Maxtech Industries Inc.

GREEN ROOFING

  AESTHETIC AND PRACTICAL BENEFITS

• Green roofs are much better looking than asphalt or tar.
• Natural views create more productive, healthy, happy, creative, relaxed people.
• Green roofs expand the usefulness of buildings via patios, gardens and vistas.

Environmental Benefits
Urban Heat Island Mitigation
The urban heat island effect is the temperature difference between urban areas and their rural surroundings.  The temperature differential causes air currents and dust, and even contributes to violent weather events within urban settings.

Green roof vegetation helps by cooling the air, slowing air movement and acting as a substrate for pollution to settle out and detoxify.

Noise Reduction
Plants, soil, and air trapped in the soil are great acoustic insulators.  Tests indicate that green roofs can reduce indoor sound by as much as 40 decibels, which is of great benefit to occupants of buildings affected by airports, industry, trains and traffic.

              Financial Benefits

With an emphasis on recycled components, energy conservation, sustainability and minimal environmental impact (via development), green roofs score points with city planners, the community and tenants.  This is oftentimes rewarded with zoning that allows for more intensive development. Building with green roofs may also receive tax credits or municipal grants and typically will command higher selling and rental prices.

Extension of Roof Life
Plants and soil act as a protective shield from the elements.
This means:

•  No U.V. radiation/photo degradation of roofing components.
• Minimal thermal contraction and expansion (green roofs can reduce temperature fluctuations by as much as 90%).  Studies show that on a sunny 95°F day, conventional rooftop surfaces can reach 175°F. Green roofs bring these temperatures in line with the ambient air temperature.
• Protection from drying winds.
• Protection from mechanical damage.
• Reduction or elimination of cracks and leaks.
  
  

Water Conservation and Reduction of Storm Water Runoff
The soil in green roof systems acts like a sponge and absorbs excess rain water.  Research has shown that extensive green roof systems can reduce runoff by up to 95% following a 1” rain. 

Green roofs reduce the impact of each new building on the municipal storm drainage system and surrounding watershed.  They reduce flooding, erosion and artificial heating of water which helps preserve fisheries and other aquatic life.

Green roofs reduce the need for on-site storm water management systems.  When combined with an effective rain garden (bioswale), green roofs can make it possible to have zero discharge of rainwater from the site, therefore saving money by not having to connect to the storm sewer system.

Green roofs filter water prior to returning it to the aquifer.  They buffer acid rain and remove nitrate pollution as water slowly percolates through the soil.

What runoff remains will usually occur hours after peak flows, providing additional time for sewer systems to handle the runoff burden from impervious surfaces.

Recently passed legislation offers building owners in New York City a property Tax Credit. Click on the link below for further details.

http://www.estormwater.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=showNewsItem&newsItemId=16120