Benefits of a Green Roof (vegetated roof) For a Building:

• Absorbs rainwater, hence reduces storm water run-off
  
• Filters pollutants and heavy metals from the rainwater
  
• Improves air quality
  
• Reduces noise
  
• Acts as fire retardant
  
• Provides extra usable space
  
• Reduces heat loss in winter and cooling needs in summer
  
• Creates habitat for wildlife
  
• Increases roof life

Benefits of a Green Roof

1. Absorbs rainwater, hence reduces storm water run-off
   Intensification of construction in urban centres leads to decreased green space on the ground level. The loss of green space is not simply limited to a building’s footprint, but also includes entrances, sidewalks and parking lots that are paved to serve these new structures. Green spaces were once relied upon to absorb rainwater. When it rained, the city’s green areas absorbed some of the water. What could not be absorbed flowed on the concrete surfaces until it could be drained away in the city’s storm system. With this new development and loss of green space in urban centres, some city streets are often flooded after a normal summer storm because the existing storm sewer systems are not designed to handle this increased water run-off. A green roof can be designed to compensate for loss of green spaces measuring up to the surface area of a building’s footprint. Rather than being absorbed at the ground level, water is absorbed at a higher elevation – on the roof. A green roof will absorb the water it needs for the vegetation. Depending on the design, the remaining water can either slowly be drained away from the building to not overwhelm the city’s storm system, or can be collected for future use.
   
2. Filters pollutants and heavy metals from the rainwater
   Industrial activity and high density of cars in urban centers contaminates rains that fall over cities with pollution and heavy metals. Plants are known to be great filters for such contaminants. When it rains, the vegetation used on a green roof absorbs the water it needs. The rest is filtered through the soil medium and the plants’ root systems resulting in contaminant-free water available for other uses.
   
3. Improves air quality
   The increase of any kind of vegetation increase the air quality. Plants used in a green roof not only produce oxygen, but filter dust and pollution in the air.
   
4. Reduces noise
   The vegetation, growing medium and moisture used in a green roof acts as a sound barrier, greatly decreasing the cacophony of an urban setting.
   
5. Acts as a fire retardant
   The vegetation, growing medium and moisture used in a green roof decreases the rate of spread for fire.
   
6. Provides extra usable space
   A green roof can be designed to provide additional usable space for human activity, similar to that of a public park.
   
7. Reduces heat loss in the winter and cooling needs in the summer
   A green roof is well insulated allowing for less loss of hot air in the winter and cool air in the summer.
   
8. Creates habitat for wildlife
   All vegetation will attract some kind of wildlife ranging from birds to small mammals. A green roof can be designed to attract specific wildlife depending on location and species of the vegetation used.
   
9. Increases roof life
   A green roof is designed and built with very strict load bearing and water resistant guidelines and will last longer than a normal roofing system.

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