The time is now. It’s time to install a living roof on location. Environmentally friendly living has never been easier. Blue or green, if Facebook can install a living forest rooftop, so can you! One of the newest architectural trends of late, living roofs have taken corporate America by storm and have become exceptionally popular with many organizations.
What Is a Living Roof?
If you don’t know what a living roof is, don’t worry. A living roof is simply a building that is fully or partially covered by vegetation that’s planted over a membrane used to waterproof the building. Many living roofs also contain additional layers like root barriers, drainage systems and irrigation systems.
Living roofs are also referred to as green roofs. Another form of living roof is known as a blue roof. These roofs don’t feature vegetation but do offer the building a place to collect and store water. Blue roofs can be passive or active in these attempts to gather water.
Benefits of Living Roofs
- Aesthetic Benefits
Living roofs, especially green roofs, can look absolutely amazing perched atop an office park or other places of business. Many consider these roofs one of the easiest ways to beautify any building.
- New Spaces
When done properly, a living roof can provide new spaces for tenants to enjoy. Many green roofs are used for community spaces, gardens, park-like areas, children’s playgrounds and much more.
- Energy Efficiency
Green roofs have been proven to offer numerous energy consumption benefits for building owners. Most living roofs provide greater insulation than regular roofs and often add savings when the energy bill arrives.
- Marketability
If you’ve been struggling to find tenants, a living roof may be just the change you need to reach capacity again. Green roofs tend to significantly increase the marketability of a building space. Many view a living roof as a great added benefit for employees.
Drawbacks of Living Roofs
- Waterproofing Issues
You’ll want to check references before working with a living roof company. Every company will guarantee the waterproofing capabilities of their membranes, but structural engineers know these roofs tend to leak more often than a regular roof. Therefore, it’s important to do your homework.
- Odd Appearance
Most folks love the look of their green roof once completed. However, there is a chance the vegetation will look odd on top of your building. It’s imperative living roofs are adorned properly, or they can be an eyesore.
Living Roofs For All
If environmentally friendly living is right up your alley and living roofs are on your mind, get in touch. At B.E. Structural, we specialize in creating stunning green roofs and airtight blue roofs. We look forward to building the roof of your dreams!