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Green Roofing - A Truly Eco-friendly Home Solution

The future of our environment has become a “hot” topic of conversation of late. People and businesses alike are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint and in the process hopefully help curb global warming trends. Moss Acres would like to help you do your part. That’s why we are now offering moss for green roofing systems for your home or commercial building.

What is green roofing?

Green roofing is the practice of installing a roofing system that will support and nurture a vegetative covering on the roof deck of a building. Living plants are seeded or transplanted onto a specialized, lightweight roofing soil medium to create a green roof (sometimes known as a "sky garden"). This innovation is the ultimate in green living solutions, as it allows homeowners and building managers a way to reduce their impact on the environment while contributing to the ecosystem.

Green roofing is not only aesthetically beautiful, but it also helps to preserve the life of the roof, reduce energy costs, and to contribute to the reduction of pollution in urban settings. While green roofing has been used in Europe since its invention in the 1960's, it has only been until recently that it began to gain in popularity in the United States. With greater concern for global warming and sustainability, green roofing is a viable alternative for those seeking to reduce their negative impact upon our ecosystem.

More Information Click here to view our current moss products. Please feel free to contact us about our green roofing.

How is a green roof constructed?

The basic components of green roofing systems for moss are fairly straightforward. They consist of a waterproof membrane applied to the surface of the roof, a drainage layer, a layer of engineered roofing soil, and then a layer of well-adapted moss.

Some green roofing is constructed in the style of a traditional garden, with larger plants or lawns. While very attractive, they often require feeding, watering, and soil maintenance, and the weight of the plant layer can be of concern. More extensive green roofing, however, consists of only a thin layer of soil and a low-maintenance planting. When comprised of mosses; these are much lighter and less expensive, and typically require very little upkeep.

Benefits of green roofing:

-Environmental benefits

With traditional, impermeable roofs, rain water runs off the surface and contributes to such environmental problems as flooding and pollution of our streams, rivers, and oceans. Green roofing, however, absorbs as much as 75% of rainwater. This prevents rain water runoff, which can be a significant problem in urban areas, and allows for condensation, cooling effect, and return of the water to the atmosphere.

Just as importantly, the vegetation processes pollutants from the surrounding area and improves air quality. Green roofing also reduces energy consumption by insulating the structure against heat and cold.

Particularly in urban areas, green roofing provides visual relief from the surrounding concrete and steel. A green vista is a welcome sight in areas where little plant life can be found. In addition, rooftop gardening in urban areas has been scientifically shown to reduce stress.

-Structural

There are a number of structural benefits to green roofing. Roofs planted extensively with mosses are lightweight, easy to install, and easy to maintain. They absorb rain water and prevent water damage to the roof, as well as reducing drainage problems around the perimeter of the structure. By reducing run-off from the roof, green roofing can also help prevent water damage to the foundation of the building.

A roof planted with mosses or other vegetation is more durable than a traditional roof, and less likely to be damaged by high winds than a shingled roof. Green roofing can last up to twice as long as standard roofing.

-Financial

The financial benefits of green roofing are considerable. Because green roofs require less maintenance and last longer, they are less costly in the long run than traditional roofing. The vegetation and associated layers provide an estimated 26% more insulation for the roof, which works out to a significant savings in heating and cooling bills.

Green roofing also adds to the market value of a building, particularly in areas where the environment is a prevalent topic of concern. In fact, many cities and municipalities offer tax incentives to homeowners and commercial property owners who convert to green roofing.

Moss as a medium for green roofing

Mosses are the ideal plant type for green roofing. They require little soil and virtually no maintenance once they have been established. Mosses grow quickly and are cost-effective to install; they also absorb at least 10 times their weight in rain water, and they grow well in shade or partial shade (experiments are currently underway with sun-loving mosses so please inquire).

Moss as a vegetative roofing cover is extremely durable. It remains green even during the cold winter weather, and has few known pests or diseases. It easily survives periods with no water by going dormant, losing some of its green appearance but sustaining no further harm.

Moss Acres has conducted considerable research into green roofing with moss. We can provide expert advice on the mosses best suited for green roofing, as well as providing live moss roofs and how to properly establish them. See our green roof consultants to learn how to get started. With the many varieties of lush mosses available, green roofing with moss is a preferred method of eco-friendly construction. At Moss Acres we want to help you save the environment.