What is a “green roof”?
A layer of soil and foliage on top of a building.
What is a “cool roof”?
A highly reflective coating that reflects more of the sun’s energy than it absorbs.
What is a bituminous roof?
A traditional and common type made of petroleum products, sometimes referred to as “tar”. |
|
HEAT ISLAND EFFECT:
Heat absorbency by roofs and pavement, air conditioner use, and the power plants that supply electricity for them help to create what is known as the Urban Heat Island Effect. This can exacerbate certain health conditions, and lead to more air conditioner use in a vicious cycle that costs government and individuals money. About 20% of NYC’s surface area is covered by non reflective roofs, so there is plenty of room to work with. For more info on “heat islands”, check:
http://www.epa.gov/heatisland/ |
|
|
| |
|
|
Click on this graph for a larger view |
|
Bituminous roofs are a major cause of Urban Heat Island Effect |
MULTIPLE BENEFITS OF GREEN ROOFS
TEMPERATURE REDUCTION & ENERGY CONSERVATION:
Reduced cooling costs by keeping the heat off the building and increasing the amount of insulation.
Improved longevity for the roof by minimizing wide temperature fluctuations and exposure to the elements.
|
|
 Installation day. SSBx’s Smart Roof Demonstration Project
click on image to see video
|
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT:
New York City has a combined sewage system. This means that rain water from the street gutters combines with nasty smelling sewage from commercial and residential uses.
When it rains, the water treatment system is overwhelmed and this awful combination is poured into our rivers, untreated.
Combined Sewer Overflows release untreated waste.
|
|
|
Click on this image for a larger view |
So, municipalities have two choices: build more or bigger treatment plants costing hundreds of millions of dollars and decrease local property values;
OR provide a means of keeping that excess storm water from entering the system in the first place.
|
 |
| |
Expensive, single purpose, and ugly |
GREEN ROOFS provide a way to prevent overflows by absorbing and holding onto the majority of water that falls on them during a typical rain. This water is then slowly released from the soil and into the atmosphere through the foliage – in a process called transpiration. |
 |
| |
Cheaper, multi-purpose, and beautiful |
AIR QUALITY:
 |
The amount of Oxygen produced by one tree with a 16 foot diameter canopy is equaled by the amount of Oxygen produced by a 16 square feet patch of green roof with 15 in. high foliage.
In NYC, it costs over $1000 to plant a small tree that takes years to grow that big, but it costs far less to build 16 square feet of GREEN ROOFS today.
Vegetative surfaces also trap harmful airborne particulates and keep them from entering our lungs, and can dampen noise pollution too. Pollutants in the air are less harmful under lower temperatures that these roofs maintain. |
Retrofitting an existing building with
a GREEN ROOF costs more than a
conventional roof, but this investment
yields cost savings over time through
energy conservation and rooftop
longevity. A green roof can also
increase the resale or rental value of
a property, as well as provide aesthetic enjoyment for you in the
meantime.
SSBx's advocacy with the S.W.I.M. campaign resulted in a $4.50/s.f. tax abatement for green roofs,
accounting for much of the stormwater retention benefits of green roofs.
OTHER BENEFITS:
GREEN ROOFS provide space for Urban Agriculture – producing fresh, healthy food, and educational opportunities for kids and adults.
EMPLOYMENT opportunities: the jobs created by higher demand for these roofs can be filled by many people from low-skill to professional levels. These include: structural analysis, waterproofing, design, material production, installation, maintenance, and harvesting of agricultural output.
We encourage the use of native plant species on green roofs as opposed to selecting for appearance alone. Native plant species offer more benefits to the local eco-system than exotics do. Birds and beneficial insects need these plants to complete vital parts of their life cycle and we want to support them. |
 |
| |
urban agriculture we like
|
 |
Detail of SSBx’s Smart Roof® Demo Project
Can you find the butterfly in this picture?
Click to enlarge |
We are happy to discuss the steps you need to take to make your roof green.
From structural analysis to soil depth, plant selections, government incentives, and
installation, we want to design a system to fit your needs and spread this beneficial
technology throughout NYC.
For more information on Green Roof installation
for your building contact us by clicking here |
