5 Benefits of Eco-Friendly Terraces and Roofs
Sustainable and nature-respectful habits are becoming increasingly popular. The eco-friendly trend is dominating the different scenarios of the social agenda to guarantee a healthier perspective, both for people and the planet. Therefore, eco-friendly terraces and green roofs are beneficial alternatives.
Although it may seem like a fantasy, the truth is that practices that help reduce environmental pollution also help improve our quality of life. Furthermore, most large cities are dominated by concrete and asphalt. These materials cause a dramatic increase in temperature.
In fact, it’s been shown that a single asphalt roof can generate about 158°F on its surface. For this reason, heat is abundant in metropolises, a product of the jungle of buildings, streets, and other polluting areas.
This construction form is known as “urban heat island”. Among other things, this is because most buildings retain and accumulate high temperatures for several days.
Why are eco-friendly terraces and roofs beneficial?
They’re sustainable ecosystems you can directly install in your home. There are different types, depending on the characteristics of the roof. They can either be semi-extensive or extensive. In general, they help extend your home’s useful life by facilitating better waterproofing and optimizing thermal insulation.
That said, let’s take a look at some of their benefits.
Aesthetic improvements
Thus, they’re usually aesthetically striking and very beautiful areas. In fact, you can find large landscape designs that provide elegant and comfortable environments, framed within an eco-friendly perspective.
Cooler atmospheres thanks to eco-friendly terraces and roofs
Eco-friendly terraces and roofs clean the air of homes, which implies higher oxygenation and less heat during the summer. This situation has an important economic effect, as it reduces expenses on electrical temperature regulation appliances.
Likewise, the direct benefit of better air quality is the reduction of respiratory problems associated with excess carbon monoxide and other polluting substances that abound in large urban centers.
This article may interest you: Tips for a Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Home
Recycling and rainwater reuse
Street collapse, a product of heavy downpours, is a relatively common problem. This is caused by the high number of drainage and sewer systems. As a result, it saturates and increases the volume of wasted and polluted water in urban centers.
Recovering the natural cycle causes a reduction in floods that result from rains, which is another of the great advantages of eco-friendly terraces and roofs. Also, it allows water reuse, after being purified through plants and leaves that filter contaminated substances.
Less noise, more peace of mind
Cohabitation is much more pleasant when bothersome noises are reduced. An eco-friendly roof helps muffle or even isolate outside noise by up to about 50 decibels.
This eco-friendly situation improves people’s quality of life. This is especially true for those who suffer from nervous disorders or work inside their homes, increasing their productivity.
For more info, you should read: How to Make Eco-Friendly Detergent from Borax and Baking Soda
Economic savings
The overall average life of a roof that’s only protected with an asphalt waterproofing membrane is 15 years. This is due to continuous direct sun exposure, as well as all the atmospheric changes, mainly due to temperature variations.
Instead, eco-friendly terraces and roofs protect in quite efficient ways, thanks to the fact that the vegetation reduces and isolates heat. This situation increases the roof’s usefulness up to approximately 25 years. As a result, this translates into an approximate 40% reduction in maintenance expenses.
An increased amount of eco-friendly terraces and roofs in urban areas
Green rooftops complement parks, gardens, and other green areas in cities. In addition to being recreational options, they contribute to solving greenhouse effect problems in the world.
Finally, they can be very useful spaces for the production and internal consumption of plant foods, especially in areas where buildings abound. The benefits can be significant with planning and the commitment of organized communities.
So what are you waiting for? Find ways to make your roof or terrace more eco-friendly starting today!
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Caballero, M., Lozano, S., & Ortega, B. (2007). Efecto invernadero, calentamiento global y cambio climático: una perspectiva desde las ciencias de la tierra. Revista Digital Universitaria, 8(10). Retrieved from http://www.revista.unam.mx/vol.8/num10/art78/int78.htm
- Téllez, J., Rodríguez, A., & Fajardo, álvaro. (2006). Contaminación por monóxido de carbono: un problema de salud ambiental. Revista de Salud Pública, 8(1), 108–117. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0124-00642006000100010
- Contaminación atmosférica. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.agro.uba.ar/users/semmarti/Atmosfera/contatmosf.pdf