Green Rooftops are the Latest Trend

Green Rooftops are the Latest Trend
Greenopolis Founder

Submitted by hlund05 on Tue, 07/01/2008 - 11:31am.

All around the world, green rooftops are the latest trend. What's a green roof, you ask? Well, at its most basic level, a green roof is an urban rooftop that has been landscaped, so instead of a boring city rooftop, you get something like this:

Much better, isn't it. But looks aren't the only benefit of green rooftops - there are a host of other, more practical reasons to look into this new trend. A green roof can actually moderate the temperature inside the building, saving on heating and cooling costs. The vegetation can also act as a sound insulator. And of course, all of this vegetaion can absorb CO2 and contribute some fresh oxygen to the air.

But before you rush out to start cultivating your roof, there are a few things you need to consider. You need to install a system of drainage, and waterproof your roof (the last thing you need is a leak in the bedroom when you water your lawn!). You also need a professional to examine your building and tell you if the roof can support the weight of a green roof system. Once these obstacles have been overcome, you need to consider adequate railing/fencing if people will be spending time in your new urban sanctuary. But besides these challenges, establishing a green roof is not impossibly difficult, not too expensive, and as we discovered, can even save you a bit of money.

So if you know of a building that's in need of some roofscaping, suggest it to someone who has the authority to make it happen. Once your green roof is completed, you'll be the envy of people in taller buildings, birds and airplane passengers.

For more info, check out www.greenroofs.org.

Average:

hlund05's blog

Here's mine- based on old fashioned design with some newer

Submitted by Joe Laur on Tue, 07/01/2008 - 5:39pm.

Materials layered in. I love to tell people that I built a building that filters rainwater, sequesters carbon, creates oxygen and provides wildlife habitat! This is my handbuilt log sauna built over a piece of scarred land- sustainably managed VT cedar and basically I've move the productive footprint fomr ground level to the roof! Cooler in summer, warmer in winter, and practically fireproof.

Each of us can make a difference. Together we make THE difference!

Green Rooftops

Submitted by TDOES on Tue, 07/01/2008 - 4:21pm.

Another great benefit of having a green roof top is if you can get a majority of buildings in a metropolitan area to install these, it reduces the "heat island" effect. Displacing trees and vegetation minimizes the natural cooling effects of shading and evaporation of water from soil and leaves (evapotranspiration). Tall buildings and narrow streets can heat air trapped between them and reduce air flow. Waste heat from vehicles, factories, and air conditioners may add warmth to their surroundings, further exacerbating the heat island effect. This effect recirculates air (and the pollution in the air) and keeps the polluted air in the metropolitan area where thousands of people work and breath.

City of Toledo
Division of Environmental Services

an International Award Winning City

That is absolutely

Submitted by greentech on Tue, 07/01/2008 - 4:00pm.

That is absolutely SPECTACULAR!!

Green Roofs New Trend

Submitted by bobferris on Tue, 07/01/2008 - 1:06pm.

It is interesting how old becomes new. Green roofs are actually a classic approach that is making a comeback because it makes sense in some situations. The idea of a green roof is a centuries' old concept employed on everything from prairie sod buildings to the quintescential Swiss Chalet as seen in Shirley Temple's version of Heidi. I am excited that this is catching on in urban settings for all the reasons mentioned above as well as mitigating the heat island effect so common in large urban areas.

We teach a green roofs class at Yestermorrow for anyone interested in learning the basics about this technique from a theoretical and hands-on approach.

Bob Ferris
Executive Director
Yestermorrow Design/Build School