The definition of a green roof according to Nian She from the Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, "is a multilayered vegetated roof covering consisting of a root barrier, a waterproof membrane, an under drainage system, and a layer of growing medium covered by plants" (Theodosiou 2009). Green roofs also known as living roofs have been around for centuries. They were used for insulation back when the world only used natural materials for building. Now-a-days they are considered the sustainable building design of the future. They are used for reasons like energy conservation for heating and cooling, reduction in the urban heat island effect, absorption of air pollutants and dust, storm water run-off management, and social and psychological benefits (Theodosiou 2009). Recently living roofs have become more affordable because of new technologies that are being used. There have been many experiments and computer models performed to investigate them as an integrated building design. Typical living roofs contain a lightweight soil mixture and a drainage layer. Also, to keep the layers separated there is a fabric filter, and then a special layer under the drainage that protects the roof from getting penetrated by the roots. High-quality water proofing is a must as well. The vegetation being grown determines the height one needs for each of the layers (Theodosiou 2009). There are two main categories of living roofs: Extensive and Intensive. Extensive is considered the simplest. Extensive living roofs require minimal construction, maintenance costs, soil layer weight, and depth. They are usually not irrigated and the vegetation is mostly self-sustaining and native to the site. They are versatile, meaning they can be applied to flat or... ... middle of paper ... ...ustainable World. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Dec. 2010. . Passive Cooling for Homes. (n.d.). House-Energy. Retrieved December 1, 2010, from http://www.house-energy.com/Landscape/Passive-Cooling.htm Peck, Steven W., and Chris Callaghan. "GREENBACKS FROM GREEN ROOFS: FORGING A NEW INDUSTRY IN CANADA." Peck & Associates I (1999): 18-39. Print. Theodosiou, T. (2009). Green roofs in buildings: thermal and environmental behavior. Advances in Building Energy Research, 3.1, 271+. Retrieved December 1, 2010, from the Academic OneFile database. Wilmeth, M. (2008, October 1). Green Roof Study Finds Big Variation in Stormwater Retention - EBN: 17:10 . BuildingGreen.com . Retrieved December 1, 2010, from http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/article.cfm/2008/9/25/Green-Roof-Study-Finds-Big-Variation-in-Stormwater-Retention/
LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a certification program for green buildings with stringent requirements for building energy efficient and environmentally responsible structures. Some requirements of this program include specific building materials, smart grid capable, gray water reclamation systems, green space minimums, high levels of insulation and low thermal transfer glass (US Green Building Council). Green buildings are a must if we are to sustain our current level of growth. Despite the higher initial cost of these buildings, the long term energy savings make these buildings a smarter choice for
Van Heerden, Ivor Ll. "The Failure of the New Orleans Levee System Following Hurricane Katrina and the Pathway Forward." Public Administration Review, 67.6 (2007): 24-35.
Metal roofs are extremely durable and you can get any design you want in the metal. There are steel and aluminum constructions that are available in the market. Their durability means that their higher price is justified. The steel roof for a small sized home will at least cost 5,000 dollars which is double the price of the common asphalt. Aluminum is even costlier and priced around 12,000 dollars at the start. Copper is the most expensive metal roofing material which can cost around 30,000 dollars for a typical house.
Wood shingles are split pieces of wood used for roofing. What type of roofs are made of are very important to firefighting purposes because the can self-vent itself, and knowing which type of shingles and type the structure is, is going to decide if there is going to be ventilation operation. There are testing laboratories that rate wood shingles on a scale of A, B or C. A being the most fire resistant and C being the least. The test includes exposure, spread of flame, and resistance to burning brands or flying pieces of wood. Then some homes may have heavy clay tile roof instead of wood shingles. Or some structures could have a steel roof panel under the wood shingles. For example, La Grande Rural Fire District conducted a burn to learn operations for new and upcoming firefighters like myself, to see what it’s like to be in a structural fire. Getting towards the end, my duty was to make a ventilation cut on the D side of the structure. The type of roof was like a gable and valley roof. This roof was hard to make a thorough cut because there was a strong metal panel of roofing and then the wood shingles. Heavy clay tile roofs were popular in the 1920’s and 1930’s. There are reports of tile roofs collapsing from firefighters venting, to the roofs collapsing over them and having line of duty
Historically, wood roofing has been a popular choice in every country possessing sufficient timber resources. Across the United States, wood roofs graced many fine homes and businesses as well as humble cabins and small stores from the time of the earliest settlements to the heyday of the westward expansion. Today, alternative roofing materials have decreased wood roofing's market share, but wood is still a fashionable choice for custom homes and a virtual "given" for many restoration projects.
The roof of your home is the first defensive aterial against many elements. The quality, shape and condition of your home's roof can directly effect on the value of your home and appearance. Now there are many choices available in the market ranging from traditional wood to eco friendly rubber. It is always recommended you to choose the roof which suits best to your home location, style, structure and climate. There are different roofing materials available which have pros as well as cons. The asphalt shingles roofs are very popular. The main pros of this roofing material are that it is economical and you can repair it easily. The other advantage is that this type of roofing material is available in different types of shapes, colors, and sizes. The asphalt
Your roof is meant to protect your home, and metal roofs are excellent at doing just that. Metal roofs are fire resistant and, when properly installed, can withstand winds up to 120 miles per hour and prevent sagging. They are also able to resist moisture to eliminate mildew and mold. Mold is an allergen for some and certain strains are known to cause illness throughout the
Roof gardens – Taking advantage of every square inch of the building, making a previously useless area habitable
Weltman, Barbara. "Tax Incentives for Going Green." NY Report. N.p., 3 Feb. 2010. Web. 06 Feb. 2014.
Castleton and Davison, (2010) explains that intensive green roofs have a shallow substrate layer that tolerate deeper rooting plants, so that the trees and shrubs can remain alive. They are usually accessible and need regular maintenance such as extensive irrigation and fertilising. This type of roofs is generally thicker and can support a wider selection of plants and generally they are heavier systems, but therefore it has the highest demand on building structures. Fioretti and Palla, (2010) suggest that Intensive roofs are considered to be expensive to maintain and to build.
A dream home is never complete without an attractive roof that matches its exterior and interior décor. Many homeowners like customized roofs as they offer a personal taste of shade or design. Residential roofing is an integral part of every home since it protects all the items inside and maintains the value of your home. However, roofing should be carried by professionals considering that correct roofing is a huge investment. The following is a close at considerations when installing or replacing your roof.
Santamouris, M., Cooling the cities – A review of reflective and green roof mitigation technologies to fight heat island and improve comfort in urban environments. Solar Energy, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2012.07.003 (2012)
Your roof plays a vital part in keeping your home safe and secure. Keep your roof in great shape by cleaning the gutters, reducing overhang branches, killing any plant growth, and keeping snow off your roof.
Since the University of Northern British Columbia has been opened there have been many efforts to create a sustainable facility. There are many aspects of the university that contribute to its sustainability, which include the buildings, as well as on-going projects. The students and faculty, however, do not necessarily take part in maintaining the university’s title as Canada’s Green University. UNBC’s title as Canada’s Green University may also be put into question when compared to other Canadian universities. UNBC strives towards creating a green university, but this does not necessarily result in a green and sustainable university.
The use of green materials is better for the environment because they have a positive impact on the planet. Looking at our environment today we see a place that has been facing a massive climate change. Scientists have been concerned over global warming for decades. The ongoing increase of the earth’s temperature is believed to be caused by the greenhouse effect (“Global Warming” 27). Building with green materials produces significantly lower greenhouse gas emission. Specifically, wood as a material for building products, requires considerably less energy than other building products such as steel and concrete. Wood product manufacture results in fewer greenhouse gas and other air-polluting emissions (“Green Building Benefits”). Green building also results in waste reduction. In the United States, construction and demolition creates a huge amount of solid waste. Green building limits the waste prod...