Green Roofs: A Host Of Environmental And Economic Benefits!
By: Ellen Spencer
With green building becoming popular world over, the standard material, used on roofs like tiles and shingles, are being swapped for an all natural cover of plants and vegetation. Such clean and green roofs, which have been incorporated in many buildings lately, tender innumerable benefits on users. These eco-friendly roofs are made up of five layers; roof deck, waterproof membrane, soil-filter fabric, soil mix and drought resistant plants. Although one can place containers and potted plants on them, authentic green roofs have plants growing out of soil. Some even have water bodies like a pond or a small pool. Also known as cool roofs, eco roofs and living roofs, a few advantages of installing them are enumerated below.
1. Enhance aesthetics
Shrubbery, flowers and plants give a refreshing and beautiful touch to any space. An all-green plot on top of your home enhances the look of interiors enormously.
2. Place for recreation
This charming setting is a great place to spend leisure time whether you are reading a book by yourself, having a cup of tea with a friend or enjoying a board game with your kids. You can also have a lunch with guests here or use it to host parties.
3. Environment friendly
Many recycled material and waste products can be used on green roofs thereby helping the environment. Breakthrough of electromagnetic radiation is also prevented by green roofs.
4. Help to maintain temperature
They are a natural insulator helping to cool down the house in summers and retaining heat during the winter months. This reduces use of heating, ventilation, and HVAC systems thereby cutting down on the energy bill and also increasing the lifespan of household appliances. Even the roofing substrates are protected from temperature variations and exposure to sun thus prolonging their life.
5. Better water management
A large proportion of rainwater is absorbed and filtered by the green roofs leaving the runoff quite clean. The water from green roofs does not flow into the sewers immediately and this lag helps to reduce the load on the sewers every time it rains.
6. Upgrade air quality
Carbon dioxide is absorbed and oxygen is released into the atmosphere by the plants thus improving the quality of air in your vicinity. They can even bring down the amount of dust and other particles in the air. Various other pollutants and noxious gases in the air are also scoured out by the plants.
7. Ebb noise level
Noise is not only absorbed but also redirected by the soil mixture and plant material used on green roofs. This brings down the noise pollution around you.
Green roofs offer a number of environment benefits as they clean the air, cool down the surroundings, reduce noise levels, use up waste from households and curb the strong current of water flowing out. In fact, if green roofs in a neighborhood increase significantly they can collectively clean out air, reduce smog and cool down temperature of the entire city. Green roofs also improve the aesthetic appeal of the area greatly. They are a vital element of sustainable development and their construction should definitely be encouraged.
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About the author: Ellen is a blogger by profession. She loves writing on home decor and latest trends. These days she is busy in writing an article on Garage Lighting. Beside this she is fond of perfumes. She recently bought a Lalique Perfume from a fare.
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