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Why TerraVista |
BENEFITS OF GREEN ROOF
A green roof system is an extension of the existing roof which involves a high quality water proofing and
root repellant system, a drainage system, a lightweight growing medium and plants.
HEALTH & HORTICULTURAL THERAPY
1. Studies have shown that the restorative effect of a natural view holds the viewers' attention, diverts their
awareness away from themselves and from worrisome thoughts thereby improving health.
2. People living in high-density developments are known to be less susceptible to illness if they have a
balcony or terrace garden. This is partly due to the additional oxygen, air filtration and humidity control
supplied by plants but also from the therapeutic benefits that result from caring for plants. The variety
of sounds, smells, colors and movement provided by plants, can add significantly to human health and
well being.
ECONOMIC BENEFITS
1. It is estimated that green roofs will last up to twice as long as conventional roofs.
2. It reduce air-conditioning costs 25% to 50% in single story buildings. This not only allows for ongoing
cost savings but an initial reduction in the size of the required air conditioning equipment
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
1. A typical one storey building with a grass roof and 4 inch of growing medium would result in a 25%
reduction in summer cooling needs. A 6 inch extensive green roof reduced heat gains by 95% and
heat losses by 26% compared to a conventional roof.
2. The evapotranspirative effect of the plants and 4 inch of growing medium typically reduces indoor
temperatures 6 degrees to 8 degrees during warm/hot weather.
3. Soil, plants and the trapped layer of air can be used to insulate for sound. Sound waves that are
produced by machinery, traffic or airplanes can be absorbed, reflected or deflected. The substrate
tends to block lower sound frequencies and the plants block higher frequencies. A green roof with a 12
cm substrate layer can reduce sound by 40 decibels; a 20 cm substrate layer can reduce sound by 46-
50 decibels
4. Through the process of photosynthesis, plants convert carbon dioxide, water and sunlight/energy into
oxygen and glucose. This cyclical process supplies animals and humans with oxygen and food. 1.5 m
2
of uncut grass produces enough oxygen per year to supply 1 human with their yearly oxygen intake
requirement.
5. A green roof will not only absorb heat, decreasing the tendency towards thermal air movement, but will
also filter the air moving across it. 1 m
2
of grass roof can remove up to 2 kg of airborne particulates
from the air every year, depending on foliage type.
6. A square meter of roof can absorb up to 375 grams of carbon from air.
7. Green roofs not only retain the rainwater, but also moderate the temperature of the water and act as
natural filters for any of the water that happens to run off.
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8. Water is stored by the substrate and then taken up by the plants from where it is returned to the
atmosphere through transpiration and evaporation. In summer, depending on the plants and depth of
growing medium, green roofs retain 70-90% of the precipitation that falls on them; in winter they retain
between 25-40%.For example, a grass roof with a 4-20 cm layer of growing medium can hold 10-15
cm of water.
9. Green roofs reduce the amount of storm water runoff and also delay the time at which runoff occurs,
resulting in decreased stress on sewer systems at peak flow periods.
10. Urban greening has long been promoted as an easy and effective strategy for beautifying the built
environment and increasing investment opportunity.
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