Posts Tagged ‘green roof systems’

Green Roof Systems: Intensive Living Roofs in Portland OR

Thursday, May 21st, 2009

Green roof technology has earned a lot of attention in parallel to the worldwide shift toward environmental consciousness. With the Beaver state on the forefront of going green, eco roofing in Portland OR is becoming quite the popular option.

As a Portland homeowner, you can do your part for the environment by installing an eco friendly roof and at the same time add to the unique beauty of your home. Read on for more information about intensive green roofing in Portland OR and decide whether this type of living roof system is right for you.

Roofing in Portland OR — Intensive Vs. Extensive Roofs

Green roof systems can be divided into two main categories: intensive roofing and extensive roofing. Both intensive and extensive roofs offer substantial environmental rewards. They’re also durable against the Portland weather and increase the energy efficiency of your home.

In general, an extensive living roof is the straightforward version of green roofing in Portland OR. An extensive roof is comprised of a shallow layer of sedum and vegetation that requires very little maintenance.

Intensive green roofing structures add much more character to your home and can be made into a complete rooftop garden. While breathtakingly beautiful, intensive roofing systems in OR are more complex and require regular upkeep. Your roofing contractor in Portland can go into further detail about the pros and cons of intensive and extensive living roofs.

Roofing in Portland OR — Maintenance for Your Intensive Green Roof

Many Portland homeowners who wish to take their green thumbs to new heights will truly enjoy the advantages of intensive living roof structures. In this regard, you can create a fertile rooftop full of plants, flowering shrubs and even trees.

However, the intensive green roof system is not for everyone. Before you dive into this option, your roofing contractor in Portland will discuss the maintenance necessary for preserving this roof structure.

Sustaining your intensive roof will typically require frequent watering and weeding. You may also need to periodically fertilize the rooftop in order to keep the vegetation healthy and green.

When it comes to green roof systems, you have several options and can choose among varying degrees of intensive roofing structures. Ask a qualified Portland OR roofing contractor to customize a green roof that suits your lifestyle and home.

Green Roof Technology: Extensive Living Roofs

Thursday, May 14th, 2009

Green roof systems, like extensive living roofs, can be a smart decision for both residential and commercial buildings in Portland OR. By learning a bit about what green roof systems can offer you and the environment, you might find that having one installed by a reliable roofing contractor in Portland is a good idea.

Environmental Advantages of Extensive Living Roofs

Many Portland residents are concerned about the environment, and the city is at the forefront of policy administration that favors clean energy and ways to reduce the harmful effects human civilization can have on nature. It should not be surprising, therefore, that several residential and commercial roofing contractors in Portland provide green roof systems.

Roofing contractors in Portland OR who offer green roofs install vegetation systems instead of metal, asphalt or other types of roofing. This creates a natural filtration system for water in Portland.

When it rains, the plants and soil used in extensive living roofs capture much of the pollution to prevent it from easily re-entering the water cycle. The vegetation also absorbs a significant portion of rainfall so the city’s sewer system does not have to process it all. This is important in areas like Portland that receive lots of precipitation.

Extensive Living Roofs — Advantages for Property Owners

As if helping the environment is not enough, extensive living roof systems also offer financial advantages to property owners. The vegetation, dirt and sealants used for green roofing in Portland OR helps regulate the house or commercial building temperatures by providing an insulating barrier that keeps warm air in during the winter and cool air in during the summer.

If enough residential and commercial property owners in Portland decided to install extensive living roofs, everyone would see a reduction in air conditioning costs because the city’s temperature would actually decrease. The asphalt, concrete, metal and shingles that are so common in the city absorb heat, making Portland hotter. Covering Portland roofs with green roof systems would help reduce that temperature, making air conditioning less necessary.

Extensive Living Roofs Are Easy to Maintain

Extensive living roof systems use grasses and plants that have shallow root systems and require little water. This makes upkeep a breeze. Since the roots are shallow, you will not have to worry about cutting the grass. Since they use little water, you don’t have to worry about droughts.