Green roofs provide many positive assets to urban environments with biomimicry. Imagine how dramatically different panoramic city views would be with beautifully landscaped roofs as opposed to horrid black tar and asphalt.

Public Benefits

As storms occur, rivers are polluted by Combined Sewage Overflows ("CSOs"). Because a green roof filters and reduces the volume of water that create CSOs, many cities are creating policies to address storm water management with green roofs. Returning the building’s footprint closer to pre-construction conditions diminishes runoff from streets and traditional roofs, which cannot be handled by existing sewage systems.

Green roofs reduce the Urban Heat Island Effect. By lowering the air temperature on a black roof from 180F in summer closer to ambient air temperature, city-wide energy efficiency is improved. The US Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory estimate that a 5.4 degrees Fahrenheit reduction of ambient air temperature on roofs would save up to $6 billion in annual energy costs nationwide.

Private Benefits

The additional insulation provided by a green roof can add an R-Value of 7. Columbia University reports that green roofs are proven to lower a roof’s surface temperature in summer by 87 percent, and reduce heat loss in winter by 34 percent. Green Roofs for Healthy Cities reports that the cost savings are most evident on low-rise buildings, however the Chicago City Hall saves $5000 annually in energy costs.

HVAC equipment on the roof requires less energy to convert outside air temperatures. Additionally, soil serves as a sound dampener, as seen on airport terminals and industrial properties.

Air pollution consists of greenhouse gases, nitrogen oxides (NOX), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon monoxide (CO), all of which may cause respiratory problems such as asthma. A green roof removes the equivalent of 40 lbs of particulate matter per 1000 sq. ft., equal to 15 passenger cars annually. Air entering an HVAC unit is substantially cleaner due to the filtration potential of plants.

As an amenity, an aesthetically pleasing green roof increases property value. The roof’s longevity increases by an additional 20 years (at minimum). The American Institute of Architecture reports that 90 year-old green roofs may be found in innovative cities such as Zurich.

Greensulate has installed green roofs on school campuses, residential, and commercial real estate from New York City to Los Angeles.