What can reduce summer cooling needs by 25% and feed you?

Have you ever heard of a green roof? We’re seeing them everywhere! From suburban garages to midtown skyscrapers and ranging from new construction to existing upgrades, these highly efficient and attractive roofs are gaining popularity and for good reason.

We sat down with an expert on the front line of this growing business (no pun, we swear) to learn more. Marshall LaCroix is a Partner at New York City Green Roof & Landscape and has been working with green roofs since 2008.

Advicedrop: Marshall, why are people choosing green roofs and what are the biggest advantages?

Marshall: Green roofs offer many advantages to homeowners, particularly in their structure’s performance. They are super-insulators that keep your home warm in the winter and actually wick the heat out of it in the summer by using the plant’s natural respiration. Environment Canada ran simulations that showed that a one-story building with a grass roof and only 3.9 inches of growing medium would result in a 25% reduction in summer cooling needs. Green roofs are also attractive so many homeowners use them in amenity spaces to convert unused square footage into something useful. For example, green roofs can provide a true outdoor experience for urban rooftops and can showcase fantastic skyline views. When it comes time to sell your home, nothing makes it stand out in the marketplace like energy efficiency and green, living architecture. Other benefits include improving air quality, noise reduction, fire retardation and even agriculture.

Advicedrop: What’s a typical residential installation, how long does it take and how long might it last?

Marshall: Every green roof is slightly different and designed to suit the needs of the homeowners who choose them. Depending on whether they’re used as pure amenity spaces or for energy efficiency, they can vary in complexity. Generally speaking, once the design work and planning are finished, a typical residential installation takes one or two days and will last upwards of fifty years!

Advicedrop: Are there specific types of plants that are used or that you recommend?

Marshall: Wind, rain, and sun exposure can make rooftops a difficult environment for plants. Plant choices depend on the space’s use, individual taste, and the availability of water. Green roof professionals and clients partner to select the best varieties for the job. For basic, lightweight, extensive green roof we use succulents and other drought tolerant plants. For plants that require deeper soil such as trees and shrubs irrigation is required and this really opens up your options for plant choices.

Advicedrop: Are there other economic benefits worth mentioning?

Marshall: Probably the greatest economic advantage of a green roof is its ability to protect your roofing membrane. By covering your roofing membrane with a green roof, you prevent damage from harmful UV rays and rapid changes in temperature. This extends the lifespan of a roof. When homeowners make an investment in a new roof, protecting it with a green roof makes a lot of sense. Also, appliances such as air conditioners and solar panels benefit by lower ambient temperatures on the rooftop. Lower temperatures mean higher efficiency and lower electric bills. Lastly, depending on where you live, you may be entitled to government and municipal incentives as well as LEED credits. All these are worth researching as you consider a green roof.

Advicedrop: Marshall, thanks for this great introduction to green roofs.

If you’re thinking about a green roof, have questions, or would like a personal assessment of your situation, you can ask Marshall a question at https://advicedrop.com/marshall-lacroix.

You can also visit his website at: http://www.newyorkcitygreenroof.com