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Green Grass. Green Trees. Green Roof?

By Kimberly Shane

Green Grass. Green Trees. Green Roof?

green roof blogYou can likely think of a handful of items on the exterior of a home that are green but I bet a roof wasn’t included in your list. A green roof that we are discussing is more than just a roof tinted green, we are talking about a living roof, an eco-roof, a vegetate roof—whatever you call them, they are becoming a popular option, even for residential homes. This green roof fosters growth of vegetation and includes a waterproofing layer, a root barrier, a drainage system and soil or other growing medium for the vegetation.

These roofs filled with growing plants must be high maintenance and risky though, right? According to an article published by Forbes, that is not the case. Did you know that the idea of the green roof is not a new idea brought on by the crisis of earth warming? In fact, the author of the Forbes article refers to an entire neighborhood in Germany in the 1940’s feature green roofs. They go onto say that green roofs have been around for centuries but as of late, have developed a more technical execution to allow for thinner and therefore, lighter roof profiles.

There is no doubt that these roofs are beneficial to the environment but they are also beneficial to you as the homeowner. “They have been shown to reduce heating and cooling costs, reduce storm water runoff (and therefore flooding),” reads the article. In addition to economic benefits, the homeowner has added an additional garden space other than their yard.

The biggest concern that seems to be on the minds of homeowners is the effect on the structure and possible leaks. However, the author of the article is blunt in their statement, “Let me be clear: A leaky roof is independent of whether it's a green roof or a traditional roof. It has to do with the installation and design specification of the structure.” A proper waterproofing membrane is necessary whether you have a green roof or a traditional roof. The article goes onto say that there hasn’t been any evidence to suggest that green roofs are more likely to leak. It is quite the opposite, studies suggest that the green roof may have a longer life cycle because the vegetation protects the waterproofing from the UV sunlight.

As people are considering options to make their homes greener, perhaps this could make its way to your list. Whether you are considering a green roof, brown roof, or even purple roof in your home, you will need to find a way to cover these costs. If you do not have the cash to cover the new roof, consider financing your new roof through renovation lending options with Stockton Mortgage. Find the office closest to you by visiting our website.

 Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/houzz/2013/12/30/6-busted-green-roof-myths/#6af862103384

Tags: Green Living, Green Thumb, Outdoor Living, Go Green, environment, Home Living