Installation of ecological roof / roofing In the last decade, environmental efficiency has become an important criterion when choosing the best roofing material, along with features such as longer lifespan. An environmentally friendly roof is a roof that, thanks to its materials and components, reduces the environmental impact of the building over its entire service life. Sustainability of a roof goes much further than the installation of a roof on a building: from its design and concept, taking into account energy efficiency criteria, to the choice of materials and systems that integrate it, achieving the best performance and lowest environmental impact throughout the life of the building and even beyond its end. account for the recycling of its components.
There are many different types of eco-friendly roofs:
- Green roofs
- Roofs designed in accordance with the passivhaus standard and the most innovative, those that use the latest generation materials, such as those based on photocatalytic technology.
Green roofs must have the following characteristics:
- Longer lifespan means less environmental impact since replacing an old roof involves material, energy and waste costs.
- Function. In reality, a good roof is more than just a covering. This is a very important element in the circulation of air in a building, maintaining temperature in cold climates and quickly releasing hot air in hot countries. Thanks to these characteristics, less energy is required to heat or cool the building, which allows you to save!
Based on the information above, we can sum it all up in one sentence: it all depends on the coverage you choose. Some of them can be recycled, others provide better air circulation, and others have a longer service life.
TYPES AND MATERIALS OF ENVIRONMENTALLY EFFICIENT ROOF COATINGS
GREEN ROOFS
"Live" roofs, or green roofs, are defined as vegetated roofs consisting of "a waterproofing membrane, growing medium (soil) and vegetation (plants) on a traditional roof." Properly installed green roofs double the lifespan of traditionally installed roofs. Average service life "live" roof is about 40 years, while the average lifespan of a conventional roof is 17 years. The benefits of green roofs have shown that they have excellent sound insulation. Green roofs can reduce the penetration of external sounds by 40-60 decibels.
"Live" roofs certainly benefit the environment, but the costs and maintenance requirements may ultimately outweigh the benefits:
ADVANTAGES:
- Building cooling system
- Air purification
- Sociological aspect
DISADVANTAGES:
- High installation cost
- High maintenance requirements
ASPHALT TILES
Asphalt shingles are a very common roofing material. They consist of a base containing organic felt made from paper fibers and wood or, in some cases, a fiberglass mat impregnated with asphalt paste. The most environmentally friendly type of shingles is created using special granules that can absorb heat. The change in material formation is minimal but can result in large temperature differences within the building. Another important aspect is the lifespan of asphalt shingles: 10 to 15 years. This fragility is not a serious disadvantage, since asphalt is one of the cheapest materials on the market and its replacement is inexpensive.
ADVANTAGES:
- Low maintenance requirements
- Low cost
- Easy installation
DISADVANTAGES:
- Reduced service life
- May be harmful to the environment
- Poor air circulation
