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green building

Green Roofing – Reasons Why People Are Counting on It

April 7, 2020
Chloe Taylor
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Homeowners are continually experimenting with roofing ideas! They want to maintain their roofs well as well as arrive at new ways of arranging it, aesthetically. Recently, planting rooftops of these urban areas brings ample advantages to the social, public, economic, and private sectors. It also benefits global and local environments.

Most of the green roofs have the same function, but every installation is unique. Hence, the technical performance varies by climate, region, green roof type, design, and building. That’s the reason why most homeowners today are getting attracted to the concept of green roofing.

To install a green roof, it is essential to get in touch with an ace roofing contractor. To learn more about this, you can check out PRC Utah Roofing Contractor Utah Service Areas.

The standard benefits

The usual benefit of green roofing are:

  • Increases the life of your roof – A green covering protects the roof from ice, snow, and harsh UV rays. When the roof is shielded from extreme temperatures and the elements, it lasts longer and becomes more durable.
  • Sound insulation – Green roofs absorb noise, from hail and rain. It also absorbs other environmental noise.
  • Provides insulation against cold and heat – Green roofs remain cool during summers and pleasantly warm during winters. There’s effective energy management, which minimizes the energy bills.
  • Added space – A green roof is an area where you can walk around and showcase like a garden space. It gives you ample space to grow herbs and vegetables.
  • Aesthetic benefit – Green roofs add to the beauty and look of your home. It gives the residents a good view.

Some of the ecological benefits are:

  • Enhances the ambient air – Leaves can absorb heavy metals, 16% of zinc, and about 95% of lead, copper, and cadmium. The air pollution atop parks and gardens is 80% less. Also, the photosynthesis process minimizes the amount of CO2 in the air and generates more oxygen.
  • Better microclimate – Green roofs usually get created in big cities and towns. It enables the buildings to store all the heat during the daytime and radiate the same when night falls. It reduces the humidity levels and increases the temperature. Green roofs are known to reduce this impact. Hence, residents can stay in better and comfortable living conditions.
  • Minimizes the water issues – About 30% to 50% of the rainwater gets filtered as well as absorbed in the vegetation layer, drainage layer, and the substratum. And this leads to reduced water present in the sewage systems.
  • Maximized biodiversity – The green roofs are contributing to the growth of fauna in urban city life. It creates a habitat for birds, butterflies, pollinating insects, and many more.
  • The greenery around – City life lacks greenery when compared to the rural regions. Green roofing helps to maximize the greenery in your roof, which is a refreshing and pleasant sight.

Can any roof get converted into a green roof?

Though most roofs can get converted to a green roof, many roofs aren’t suitable. Concrete offers the sturdiest structure and gets used with plastic, metal, wood, and gypsum. Additionally, the flat roofs can get converted to green roofs easily.

Green Roof Installation

Green roofs get installed in commercial and residential buildings to minimize the adverse environmental impacts. However, it is essential to consider a few aspects before the installation process. The crucial factors are:

  • Estimate the weight tolerance

One of the essential elements before installing a green roof is to estimate the weight the roof can handle. The soil layer depth for the roof without the need for a specialized structural design is between four and six inches. As the soil layer depth increases, it also increases the roof pressure as well.

Hence, roofs need to be sturdy enough to withstand this pressure. In any situation, the roof shouldn’t wobble or shudder. If you are unsure about your roof structure, you need to consult a roofing expert before installing the green roof. For seismic zones, it is essential for homeowners to opt-in for special considerations to stay safe, based on the roof height.

  • Choose the best location and surface

It is essential to choose the best place for a green roof installation. If your roof has a flat surface, the installation process is simple. Also, upkeep and maintenance are easy. You can install the low-sloping roof surface without any stabilization requirement. If a roof has a steep surface, it might require an extra reinforcing system, for instance, a terracing system or a tray planting so that the soil stays in place.

Easy steps for installing the green roof

You can install green roofs by making use of planting trays. Also, you have the option to develop an edged rooftop landscape space as well. The other way is to buy vegetated mats that have succulents and other plants that grow on ground akin to any nursery. Some of the steps that will help you with the installation are:

  • Make sure to install a waterproof membrane of plastic or rubber.
  • Place a plastic sheet atop the membrane to act as the root barrier.
  • Place a slim insulation layer atop the first two layers.
  • Manage the drainage mat that has capillary spaces atop the insulation
  • Now you can add the soil and keep the plants in place.

Alternatively, you can also install the mesh gutter guards with wood as well as other edgings. It enables drainage and keeps the soil in place. Organizing and devising support is essential so that it doesn’t pass through the waterproof membrane for preventing leaks.

Today, more people are moving to urban areas. That makes green roofs as an obvious housing choice as it can support plant and other crop growth. It helps homeowners to look at their roofs as a potential source of urban agriculture, which can add to the overall agricultural growth. It also plays an essential role in managing the urban environment. Furthermore, green roofs help improve the air quality that gets affected because of pollution. Green roofs also help in providing fertilizer-free, organic produce as well.

Even though there are several DIY methods for green roofing, it’s a smart call to seek advice from professional roofing contractors. They can guide you based on your roof conditions, requirements, and budget capacity. You can search for the one online and sign up.

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Going Green: Power Your Home with Renewable Energy Systems

June 12, 2018
Lucas Bergman
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Implementing simple green changes to your home is easy and most of us don’t think twice when it comes to installing LED lights or a dual-flush toilet. However, when it comes to going green on a larger scale, such as switching to a renewable energy system, we start thinking about our finances. Yet, we fail to see that even though such an upgrade might require more money initially, it actually offers a high return on investment. Furthermore, you have different systems at your disposal, so you can find one that meets your needs.

Wind Turbines

Although wind turbines aren’t the most common solution for residential areas, wind-generated energy is actually more stable than solar energy. With an appropriately sized turbine, you can meet most or all of your household’s energy needs. Some of the disadvantages of wind turbines are their somewhat unappealing look and noise. However, nowadays, you can find small turbines appropriate for residential use. Nonetheless, before opting for this energy source, make sure that there aren’t any local regulations that prohibit it.

wind turbines
Image Source: econews.com.au

Geothermal energy systems

Geothermal systems are another source of clean, renewable energy generated by earth’s heat. Although this type of system may have a small environmental footprint while being developed, it’s actually quite eco-friendly as it can reduce your home’s carbon footprint significantly by eliminating the need for electricity used for heating or cooling your home. This system consists of geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) that use 25 to 50 percent less energy than regular HVAC systems. Furthermore, the equipment produces no noise and requires little space, so it can easily fit in any home design. If you opt for this type of renewable energy system, make sure to check your property’s geological,
spatial and hydrological characteristics that will determine what kind of system you need.

Solar energy systems

Solar panels are one of the most popular and commonly used renewable energy systems that can boost your home value substantially. Depending on your energy needs, a few square feet of solar panels can be enough. Due to their aesthetic appeal, solar panels work well with modern home designs. They can be placed either on your roof or in your backyard. However, the main disadvantage of a solar system is that it produces energy only when the sun is up. Nonetheless, you can now find solar batteries that can store your excess energy which you can then use when there’s no sun.

home solar panels
Image Source: thegreenage.co.uk

There’s another possible solution if you want to go with solar energy. Solar shingles are becoming more and more popular as they feature a subtler design than solar panels. These are actually photovoltaic roof tiles that are installed instead of regular shingles. Since they resemble regular roof shingles, they can even blend with a more traditional home design. The initial installation may amount to even $20,000, but around 350 shingles can slash your electricity bill by up to 60 percent. In addition, you may find federal, state or local tax incentives that can reduce the cost of installation.

However, if you’re not in a financial situation to go with an entire solar system, you have other options available. For instance, you can go with a solar water heating system to heat your home and water. Solar water heaters are more affordable than solar panels and easier to install. In addition, they can cut your gas or electricity consumption, increasing your savings in the long run. Solar air conditioning is another possible solution that uses solar power to cool down your home. You can actually combine these two systems as they both use hot water.

Hydropower systems

A hydropower system generates energy from a flowing water source. Of course, this type of energy system is available only to homeowners who have such a source on their property. Thus, if you’re one of the lucky few, you should definitely invest in a micro hydro generator because even a small stream can generate steady and clean energy and cover your needs at a price significantly lower than wind or solar.

Renewable energy systems may require a sizeable investment upon installation, but they are a profitable home improvement that will boost your home’s value and increase your savings in the long run.

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Commercial Construction Trends That Are Changing the Industry

March 16, 2018
Mike Johnston
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Even though it may seem as something inflexible, the commercial construction industry is affected by various outside factors. We are talking about issues like economic fluctuations, climate changes, new technologies and job markets. This being said, here are a few commercial construction trends that will continue to shape the industry in 2017.

Green practices are the next big thing

While some people still deny the impact human behaviour has on our climate, going green is still one of the most important trends in the construction business. We are talking about the use of power-saving techniques, low-power machinery and even the increased use of eco-friendly materials in the process. Overall, the three greatest trends here are the so-called LEED certification, eco-friendly building materials and, of course, net-zero energy building. Each of these represents a massive leap forward in raising environmental awareness and boosting commercial construction.
commercial building

The labor shortage is a huge problem

One of the greatest problems construction industry is currently facing is the imminent labor shortage. Even with the unstable job market, millennials still remain mostly uninterested in this field. One of the reasons this is so is due to the fact that there is a lack of technical training in schools. The problems are even greater with the skilled labor force, because they are getting more and more valuable by the minute. In the end, all of this mostly results in longer project schedules and heftier payrolls for those who do decide to try their hand in this industry. Unfortunately, with the current state of the economy, this particular problem isn’t likely to go away anytime soon.

The Internet of Things is slowly entering the market

In 2017 almost everyone knows with the Internet of Things is, but what exactly does this entail in the construction business? First of all, it allows for a better landscape survey, aided with drone technology, employee tracking and various other high-tech means of collecting information. One of the greatest boosts this can give to the industry is that of increased safety. You see, not every area of the construction site can be considered a safe zone, which means that various forms of wearables may increase the personal safety of construction workers. Finally, all the information gathered this way might, over time, become invaluable data that will elevate the industry to a whole new level.

VR and AR are ready for their grand entrance

With the help of VR and AR gadgets, architects and designers might get a better insight in their project in its planning stage. Imagine a situation where an architect can ‘walk’ through their building long before its construction starts. This way, many hidden flaws may be discovered in time which can save a fortune. Seeing how the shortage of labor and necessity for using eco-friendly materials may raise the overall cost of construction, this might help level the field.
VR

3D printers

Finally, one of the things everyone keeps talking about these days is the impact of 3D printers on the construction industry. Namely, in a recent experiment, a huge 3D printer was able to build a house in under 24 hours. To make things even more astonishing, it did so at a cost of under $10,000. This being said, it is more than clear that these devices have a huge potential of both completely revolutionizing the commercial construction industry and solving a mortgage crisis. Nonetheless, whether or not it lives up to its full potential in the future remains to be seen.

While each of these trends may be vital to the commercial construction business as we know it, not every one of them is about to play an equal part in its development. At this point, we can only speculate which trends are going to take lead in the next several years.

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Stefano Boeri’s Vertical Forest is Letting Milan Dream Green

August 24, 2016
Lillian Connors
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After winning the IHP (Internationaler Hochhaus Preis) Award in 2014, the residential highrise Bosco Verticale by Stefano Boeri was proclaimed the “2015 Best Tall Building Worldwide” by the CTBUH (Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat) at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. The decision was the culmination of a year-long juried selection process, considering more than 120 buildings from more than 30 countries. The members of the jury especially applauded the Vertical Forest for bringing more than 900 trees and over 2000 plants to the Milan skyline, as well as the exceptional implementation of vegetation at such a scale.

The Urban Ecosystem

Bosco Verticale is a pair of sustainable residential towers in the Porta Nuova district of Milan. The two constructions stand at 360 feet (110 meters) and 250 feet (76 meters) respectfully and host an astonishing range of floral plants and shrubs. Namely, each tower equals an area of around 7000 square meters of forest. According to Boeri’s official website, the Vertical Forest’s vegetation system absorbs dust particles and CO2, produces humidity, oxygen, and aids in the construction of a microclimate.

The US Environmental Protection Agency defines a sustainable building as the “practice of creating and using healthier and more resource-efficient models of construction.” To truly understand the benefits and the effectiveness of the Vertical Forest, let’s take a closer look of the history of sustainable architecture.

A Short History of Sustainable Buildings

The roots of green architecture could be traced back to the 12th century, when Khmer King Suryavarman II built the Cambodian temple complex Angkor Wat. It featured a rainwater irrigation system that collected water during the monsoon season, allowing workers to grow rice during the drier months. Furthermore, according to the Federal Commitment to Green Buildings report, in the early 20th century, several skyscrapers, such as the New York Times Building in New York and the Carson Pirie Scott in Chicago, used deep-set windows to control the interior temperature and lessen the buildings’ impact on the environment.

However, the modern sustainable industry evolved in the mid to late 80s, when significant oil usage spurred radical studies to increase energy efficiency and discover some new, renewable energy sources. The concerns surrounding the oil industry, combined with the environmental movement of the 70s, led to the earliest achievements in the field of sustainable architecture. A few early milestones include the formation of the Committee on the Environment in 1989, the introduction of BREEAM standard in Britain in 1990 and the founding of the Green Building Council in 1993.

The BioMilano Project

Italy is one of the most polluted countries in Europe. In fact, the country had more than 84.000 pollution-related deaths in 2012, according to the EEA (European Environment Agency). The situation in Milan is not any better. As the BBC reported , in December 2015, the city even banned all motorized vehicles for six hours a day over the course of three days to reduce the smog levels. Only the cars deemed environmentally friendly were exempt from the ban.

The Bosco Verticale not only provides dramatic energy-savings year-round, but also contributes to the regeneration of the environment without the implication of expanding the city. Still, the two towers are just the first step in a grand sustainability plan. According to Stefano Boeri’s personal website, the award-winning architect also hopes to build an agricultural greenbelt around the city eventually, utilizing over sixty publicly owned and currently abandoned farms, which will be worked on and opened to the community sometime in the future. With such safety measures, the air quality in Milan may start to improve rapidly.

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Smooth Decorator is a website dedicated to our little sanctuaries from the hustle and bustle of the outside world – to our homes, sweet homes. We believe that the foundation of a quality life needs to be set right there, in the place where we first dream things up, and that only when we organized our homes can we hope to organize the rest of our everyday existence.

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