Green Roof Benefits

Mitigates Urban Heat Island:
Green roofs cool and humidify the surrounding air creating a microclimate which has beneficial effects within the immediate area.
Natural Habitat for Animals and Plants:
Green roofs create biodiversity, encouraging wildlife, such as birds, butterflies and insects, to remain within urban areas.
Reduction of Dust and Smog Levels:
Green roof vegetation helps to fi lter out dust and smog particles. Nitrates and other aerosol contaminants are absorbed out of the air and rainfall and bound within the soil.

Storm Water Retention:
Depending on the design, a green roof can typically reduce storm water run-off by 50 to 90%. Additionally, the peak flow volume is greatly reduced and the peak flow period is delayed by as much as 4 hours, minimizing the impact on existing sewer systems.
Additional Thermal Resistance:
Green roofs can improve the thermal resistance of the roof
assembly throughout the year, especially in summer months by helping to reduce cooling costs.
Reduced noise levels: Typical extensive green roofs (3” - 4” growing media) reduce reflective sound by up to 3 dB and improve sound insulation by up to 8 dB. This is most effective with buildings near airports, factories or busy freeways.

Increased Life Expectancy of the Roof:
A green roof, much like a PMR (Protected Membrane Roof ) Assembly, protects the roof membrane from climatic extremes and physical abuse, thereby greatly increasing the life expectancy of the roof.
Additional Usable Space:
Converting or designing normally unused roof areas into green roofs, simply makes sense. Increase your property value by reclaiming the fifth elevation of a building and make it an amenity to be used by the buildings occupants.
Building Incentives:
More and more municipalities and other government agencies are providing incentives that can help off-set the cost of a green roof.