Creating a Sustainable Future: How Green Roofing Systems can be a Wise Choice
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The prospect of jobs, stability, and a better lifestyle attract hordes of people to cities, making urbanization inevitable on a global scale. Vast open lands and forests keep transforming into concrete jungles to house the growing population. The alarming concern, amidst all this, is the decreasing green cover and a very serious threat to the sanctity of the environment. Occupying 31% of the world’s land surface, forests and grasslands help in abating global warming and climate change, but deforestation, done for construction and development reasons, has led to a significant reduction in the green cover. The world has lost around 104 million hectares of lush landscapes since the year 2000[1].
One of the ways of mitigating the adverse effects of human actions on the environment and incorporating the essence of sustainability in the development sector can be the implementation of green roofs. |
The anatomy of a green roof includes a waterproofing membrane, a growth medium, like soil, and an array of plantations, all installed atop the constructed roof of a structure. The mindful planning and maintenance of a green roof can lead to several economical, aesthetical, psychological, social, and environmental benefits.
Why opting for a green roof can be a wise choice
1. Mitigate the Urban Heat Island Effect Concrete and asphalt, typical construction materials used in cities, have the inherent property of absorbing solar radiation which leads to a rise in the temperature and increased energy consumption.
Green roofs pose as a solution for the heat island effect through evapotranspiration, wherein plants release water vapour and cool the surrounding air, and thermal insulation, in which plants absorb the heat to conduct photosynthesis, reducing the amount of heat percolating inside the interiors. Green roofs help in reducing the temperature by around 30-40°F (1-5°C)[1].
For example, if the external temperature is 29°C, the incorporation of a green roof can bring the temperature inside the house down to around 24 or 25°C eliminating the unnecessary use of air conditioners, the very idea of which feels quite comfortable to the residents.
2. Enhanced stormwater management
The plants and the soil of a green roof effectively mitigate surface runoff by absorbing and retaining rainwater, the evaporation of which further cools the surrounding environment. Around 65% of the stormwater flow from a roof can be reduced by the implementation of green roofs[1].
Specific interventions for the collection and storage of rainwater can be implemented on these green roofs, leading to the reuse of this water for flushing or watering activities. Such roofs fall under the category of ‘Blue Green Roofs’ - a term given to roof structures that offer plantation cover as well as rainwater harvesting options.
The grey water generated in each house, which generally just flows out to the main gutter line, can be treated and reused for the maintenance of the green roof, making it a self-sustainable building feature.
3. Healthier Air Quality - A deep breath of clean, fresh air
As plants continuously engage in photosynthesis throughout the day, the air around a green roof naturally gets cleaned of carbon dioxide and other pollutants. Through dry deposition and carbon sequestration, vegetation helps significantly in cleaning the surrounding air, enabling a person to inhale a breath of fresh air.
4. Optimizing energy consumption of the structure
As green roofs are responsible for creating cooler interiors by absorbing the solar radiation, the constant use of air conditioners and the load on the mechanical ventilation system is significantly reduced.
Being natural insulators, green roofs keep the structure cool during summer and warm during winter. As compared to conventional roofs, green roofs can reduce building energy use by 0.7% and decrease peak electricity demand[1].
5. A refreshing oasis of biodiversity
A green roof can become the most beautiful and enticing garden that can attract a wide array of insects, butterflies, and birds, creating an invigorating example of interdependent ecosystems. Becoming a safe space for the local fauna, a well-planned green roof can support and invite different species of birds and insects, creating a harmonious space.
Furthermore, a rooftop garden can be the most soothing getaway from the rushed up routine of metropolitan cities. Inhabitants, who are drained from their hectic life, can breathe fresh air, admire the scenic greenery and vivid fauna, and just take a moment to pause and rejuvenate on these green roof gardens.
Why opting for a green roof can be a wise choice
1. Mitigate the Urban Heat Island Effect Concrete and asphalt, typical construction materials used in cities, have the inherent property of absorbing solar radiation which leads to a rise in the temperature and increased energy consumption.
Green roofs pose as a solution for the heat island effect through evapotranspiration, wherein plants release water vapour and cool the surrounding air, and thermal insulation, in which plants absorb the heat to conduct photosynthesis, reducing the amount of heat percolating inside the interiors. Green roofs help in reducing the temperature by around 30-40°F (1-5°C)[1].
For example, if the external temperature is 29°C, the incorporation of a green roof can bring the temperature inside the house down to around 24 or 25°C eliminating the unnecessary use of air conditioners, the very idea of which feels quite comfortable to the residents.
2. Enhanced stormwater management
The plants and the soil of a green roof effectively mitigate surface runoff by absorbing and retaining rainwater, the evaporation of which further cools the surrounding environment. Around 65% of the stormwater flow from a roof can be reduced by the implementation of green roofs[1].
Specific interventions for the collection and storage of rainwater can be implemented on these green roofs, leading to the reuse of this water for flushing or watering activities. Such roofs fall under the category of ‘Blue Green Roofs’ - a term given to roof structures that offer plantation cover as well as rainwater harvesting options.
The grey water generated in each house, which generally just flows out to the main gutter line, can be treated and reused for the maintenance of the green roof, making it a self-sustainable building feature.
3. Healthier Air Quality - A deep breath of clean, fresh air
As plants continuously engage in photosynthesis throughout the day, the air around a green roof naturally gets cleaned of carbon dioxide and other pollutants. Through dry deposition and carbon sequestration, vegetation helps significantly in cleaning the surrounding air, enabling a person to inhale a breath of fresh air.
4. Optimizing energy consumption of the structure
As green roofs are responsible for creating cooler interiors by absorbing the solar radiation, the constant use of air conditioners and the load on the mechanical ventilation system is significantly reduced.
Being natural insulators, green roofs keep the structure cool during summer and warm during winter. As compared to conventional roofs, green roofs can reduce building energy use by 0.7% and decrease peak electricity demand[1].
5. A refreshing oasis of biodiversity
A green roof can become the most beautiful and enticing garden that can attract a wide array of insects, butterflies, and birds, creating an invigorating example of interdependent ecosystems. Becoming a safe space for the local fauna, a well-planned green roof can support and invite different species of birds and insects, creating a harmonious space.
Furthermore, a rooftop garden can be the most soothing getaway from the rushed up routine of metropolitan cities. Inhabitants, who are drained from their hectic life, can breathe fresh air, admire the scenic greenery and vivid fauna, and just take a moment to pause and rejuvenate on these green roof gardens.
Innovative ways of visualizing green roofs
Looking at it through diverse perspectives, a green roof space can be used for several unique activities, some of which can be:
1. Exploring organic gardens
Green roofs can be a viable ground for cultivating, growing, and producing organic flowers, herbs and vegetables. Avoiding the use of chemical fertilizers and pest control products, soil can be cultivated using natural manure to yield organic home grown produce that can enhance the food habits of the inhabitants.
2. Creating bird nooks and butterfly corners
Mindfully selecting certain types of flowering plants and vegetation can entice vivid and colourful species of butterflies, making the green roof an opportunity to admire nature’s beauty. Adding simple covered nests and water bowls for birds can give them respite in the harsh sunny hours of the day. Observing these birds and butterflies can add a blissful charm to the mundane routine of life.
3. Children’s Play Area
A garden is always an alluring prospect for young kids who love to play, dance, run, crawl, and climb. A rooftop garden can have interesting mounds and natural play spaces for children to explore and enjoy in.
4. Hosting Book Clubs
There is nothing more calming and inviting for a book lover than a lush green open space with cozy swings and hammocks. A green roof can transform into the meeting point of all book lovers who relish the feeling of discussing stories and reading in peaceful silence.
5. Cozy Picnics
The fast pace of a city life leaves very little time for elaborate vacations. Roof gardens can become the most easily accessible picnic spots for families to unwind, interact, and simply relax after a tiresome work week.
6. Social events Green roofs can also become a platform for conducting social gatherings, evening parties, and thoughtful group discussions. With the addition of warm lights and a speaker system, the ambience is set for small-scale parties and social events, having the backdrop of the city’s skyline.
1. Exploring organic gardens
Green roofs can be a viable ground for cultivating, growing, and producing organic flowers, herbs and vegetables. Avoiding the use of chemical fertilizers and pest control products, soil can be cultivated using natural manure to yield organic home grown produce that can enhance the food habits of the inhabitants.
2. Creating bird nooks and butterfly corners
Mindfully selecting certain types of flowering plants and vegetation can entice vivid and colourful species of butterflies, making the green roof an opportunity to admire nature’s beauty. Adding simple covered nests and water bowls for birds can give them respite in the harsh sunny hours of the day. Observing these birds and butterflies can add a blissful charm to the mundane routine of life.
3. Children’s Play Area
A garden is always an alluring prospect for young kids who love to play, dance, run, crawl, and climb. A rooftop garden can have interesting mounds and natural play spaces for children to explore and enjoy in.
4. Hosting Book Clubs
There is nothing more calming and inviting for a book lover than a lush green open space with cozy swings and hammocks. A green roof can transform into the meeting point of all book lovers who relish the feeling of discussing stories and reading in peaceful silence.
5. Cozy Picnics
The fast pace of a city life leaves very little time for elaborate vacations. Roof gardens can become the most easily accessible picnic spots for families to unwind, interact, and simply relax after a tiresome work week.
6. Social events Green roofs can also become a platform for conducting social gatherings, evening parties, and thoughtful group discussions. With the addition of warm lights and a speaker system, the ambience is set for small-scale parties and social events, having the backdrop of the city’s skyline.
The implementation of green roofs has many layers of benefits and a vast range of applications, if we let the creativity flow unhindered. Along with providing a sustainable solution to the rapid loss of green cover worldwide, green roofs have the potential of restoring the ecological, social, and psychological balance of the society. Considering the planning and execution of a green roof for your structure might just prove to be a wise choice for the future after all.
If you are feeling inclined to add a green roof to your structure, kindly write to us at [email protected] and we would be glad to guide you through the entire process.
If you are feeling inclined to add a green roof to your structure, kindly write to us at [email protected] and we would be glad to guide you through the entire process.
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