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Foremost on everyone’s mind nowadays are ways to reduce our “carbon footprint.”  We see terms thrown about such as: eco-friendly, environmentally friendly, and “green” systems in every conceivable industry.  The same holds true in the roofing industry, be the project commercial, industrial, institutional, and even residential roofing.

There are several ways to go about installing roofing systems that are environmentally friendly in the Philadelphia area.  Today’s focus will be on truly green roofing systems which focus on installations that include plantings and soil systems as part of the overall project.

There are as many different approaches to such systems as there are businesses, states, counties, and communities.  What works best will depend on your locale.  The types of plant varieties chosen will direct how we install the necessary depth of the soil system required to sustain it.  It guides the design of the overall project.  The roof deck’s structural capacity must be the first consideration and the National Roofing Contractors Association divides green roofing systems into three distinct categories:

1. Extensive (or Shallow): A green roofing system with an engineered soil-based growth medium approximately 2- to 6-inches deep.
2. Semi-Intensive (or Moderate Depth): A green roofing system with an engineered soil-based growth medium approximately 6- to 10-inches deep.
3. Intensive (or Deep): A green roofing system with an engineered soil-based growth medium more than 10-inches deep.

A green roofing system is a combination of waterproofing and roofing concepts.  As the roof will have moisture present within the system, both must be taken into account.  Waterproofing the membrane will be appropriate and necessary in these circumstances.  We have the ability to consider the following design and installation options (among others):

• APP and SBS polymer-modified bitumen sheet membranes.
• EPDM membranes.
• PVC membranes.
• Hot-fluid-applied polymer modified asphalt membranes.
• One- and two-component fluid-applied elastomeric membranes.

The one chosen will depend on the structure and desired effect that the client wishes to see, and we can conference with you every step of the way.  When a project like this is completed, aside from the aesthetic beauty of the green roofing system (see pictures below), the following performance and environmental improvements are possible:

• Increased thermal efficiency (and lower utility costs).
• Noise reduction.
• Extended roofing system service life.
• Improved storm water management.
• Increased efficiency of photovoltaic panels.

With society focusing now more than ever on environmentally-friendly concepts, we anticipate our clients and our business to increase in these types of initiatives.  Our company strives to be kind to the environment.  We have available to our clients just such roofing systems to achieve that goal.  Please contact us today to find out if one our eco-friendly roofing systems will meet your requirements.

Clients such as hotel chains, hospitals, landscaping businesses, among others are interested in these types of green roofing systems.  Maybe you should be, too.

Stay tuned for our next segment on environmentally-friendly roofing systems for commercial, industrial, and institutional applications in Bucks, Montgomery, Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas: The TPO White Roofing System.  In the meantime, take a look at some of these vegetative roofs:

Photos courtesy of:

• 416style
• Pnwra
• Thingermejig
• Adamsofen