The Benefits of Green Roofs
So, what’s all the fuss about green roofs anyway, and why are cities encouraging buildings to install them? Green roofs have many benefits, which we will explain in more detail in our upcoming informational video and research paper, but here are some of the main highlights. Also check out Green Roofs for Healthy Cities for an extensive lists of the private and public benefits of installing a green roof on your building.
Green roofs benefit us by:
Reducing storm water runoff
- Green roofs absorb substantial quantities of storm water and filter pollutants from runoff, preventing overflow of sewer systems and reducing pollution levels in local water sources.
Mitigating the “urban heat island” effect
- By absorbing sunlight that would otherwise be converted to heat energy, vegetation offers a cooler alternative to traditional black rooftop material, which is one of the hottest elements of a city environment. Additionally, the regular dew and evaporation cycles of plants have a collective air cooling effect.
Lowering energy costs for buildings
- Green roofs provide improved insulation to buildings, helping retain heat in the winter and moderating higher roof temperatures in the summer.
Filtering pollution
- In addition to filtering pollutants from rain water, roof vegetation can capture airborne pollutants and defuse noxious gases. Plants improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and increasing oxygen levels.
Reducing noise
- Green roofs can help reduce noise pollution by insulating a building from external acoustics, especially low-frequency sounds. Roof vegetation can diminish external noise by approximately 40-50 decibels.
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