What benefits do green roofs have?
Green roofs have the following benefits: Environmental: • Reduce runoff volume and rate of discharge by soaking up storm water that would otherwise run off, taxing city sewer systems and damaging receiving waterways; • Lower ambient temperatures during the summer months, lowering cooling costs and helping to mitigate the so-called urban heat island effect; • Provide habitat for wild life (and human beings) Financial: • Increase life of roof membrane (by 200-500%) by blocking UV rays, protecting from mechanical damage and decreasing temperature fluctuation • Decreases cooling expenses (up to 50%) and heating expenses (up to 20%) • Reduces load on municipal sewer systems Aesthetic and Social: • Expands the usefulness of the building by providing additional green space • Better looking than alternatives • Reduces noise, improves livability, improves physical and mental health by additional exposure to nature
