With energy costs continuing to rise, the popularity of green roofing systems is also on the rise. According to the US Dept of Energy, the average American household releases about 2 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as energy is consumed each year. It has also been reported that homeowners spend upwards of 11 billion dollars a year to cool their homes. New York and several other states have passed tax incentives, rebate programs and building permit waivers for homeowners and businesses to help stimulate more eco-friendly and environmentally conservative building practices. Like many large cities, New York City suffers from what is called the Urban Heat Island Syndrome (UHI). This problem is caused by modifying the land surfaces and displacing naturally occurring vegetation with heat absorbing materials like concrete and asphalt. Heat waste from automobiles, air conditioning units, and industrial energy uses all contribute to the Urban Heat Island effect. This results in irregular weather patterns like higher temperatures in summer months and loss of rainfall. Listed below are several types of roofing systems offered by NYC Green Roofing that can help to reduce the Urban Heat Island effect and the overall carbon footprint. Many of these systems are low maintenance, offer a substantial energy savings, and are a smart investment for homeowners and businesses.  Green roof systems are classified as: protective coatings, reflective membranes, garden systems, slate, metal, tile, concrete and photovoltaic. Scroll down for a detailed description and the benefits of each green roof system offered by NYC Green roofing.

Reflective Roof Coatings

A reflective roof coating or white roof, is the best known and most applied of all Green Roof Systems. These systems reduce roof temperatures and thereby save electricity, and are great for almost every application, including residences, apartment buildings, condominiums, townhouses, retail buildings, schools, malls, and hi-rises.

White roof systems involve applying a fluid directly onto the roof. A superior acrylic roof coating waterproofing component and super tough polyester-mat as the reinforcement component is normally used. Compared to most re-roofing alternatives, this system provides an efficient, high-quality solution at a fraction of the cost.

Some of the benefits of white roof systems are:

• They are Safe to Apply: The roof coating is applied at ambient temperature, eliminating the possibility of injuries from 500 degree asphalt, and fires caused from overheated kettles or torches.
• There is NO adverse Environment Impact: Since there is no tear-off of the existing roof, and it is applied at ambient temperature, we are not contributing to landfill and not polluting the atmosphere with smoke. The reflective coating reduces roof surface temperature and saves electricity, the reason we call it a Green Roof System.
• They are Odorless: Acrylic roof coatings have NO odor, unlike the odors of melted asphalt or tar. Because there are no odors to irritate customers or employees, the project is less disruptive to your ongoing income producing business activity.
• Reflective coatings are Lightweight: The system’s light weight allows application over the original roof with a minimal weight increase: 40 lbs. per 100 sq. ft., as opposed to 175 lbs. per 100 sq. ft. for a cap sheet, and 500 lbs. per 100 sq. ft. for a gravel roof.
• And Strong: Over 300% stronger than fiberglass or organic roofing felts.
• And Flexibility: Acrylic roof coatings go on at ambient temperature and retain their structure and flexibility, unlike hot applications, which become brittle after drying.
• They Create a Monolithic Roof: As the polyester is embedded in the acrylic coating, the saturated membrane becomes a seamless, integral part of the total roof system.
• Reflective Coatings Keep the Building and Roof Cool: The white acrylic roof coating protects the roof from ultraviolet deterioration, and reflects solar induced heating from the building interior. This lowers the cost to run AC equipment and reduces energy consumption, maintenance, and utility costs.
• They are Cost Effective: This system can be expensed as maintenance, rather than capitalized over years like a conventional roof.

Garden Roofs

Used with great success in Europe, Canada, and Asia, garden roofs are beginning to catch on in the United States.

Garden roof systems come in two types:

Intensive- are built-in-place systems that are constructed on the roof top. These systems use a deeper soil, which can accommodate larger plants, and even trees. These systems tend to cover the whole roof area with vegetation as opposed to the extensive or modular system, which employs the use of containers.

Modular Garden Roof System

Extensive- often called modular systems; they are assembled off-site and brought to the site ready for installation. These are self-contained biotic systems seeded with alpines, succulents, herbs, and grasses that are appropriate to the area. These systems are left alone to grow and develop naturally and are easier and quicker to install, while built-in-place systems require more maintenance and installation techniques.

Succulents have been proven to be the ideal plant for garden roof systems in that they have the ability to absorb water in their leaves, stems, and roots, which give them the ability to weather droughts and dormant times of the year.

Benefits from garden roofs include:

• Reducing heating and cooling costs
• Protects the roof membrane against UV radiation, temperature fluctuations, and punctures
• Extends the overall life of the roof
• Enhanced aesthetics of the building by recreating a natural habitat
• Absorbs carbon dioxide
• Produces oxygen
• Ability to absorb 50-95% of rainfall that falls on them
• Filters and controls storm water runoff
• Overall reduction of the Urban Heat Island Syndrome
• May qualify for green building certification credits

Garden Roofs are considered pervious building areas, allowing a developer to maximize the design of the building.