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 – and then apply this to our building materials.

Building materials are “weathered” 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’s 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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