What Is Green Roofing?

Today, many new buildings utilize green building materials and practices to reduce environmental impact in many ways. Even if you own an older home or business, you can still take advantage of technological advancements in roofing to gain benefits. Green roofing is a class of roofing materials, styles, and techniques that either employ green materials or green practices to reduce the carbon footprint of your property and save you money on your heating, cooling, and roof repair bills.

Types of Green Roofing

There are many types of green roofing available today. In the strictest sense, “green roofing” refers to roofs that are covered with gardens or other greenery. These roofs utilize a waterproof membrane to protect the building beneath while supporting and containing the soil needed for rooftop vegetation. Alternatively, the term “green roofing” can be applied to any roofing materials or technique that offers small- or large-scale environmental benefits. Energy-efficient or “cool” roofing materials reflect much of the incident light from the sun, thereby reducing the amount of energy required to cool your home or business. Often, such energy-efficient roofs achieve these results by utilizing special paint or pigments designed to reflect rather than absorb sunlight. Green roofing materials may also be made from recycled or reclaimed materials. Long-lasting and durable roofing options are also considered green because they need replacement less frequently, generating less waste over the lifetime of your property.

Benefits of Green Roofing

Opting for green roofing offers you many benefits as a property owner. Vegetative roofing acts as additional insulation for your home or office, helping to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature with less energy consumption. Green roofing can also reduce the amount of stormwater runoff from your roof, providing additional flood protection for your property and foundation. Installing energy-efficient roofing materials can keep your roof 50-100 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than a standard roof, saving you up to 50% on your annual cooling bills. In new construction, this reduced cooling requirement means you can install a smaller, less costly air conditioning system to maintain indoor comfort. Installing an energy-efficient roof in an existing building can prolong the lifetime of your current cooling system and allow you to purchase a smaller HVAC unit when it is time for a replacement. On a larger scale, your green roof will also reduce the amount of overall heating in your area (called the heat island effect) as well as diminish the amount of fossil fuels released into the atmosphere to maintain comfort in your home or office. Even if you simply choose to replace your current roof with a more durable roofing material, you will enjoy benefits. Roofing that is more durable offers better performance over a longer timescale, reducing the amount of money you will spend on repairs and replacement.

Are you interested in finding out more about your green roofing options in Fairfax County? We invite you to visit our website to explore your full range of green, solar, and other roofing options for your residential or commercial property. You can also contact a roofing expert online to receive a next-day estimate for any roofing repair, replacement, or maintenance job.