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| Roofing-Garden Roofs |
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There is more to eco-roofing than just adding a few solar panels. Today, there are a number of things you can do to make sure your commercial property or multi-family home is environmentally conscious. One very appealing option is the garden roof.
What Is a Garden Roof?
A garden roof is simply any roof with a garden on top to absorb the sun's rays. A standard roof absorbs the sun's rays into the building itself, which only results in unwanted heat throughout the building. This absorption has been shown to lead to the Urban Heat Island Effect, which essentially means that in dense urban areas, the ambient temperature is higher and pollution levels rise as well.
How Do Garden Roofs Work?
There are two basic types of garden roofs:
Intensive garden roofs are planned gardens that people can enjoy. They are almost like a top floor of your building that is a garden.
Extensive garden roofs are designed primarily for the benefits to the building and are not designed for public display, although from the right vantage point, they can add a pleasant aesthetic to the building.
What Are the Benefits of a Garden Roof?
Because the plants in the garden absorb the sun's rays for energy, the garden roof can reduce the Urban Heat Island Effect. It can also reduce your energy costs, since less energy is required to cool the building. In addition, plants absorb CO2 and produce oxygen, resulting in cleaner air and an overall healthier environment. Garden roofs are aesthetically pleasing and can help deal with storm water runoff.
How Do I Get a Garden Roof?
We at RoofCorp can tell you whether a garden roof is appropriate for your particular building and how to set it up. In some cases, we can modify or replace your roof so that it is garden roof compatible. Having an eco-friendly roof has many benefits beyond the obvious ones. In addition to fresher air and better energy use, energy-efficient buildings can earn tax credits, generate goodwill in the community and even help you get more favorable terms on home loans.
If you think a garden roof might be right for you, let a roofing professional give you an estimate of how much the job will cost. Make sure they explain to you exactly where the money would be going and how the plan would be implemented. Find out if the garden roof will impede with the daily affairs of the building. You want access restricted to your building for as little time as possible. In most cases, this won't be a problem with a garden roof, but you should still make sure before proceeding. The hardest part is getting started. But once you see your garden roof in action, you will wonder why anyone would have a building without one. |
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