When it comes to green roofs, there are two points that are often understated. First, microclimate and second, the protection to the material elements of a building.

The microclimate issue is usually referred to as the urban heat island effect, and is predominantly about man-made roof materials exacerbating temperature fluctuation. Microclimates are a reaction between a surface and the weather, and we should remember the basic requirement to protect us from the natural elements 鈥� and then apply this to our building materials.

微密圈 materials are 鈥渨eathered鈥� over time and one of the biggest wearing factors is expansion and contraction of the materials, often at different rates.

A green roof can address the day-to-day internal environment issues and long-term decay of materials by maintaining a steady microclimate at a building鈥檚 surface.

Sustainability should, as we all know, think about long-term solutions holistically. There is no greater cost following construction than demolition and this can be delayed many years by a well-designed green roof.

Adam Dawson

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