GREEN WALLS AND GREEN ROOFS PROVIDE ADVANTAGES
23 November 2011
Going green is not only popular today, but it’s increasingly important for both homes and businesses. While there are numerous ways that you can go green and start benefiting the environment (as well as your wallet), green walls and green roofs can offer
Going green is not only popular today, but it’s increasingly important for both homes and businesses. While there are numerous ways that you can go green and start benefiting the environment (as well as your wallet), green walls and green roofs can offer significant advantages here. What are green walls and green roofs, and how can they provide your home or business with advantages? Let’s consider both options and you’ll quickly see why they are excellent options.
Understanding Green Walls
Green walls date back to antiquity, and they can be either freestanding or they can be part of your structure. Essentially, green walls are walls covered by vegetation. They can be covered partially or entirely. There are numerous benefits to be gained by using green walls as well, particularly in urban settings. The vegetation on the wall absorbs heat energy, keeping it away from the surface of the building and reducing the need to cool the air inside. This reduces energy costs significantly. In addition, green walls also produce fresh oxygen.
Understanding Green Roofs
Green roofs are very similar to green walls, except that green roofs take the concept explained above and transfer it to the flat surface of a building’s roof. Green roofs are usually only achievable on buildings that do not have a pitched roof, though there are types of residential construction that allow green roofs to be used (often, these are sod-covered roofs, though there are other options out there). Since most roofs are black, they absorb an immense amount of solar heat through the day. By using green roofs, the vegetation is able to absorb that energy and block it from being absorbed by the building itself. This further reduces the need to use air conditioners to cool the air within the building.
Green Walls or Green Roofs?
So, which should you choose, green walls or green roofs? For residential needs, green walls will often provide the best solution and they can also be incorporated into a landscaping project. For instance, noninvasive ivy can be used to create green walls on homes, as can numerous other plants. Depending on your plans, you might have to create freestanding, specialty green walls using a different substrate, though.
For business locations, both green walls and green roofs can be excellent options for reducing energy costs. Green roofs, however, can be the best solution for tall buildings located in very urban areas.
