We’re all used to seeing green areas when we stroll through London, but not always when we’re looking up.
Well, that is all about to change, as the popularity of green roofing is rising.
With more focus on the environment, less outside space available for many homes, and energy bills rising, the benefits of having a green roof are beginning to look more and more attractive.
At Roofpro, our team of skilled professionals specialise in green roof installation and repairs across London.
Still need convincing?
Well, this blog will provide seven benefits of installing a green roof on your building.
But before we get there, let’s look at what exactly a green roof is.
What is a Green Roof?
A green roof can mean a lot of things, but essentially it is greenery (grass, vegetation or plants) that is laid on a flat roof.
Sounds simple?
Well, it’s not. A green roof needs to be laid on a waterproof membrane, such as hot melt roofing, as well as be on a roof that is strong enough to hold plenty of weight.
A green roof can be as simple as a rolled out green carpet or can be something more resembling a jungle. The possibilities are endless.
There are two types of green roof that Roofpro offer.
Extensive
An extensive green roof is used for roofs that are less accessible, and therefore not planned to be used as somewhere to relax or grow things on.
These are smaller in height and require much less maintenance and time in installation.
Intensive
An intensive green roof is much bigger, reaching 1500mm in height in some circumstances, and is the best option if you are looking for more of a garden.
This is a great choice for someone searching for a more natural and habitable roof.
So, now you know what a green roof, let’s look at the seven key benefits that they can offer.
Green Roof Benefits
Positive Environmental Impact
First up is probably the main reason that most people opt for a green roof.
In built-up areas such as London, having a space in the middle of a busy, residential area, that is a natural environment is a great way of promoting cleaner air.
Some built-up areas suffer from the heat island effect. This phenomenon occurs when urban areas get much hotter than rural areas, sometimes by as much as 5 degrees. With green roofs, the effects of urban heat islands can be much lower, due to lowering the air temperature much more than a normal roof would.
Not only for humans, but green roofs often provide a great spot for wildlife to live and to prosper.
Birds and bugs will find it pretty hard to come by plants and dwellings in the middle of London, so a green roof can be a haven for these animals.
With so much focus being given to the fight against climate change, having something that promotes greater air quality, whilst also cutting down on the energy it takes to run a house, is a definite positive.
They’re Quieter
Urban areas can often be noisy. Cars driving by, horns beeping, and pubs and bars playing music until the early hours of the morning.
If you install a green roof though, it doesn’t have to be that way inside your home.
This type of roof is thick. With vegetation forming a layer across the roof of your building, you are not just installing a roof garden, you are also getting a roof with some great soundproofing qualities.
While I’m not saying it will drown out every sound, it will certainly be quieter than with an average roof.
If you live nearby to something that is noisy, such as a train track or a construction site, having a green roof can make your home feel much quieter and far away from the noise pollution outside.
They Keep Your House the Perfect Temperature
While a green roof may keep sound out, it also regulates the warmth inside.
When covering your roof in vegetation and plants, you are ensuring that half of the sunlight that hits your roof is absorbed. This doesn’t just make it cooler outside, but also inside.
In warm weather, you may think having such a thick roof would make your house hot, but instead it has the opposite effect, due to the nature of the plants that occupy the roof.
So, what about winter? Will your house be cold?
Well, no is the answer. While a green roof has a cooling effect against the sun, it also has a warming effect during the winter, when the thick layer of vegetation can provide a blanket of greenery for your building.
It’s a Nice Space to Relax
For many people, a major downside of living in an urban area is lack of a garden.
With spaces for outside areas few and far between, maybe it’s time to think outside the box, and turn that flat roof that’s currently empty into your own outdoor haven.
If you love nothing more than sunbathing with a book and a cold drink, then setting up a green roof somewhere that gets plenty of sunlight for them warm summer days is the perfect solution.
If you want to grow your own fruit and vegetables, then a green roof can provide an area from which you can do this.
When friends come over on a hot day, no one wants to be sat inside. A roof garden is perfect for lighting up the barbecue and socialising until the sun goes down and the party can go inside.
You don’t need to buy any more land, or pay out for an allotment, all you need to do is hire a staircase carpenter to build a way on top and then everything you need for a great time is added to your home.
Save Money
Okay, the first thing to say on this topic is that green roof installation isn’t cheap.
While it may be a big outlay to begin with though, it will certainly save you money in the long run.
Firstly, energy bills are greatly reduced by the temperature altering qualities of a green roof. Cutting down on your heating over the winter and your air conditioning in the summer can have a huge effect on your annual bills.
Secondly, it gives you a space to grow your own fruit and veg, therefore saving you money that you would have spent in the supermarket.
It’s a long-lasting investment that over time could even pay for itself.
What’s not to love?
Boost your House Value
While we’re on the topic of financials, green roofs are also known to boost the value of a house.
Firstly, they provide a huge boost to a property’s curb appeal. Seeing a nice, colourful roof garden instead of an average roof can be a huge plus for a potential buyer before they even step foot in the house.
It also offers nature lovers the chance to own a home that is doing its bit for the environment, as well as the opportunity to do a bit of birdwatching from your own home.
And finally, people know that a green roof can slash the price of energy bills, which can be a huge appeal to many potential buyers. Not only this, but they also know it has a long roof life, and they shouldn’t have to fork out for repairs any time soon, especially if the roof is relatively new.
When thinking of commercial roofing, a green roof is also a great way of boosting the value and curb appeal of a property, which can be another way this can help you boost your finances.
They Last a Long Time
The final benefit of installing a green roof is that they last a long time.
The average life expectancy for a roof of this kind is around 40 years. That is a huge amount of time that such a roof can last for if looked after and only plays into the idea that this is an investment that will pay for itself in it’s lifetime.
When compared to other roofs, a green roof is high on the list when it comes to life expectancy. If you choose an extensive roof that is easy to maintain, you will require minimal effort to keep your roof in tip-top condition for a period of many years.
If you opt for intensive, then you may have to do a little work keeping it in order, but the benefits, as listed in this blog, are vast and varied.
Roofpro Green Roof Installation and Repairs
If you are interested in installing a green roof in your home, then Roofpro may be the company you’re looking for.
We are a trusted roofing company. You can find us in homeandgardenlistings.co.uk’s Roofers and Roofing Services Directory, our website is listed in uklistings.org – Surrey Business Listings, and many more with great reviews.
With trained experts in installing, repairing and maintaining a green roof on hand, we can offer our service throughout London.
Get in touch today to speak to one of our friendly team on what we can do for you.