Heavenly Fauna
May 15, 2008
Green roofs are roofs that are partially or completely covered with vegetation planted over a waterproof layer.
Green Roofs in Iceland and Norway have been around for centuries. The “trend” started when green roofs were developed in Germany in the 1960s, and have since spread to many countries. Today, it is estimated that about 10% of all German roofs have been “greened.”[3] Green roofs are also becoming increasingly popular in the United States, although they are not as common as in Europe. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_roof
The reason for the resurgence of interest in green roofing is because of their significant environmental benefit:
Green roofs minimize the Urban Heat Island Effect caused by traditional roofing which soaks up the sun’s radiation and re-emits heat. This is the reason urban areas are an average of 10 degrees warmer than their surrounding rural areas. Green roofs counteract the Heat Island Effect by absorbing heat. For this reason green roofing has gained popularity in urban areas like Chicago where the City Hall has a green roof.
Green roofs keep the atmosphere cooler while improving a building’s insulation. A study conducted by Environment Canada found a 26% reduction in summer cooling needs and a 26% reduction in winter heat losses when a green roof is used.[10] In addition, greening a roof is expected to lengthen a roof’s lifespan by two or three times, according to Penn State University’s Green Roof Research Center. [11] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_roof Like low- E windows, green roofs cut down on energy consumption and energy costs.
Plants can eliminate greenhouse gases and pollutants, improving air quality. The more gardens the better. A roof is a perfect area to have a garden.
The life-span of a roof is increased by covering it with vegetation that protects the structure from weathering.
Green roofs manage storm run-off headed toward over taxed sewage system. These rooftop gardens can absorb up to 70% of rainwater.
The aesthetic allure of green roofs can increase property value.
June 13, 2008 at 2:00 pm
wow cool design. i really like it thanks