The Value & The Costs of
Green Roofs
The Value
A green roof is a living roof on a building covered with vegetation over a waterproof membrane. Green roofs involve complex layers of irrigation and drainage, providing a safe yet insulating roof that doubles as a healthy, prosperous environment for plants, animals, birds and insects. Instead of a traditional roof, green roofs give the appearance and status of a garden in the sky.
Green roofs provide various benefits for the homeowner and the microenvironment it creates. Green roofs lower energy costs, reduce stormwater management costs, and can be incredibly durable, needing minimal maintenance.
Ultimately, the value of a green roof comes from the feeling that you are replacing the natural landscape that will be disrupted by your home’s footprint and the biodiversity that surrounds it.
The Costs
Green roofs can be costly, depending on the selection of materials, labor/installation, and selection of plant life to encompass the environment of the roof.
Since green roofs (consisting of drainage and insulation materials, soil, irrigation and the plantings themselves) add a significant amount of weight to the roof, there is often additional structure required to support the increased loads.
Depending upon your region’s climate, there may be long term cost savings from the insulation a green roof can provide. However, these are likely offset by the general maintenance costs needed over time as well.