Advantages of Green Roof for new Bungalow Designs in 2015

A decade ago we will not be talking about Green Roofs Design and incorporation in Bungalows or House Designs in India, but today with wide spread awareness about usage of green building designs and material usage, Green roofs are becoming prominent. What exactly is a green roof? Why suddenly everybody is talking about it, its advantages and being thing of the time. Green roofs are the rooftop of any building which is partially or completely covered with healthy vegetation which thrives under good sunlight and water. 

This is made possible by using a medium (like soil) for growing grass, flower plans and other varieties of vegetation which does need good amount of ambient sunlight. These are planted on top of a waterproofing membrane which is laid to slope on the terraces slab so that the slope directs the rain water or excess water towards the designated gutter locations on the terrace.  

In order to enjoy the benefits of these roofing materials in their bungalows, home owners must incorporate green roofs for there news bungalow design while it is still being designed. As architects we like to say, " take 100% decisions on paper than at actual construction site as the former is far cheaper and less time consuming than the latter. Our online architectural design firm HomeplansIndia.com is capable of drawing eco home designs in India. 

The following are the advantages of having a green roof for your new Bungalow Design:

1. Increases the Home Resale Value

Resale value is the amount of money for which an existing home can be sold at a later date. The installation of the green roof usually increases this amount considering the facts that the benefits that such roofs confer to the home owners far exceed those that traditional roofs do. This leads to increased profits for home owners. 


2. Reduction of Noise

The extra vegetation that is found on the roof tops usually absorbs extra sound from the surrounding areas of the home from such sources as animals, people, vehicles, and aircrafts. This makes the interior of such homes more quiet and habitable than ordinary housing facilities. 


3. Reduction of Electro-magnetic Radiation

The world is awash with numerous devices that emit electromagnetic radiation. These include mobile devices, medical equipment, and natural phenomena such as lightning e.t.c. These radiations do pose certain risks to humans such as cancer, cell mutation e.t.c. Green roofs reduce to a considerable extent the severity of these radiation which consequently diminish the potential harm they pose to man. 


4. Prevention of Fire Outbreaks

Green roofs have less burning heat load i.e. the quantity of heat generated when a substance burns as compared to traditional roofing materials. They therefore reduce to a greater extent the possibility of fire outbreaks, or in the event of such outbreaks, their severity. They therefore make buildings much safe and habitable for occupants. 


5. Increases Durability of Roofs

These roofing materials do reduce the exposure of the waterproofing membranes to the elements of weather such as rainfall, excess sunshine, large temperature fluctuations, and ultra violet radiation which most often than not predispose the roofing materials to micro-tearing, corrosion and other dangers. Consequently, they increase the overall lifespan of roofs which translates into less maintenance costs for home owners. 


6. Energy Efficient

These roofing materials reduce to a considerable extent the amount of energy that is required to moderate the temperature of the interior of buildings especially in times of extreme heat such as summer or extreme cold such as winter times. This is due to the fact that they trap in lots of heat during the winter months and absorb less heat in summer as compared to conventional roofing materials. This leads to greatly reduced energy costs for the home owners. Energy efficient house design is all that are necessary to take advantage of this benefit. 


Maintenance

These roofs need bit of a technical detailing and execution at site, but once if they are done well then they should not pose any threat. Do check the above schematic sketch to explain a working or construction of a green roof. 


Conclusion

The benefits of green roofs to the home owners cannot in anyway be underestimated. Any serious home owner cannot therefore afford to ignore them in their general home design.