How to Extend Your Rooftop’s lifeline?
A rooftop is continually under attack from the sun, rain, wind, snow, fluctuating temperatures, and other elements. We tend to ignore our roofs unless there is an obvious leak or visible damage. The lifespan of a roof depends on the materials used. Roof membranes these days come with a 20 to 25-year warranty. But cracks (and leaks) tend to occur starting in year 12. Good luck calling the manufacturer in the year 2034 when your roof has a leak and asking them to repair it. If they’re even still in business then, the best you can hope for is a pallet of materials gets dropped at your front door.
What are alternatives to increase the lifespan of your rooftop?
How do green roofs help protect your roof membrane?
Similar to putting a case on your iPhone, green roofs protect your roof’s membrane from the aforementioned elements. Depending on the type of green roof installed and the plants used, a green roof can extend your roof’s lifespan by up to 300%. Most green roofs are estimated to last 40-50 years, with some claims that an extensive green roof with PVC products can last for up to 90 years. This is around a 50 – 60 year increase from a conventional roof’s lifespan.
How do green roofs increase the life expectancy of a roofing system?
Covering your exposed roof with a green roof means that the plant leaves intercept the sunlight’s photons and use them as their energy source for photosynthesis. In this sense, a plant’s leaves act as rooftop solar panels. Weird but true. But the point is, these photons which chew holes in an unprotected roof, are absorbed by the plant leaves and other green roofing layers, and never reach the membrane buried below.
The layer of greenery protects the waterproof membrane underneath. The roof structure can require less maintenance, resulting in reduced costs associated with roof repairs and replacements. A well–maintained green roof doubles or triples the number of years before a roof needs to be replaced. This results in a return on the initial green roof investment and makes up for any installation costs.
About The Author
Alan Burchell is the Principal of Urbanstrong, an award-winning firm specializing in sustainable rooftop solutions. A professional engineer, LEED-AP, Fitwel Ambassador and certified Green Roof Professional, Alan holds a degree in mechanical engineering and a Master of Science in Sustainability Management from Columbia University, with a focus on Sustainable Water Management.
For over a decade, Alan has been at the forefront of designing and implementing Solar-Integrated Green Roofs to tackle advanced rooftop stormwater management challenges. His extensive experience spans all seven continents, where he has worked as an environmentalist, project manager, speaker, and sales engineer. This global perspective enables Alan to address critical energy and water management issues, helping building owners reduce costs while complying with local codes, enhance sustainability, and boost property values.
Contact Alan today at aburchell@urbanstrong.com or 215.480.2210 or book a 15min chat directly in his calendar here.
