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Great Lakes WATER Institute Green Roof Project

Benefits of a Green Roof

A Green Roof is a layer of living vegetation that is installed on the top of a conventional flat or sloping roof.

  • Conserve energy by moderating temperature on roof and surrounding areas
  • Dramatically reduce storm runoff volume and peak flow rate
  • Restore the ecological and aesthetic value of urban open space
  • Protect conventional roofing systems, typically doubling the service life of the underlying waterproofing membrane.

There is direct and immediate benefits to the environment, both inside and outside the building

              Source: www.roofmeadow.com

A Green Roof reduces temperature extremes inside the building - This chart shows how a Green Roof helps to stabilize the temperature inside the building. The soil and vegetation absorb the worst of the heat during the day, cooling the building underneath. In addition, daytime heat is retained after sunset, keeping the building warm at night.

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         Source: www.greengridroofs.com

A Green Roof absorbs stormwater runoff

-Control of stormwater runoff is achieved by mimicking the processes that occur in nature, intercepting and delaying rainfall runoff by:

  • Capturing and holding precipitation in the plant foliage
  • Absorbing water in the root zone
  • Slowing runoff as it infiltrates through the layers of vegetated cover

 

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