The Boston Green Roof

by Jinky Bagagnan

What is meant precisely by the phrase "green roof"? There a few meanings attached to it:

• The roof that is constructed from living organic materials such as grasses, flowers and shrubs, and
• The roof where the roofing materials are eco-friendly in the sense that they are recyclable and preserve or reduce energy usage.

Organic Roofs

The organic roof is becoming commonplace in large urban areas like Boston and on commercial buildings with large and principally flat roofs. The roof is first covered with a waterproof barrier and the organic materials are placed on the top the barrier. Grasses and shallow root plants are then planted to provide an actual green roof.

Large planters and staging areas can be created for larger plants like dwarf tree varieties and shrubs. A literal garden is created that insulates the roof, provides cleansing of CO2 from the air and gives people a beautiful garden to enjoy in the heart of a concrete jungle.

Although some residences have these organic roofs most homes are do not have the strength to support the great weight of the organic roofing materials. Most homes that have organic roofs are usually built into a hillside or partially underground with concrete walls and roof supports.

Non-organic Roofs

Eco-friendly, non-organic roofs are suitable for any home or building that can support standard shingle roofing materials. The key to an eco-friendly roof for standard homes and buildings is they help reduce the cost of cooling and heating the building and the roofing is made from recycled materials and can be recycled.

Typical non-organic "green roofs" include metal, clay tile, cedar shingle, pressured-treated wood shingle, slate shingles and concrete shingles.

These green roofing materials require experience and usually special equipment and tools to install them properly. Properly installed many of the materials will outlast the home. However, if not properly installed the roof and the home can be damaged.

Roofing Contractors

Because of the special requirements of the eco-friendly roofing materials, it is best to engage the help of a Boston professional roofing contractor. The roofing material manufacturer trains the roofing installers in the proper methods of installation. This provides you with three benefits:

1. A properly installed roof that will last for decades,
2. A contractor's warranty on the installation work, and
3. A manufacturer's warranty on the materials.