Science Behind Green Roofs

Unlike traditional black tar roofs green roofs reduce energy costs by absorbing heat instead of attracting it and.

Science behind green roofs.

Vegetation and soil act as a sponge absorbing and filtering water that would normally plunge down gutters wash through polluted streets and over tax sewer systems. Edged by solar panels the roof s seven hills are lined with 50 000 porous biodegradable vegetation trays made from tree sap and coconut husks. An estimated 1 7 million plants fill the trays their roots interlocking to create an extraordinary oasis for birds insects people and other creatures. Green roofs help reduce the urban heat island effect a condition in which urban environments absorb and trap heat.

Vegetated rooftop habitats can serve as stepping stones to create corridors connecting other patches roofscape or at. Background rooftop gardens also called living roofs or green roofs have many advantages including providing more space for agriculture adding beauty to the cityscape and increasing air quality. Natural habitats can serve as templates for green roofs designed for biodiversity. Modern green roofs are made of a system of layers placed over the roof to support soil medium and vegetation.

This paper presents an economic perspective on roof color choice using a 50 year life cycle cost analysis lcca. Most studies consider the green roofs as a single unit made of plants and substrates studied as if they had the maximum density of vegetation without considering that unless it is a pre vegetated. A green roof s plants remove air particulates produce oxygen and. White and green vegetated roofs have begun replacing conventional black dark colored roofs to mitigate the adverse effects of dark impervious urban surfaces.

Low maintenance green roofs can be designed to serve as refuge for species such as. This is a relatively new phenomenon and was developed in germany in the 1960s and has spread to many countries since then. Typically a green or living roof is constructed of several layers including a waterproof membrane a root barrier a drainage layer a growing medium soil is too heavy and plants. Form and function consul tancy desig n engine ering project management and expert w itness of green roofs and green walls since 1980.