What is “Green Roofing?”

Humans have used many different materials to construct the roofs of their homes over the centuries. Early hunter-gatherers built shelters from the bones and hides of the animals they hunted. We have evidence from a 400,000-year-old site in Nice, France, showing that early humans understood the concept of building structures to take shelter in. The first “true” houses can be traced back to a transitional period between the hunter-gatherer lifestyle and a more sedentary lifestyle where humans remained in one place for long periods of time. The more sedentary lifestyle would eventually lead to the invention of agriculture, a giant leap in the evolution of modern humans.

Over the centuries, different populations have shaped the world around them and used a myriad of different materials available to them for construction. From stone and mud walls with vegetation and animal hides for roofs, to the materials we have available to us now, thousands of years later. But with the growing concern for global climate change, many companies are looking back into the past for sustainable and renewable materials that can be used in modern construction. This has led to a resurgence of “green roofing.” So, what is “green roofing?”

Green roofing is roofing that consists of vegetation planted over a waterproof membrane. It is also sometimes referred to as “living roofing,” due to its use of living matter to create sustainable roofing. Utilising vegetation for roofing has a number of key benefits, including the absorption of excess water, thermal regulation, oxygen purification, creating a more pleasing and calming aesthetic and providing a habitat for small animals and insects. Green roofs can be installed in retrofit or redevelopment projects, and also on new buildings, and utilise the natural functions of plants to filter water and treat air in urban settings.

Green roofing is just one way in which humans are looking to the past to create a sustainable future. The earth is a rich source of sustainable and renewable resources, and with the constant development of new technologies, we are discovering much better ways to utilise the resources that are available to us. The long term benefits of looking into these technologies and methods far outweigh the short term costs of developing them and transitioning. It is exciting to see what the future may hold for roofing and construction in general.

Top Glaze Roofing Systems® are a licensed and experienced roofing company that have been servicing Melbourne and its surrounding suburbs since 1987. To organise a professional assessor to come out and provide a free no obligation roof report and quote for all your roofing needs, call 1800 88 77 98 anytime.