5 Benefits Of Environmentally Friendly Terraces And Roofs

Sustainable habits that respect nature and the environment are becoming increasingly popular. The eco-friendly trend dominates the different scenarios of the social agenda to ensure a healthier perspective, both for people and the planet. That is why environmentally friendly terraces and roofs are good alternatives to the usual furnishing.

While it may seem like a fantasy, the truth is that applications that help reduce environmental pollution also help improve our quality of life. In addition, most major cities are dominated by concrete and asphalt. These materials cause a dramatic rise in temperature.

In fact, it has been shown that a single roof of roofing felt with bitumen can generate about 70°C on the surface. For this reason, heat is abundant in metropolises, a product of the jungle of buildings, streets and other polluting areas.

The problem of this building form is known as ‘urban heat island’. This is partly because most buildings retain and accumulate high temperatures for several days.

What are the advantages of environmentally friendly terraces and roofs?

They are sustainable ecosystems that you can install right at your home. There are several types, depending on the properties of the roof. They can consist of various types of plants and be semi-extensive or extensive.

In general, they help extend the useful life of your home by enabling better waterproofing and optimizing thermal insulation. Now let’s take a look at some of their benefits.

Aesthetic Improvements

From an aesthetic point of view, eco-friendly gardens and green areas on the balcony make spaces look cheerful and eye-catching. So they are usually aesthetically striking and very beautiful areas. You can even find great landscape designs that offer elegant and comfortable environments framed in an eco-friendly perspective.

Lower temperatures thanks to environmentally friendly terraces and roofs

Environmentally friendly terraces and roofs purify the air of houses, which means a higher oxygen supply and less heat in the summer. This situation has an important economic effect, as it reduces costs for electrical devices that regulate temperature, such as air conditioners.

In addition, the direct benefit of improved air quality is the reduction of respiratory problems associated with excess carbon monoxide and other pollutants that abound in major urban centers.

Rainwater recycling and reuse

The subsidence of part of the street, often the result of heavy rainfall, is a relatively common problem. This is caused by the high number of drainage and sewer systems. Due to heavy rainfall, the soil becomes saturated and increases the amount of wasted and polluted water in urban centers.

Restoration of the natural cycle reduces flooding caused by rain, which is another of the great advantages of environmentally friendly terraces and roofs. It also allows the reuse of water, after the water has been purified by plants and leaves that filter polluted substances.

Less noise, more peace of mind

Many people living together in a limited area is much more pleasant if disturbing noises are reduced. An environmentally friendly roof helps to dampen or even isolate ambient noise up to about 50 decibels.

Environmentally friendly roofs and terraces improve people’s quality of life. This is especially true for people who suffer from nervous disorders or work indoors, which increases their productivity.

Financial Savings

Green zones save energy thanks to their insulating effect on excess cold and heat.

The average life of a roof protected only with an asphalt waterproofing membrane is 15 years. This is due to continuous direct exposure to the sun, as well as all atmospheric changes, mainly due to temperature fluctuations.

Instead, environmentally friendly terraces and roofs protect the surface in quite efficient ways, thanks to the fact that the vegetation both reduces heat and insulates. This situation extends the usability of the roof to approximately 25 years. As a result, this translates into a reduction in maintenance costs of approximately 40%.

An increasing number of environmentally friendly terraces and roofs in urban areas

Green roofs are a good addition to parks, gardens and other green areas in cities. They are not only recreational options, but also contribute to solving problems caused by global warming in the world (Spanish link).

Finally, they can be very useful spaces for the production and consumption of plant foods, especially in areas with an abundance of buildings. The benefits can be significant when planning and deploying organized activities.

So what are you waiting for? From today, find ways to make your roof or patio more environmentally friendly and take advantage of the many benefits they offer for you, the environment and your wallet.