subject: Green Roofing - How Does It Compare to a Traditional Commercial Roof [print this page] Green Roofing - How Does It Compare to a Traditional Commercial Roof
The use of natural compounds to make roofing materials is nothing new. In the old days sod was used as the roofing material of choice. Its drawback was it would need extensive repairs after a hard rain.Sod roofing materials are relatively cheap and they do have their advantages. It is one of the most fireproof materials that you could use and it also insulates very well. This can lower heating and cooling cost dramatically.Though very few homes are employing sod as a way to green they are out there. Most people are settling on a roof top garden as a way to "go green" and get both a great roof and save money. Planting green things on the rooftops in urban areas is a proven way to reduce pollution and heat islands. These are thermal pockets created by the dark materials used to pave streets and tile roofs. For the homeowner it is a definite way to reduce the heating and cooling cost. The vegetation makes a great insulation material. Holding in the cool air in the summer and blocking the summer sun. A green roof is also a way to get healthier foods for the family. Planting fruits and vegetables for home use is the best use of the rooftop garden. You can even plant miniature citrus trees on the roof. Another advantage the green roof has over the traditional roof is its ability to absorb a great amount of rain. This makes it the best option for managing water from storms. The disadvantages begin with the cost of converting the rooftop into a garden. The values of materials, installation and labor could run 5-10x the cost of installing the traditional roof. With the latest technological improvements in roofing materials this may seem a bit high to most people. They may also prove to be more costly to maintain than the traditional roofing materials. It also might not be a practical choice in certain climates. Some homes may need to have the rafters modified in order to install stronger beams to support the additional weight of this type of roof. Leaks are the number one worry with a green roof. Not that traditional roofs do not leak it is just that when a green roof leaks it is quite an undertaking to first and then repair the leak.The trend toward using alternative building materials is showing up all over the country. With the fear of global warming being a constant reminder of how the pollutants are destroying our atmosphere, more people are looking for ways to improve our air and leave less of a footprint on the earth.
