offers a wonderful substitute for traditional asphalt shingles.

There are basically three types of green roofs depending on the amount of vegetation the roof is designed to support. These range from traditional roof gardens which only require nominal amounts of soil to support the vegetation, to fully intensive roofs which can support of 250 pounds of vegetation per square foot.

The beauty provided by a green roof is motivating many municipalities to offer tax incentives to businesses who install green roofs as a way to beautify the city. Tax incentives and energy benefits provide ongoing reduction of cost that may offset the initial investment required. A good green roofing contractor will be able to provide homeowners and business owners a return on investment analysis that will show the long-term cost savings of installing a green roof.

Having a roof above your head is a necessity, with the degradation of our environment it is also imperative that numerous residences and businesses start living in a much more environmentally responsible and eco-friendly fashion. Green roofs provide the option to do both of these at the same time.




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