What is a Green Roof and How it Will Benefit Your Property

8/12/2020 (Permalink)

Storm water runoff is among the highest causes of basement flooding.  SERVPRO of Western Lehigh County professionals are called out to more homes and businesses impacted by storm water flood damaging their properties; as rural areas continue to develop into urban sprawl, it's important to think green and continue to invest in sustainable construction options such as green roofs.  

So what are the benefits of having a Green Roof? Although the structural, waterproofing, and drainage requirements of green roofs will always make them more expensive than traditional roofs, green roofs offer significant long-term economical and environmental advantages that more than justify the higher initial cost:

• Green roofs are visually attractive. The variegated coloring of flowers, grasses, and wild herbs is more appealing than stark black or white monolithic surfaces. Green roofs can transform urban wastelands into urban gardens.??• Green roofs are energy-efficient. They are cool in the summer and can be as effective as white roofs in reducing the urban heat island effect. The thermal mass of the soil reduces heat gain and loss by isolating the building from temperature extremes.

• Green roofs are permanent. By shielding the waterproofing from the sun and reducing temperature swings. Imagine the plants soaking up all the sun instead of a normal roof which will raise the temperature in the building.

• Green roofs significantly reduce storm water runoff, typically retaining half to three-quarters of the annual rainfall and retarding the runoff of most of the remainder.

Just think of how much nicer your roof will look, and the amount of flood damage they can reduce