A 24 percent growth rate in installed green roofs in 2012 is part of the results of the Annual Green Roof Industry Survey.

“On the heels of a huge 115 per cent growth rate in 2011, the green roof industry still grew by 24 per cent in 2012,” said GRHC founder & president Steven W. Peck. “Green roofs are being embraced around North America, by policy makers, designers, (more…)

A green roof is a special type of roof that is covered with certain types of vegetation. This vegetation can cover either all or parts of the roofing. Green roofs have many advantages and can be installed with relative ease.

Installing a Green Roof
The first step in installing a green roof is to place a (more…)

It’s arguably crucial for schools and colleges to do all they can to encourage future green builders; this means educating students about how to use sustainable technologies and alternative energy sources, while also conducting practical research. What, then, are schools currently focusing on, and what kinds of subjects are available? Moreover, what enterprise (more…)

This article has been written to help time-poor but environmentally conscious homeowners and small business bosses make an informed choice about flat roofing materials.

Divided into sections, it looks at five common flat roofing products and examines their energy efficiency in terms of three things: insulation, projected life-cycle and manufacturing process. (more…)

You know that phrase, “One good thing leads to another?” Well, it couldn’t ring more true than in the solar industry. This week, we serve you stories in which good attitudes toward solar have sparked (you guessed it) lots of actual solar installed.

Pittsburgh Can Now Buy 100% Renewables 10% Cheaper Than Standard Utility Rate (more…)

All throughout the world, the importance of creating a sustainable future is becoming more widely recognized. With this recognition, the need for green buildings is necessary to create an environmentally sustainable world for future generations. Many new and existing buildings are, therefore, taking the (more…)

Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario has completed construction of its new seven-story Canal Building, which contains a number of environmentally-friendly features, including 10 kW solar installation and a green roof. The building, the first of a pair that sits near the Hartwell Locks on the Rideau Canal, received five out of a possible five “globes” on the stringent (more…)

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to visit Orlando to see first-hand some of the sustainability initiatives the city has underway through the Green Works Orlando program. Green Works Orlando is a citywide plan to promote environmental conservation and stewardship, energy efficiency in homes and businesses, and outdoor green spaces. Like Orlando, cities across the country are doing exciting and innovative things to make their communities greener and more sustainable.

My first stop was at one of Orlando’s six LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified fire stations. With a focus on energy efficiency and sustainability, the fire station has employed innovative techniques to save energy and conserve water. For example, the lighting and hot water are powered through rooftop solar panels, a cistern system collects rain water for use in the station’s toilets, and native plant species, which require less water, are planted around the fire station — including on the green roof.

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Green roofs have been a part of building for over a thousand years. The current green building movement has, however, had the greatest impact on the growth of the green roofing industry.

A green roof is commonly defined as a roof that consists of vegetation and soil, or a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane. There are two basic types of green roofs, an extensive roof, which has a few inches of soil cover and an intensive roof that has two feet or more of soil for a variety of grass, trees, bushes and shrubs.

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