Green Roof Benefits - Energy Savings by reducing surface temperature!

Because green roofs reduce the surface temperature of a roof by minimizing heat-absorbing surfaces, a green roof helps to reduce energy costs inside the building as well, for businesses in South Florida. For example, on a 90-degree day, while a blacktop roof surface can be as hot as 160 degrees, a typical green roof temperature will only be 95 degrees.

A green roof helps to protect roof membranes from extreme temperature fluctuations and the negative impact of ultraviolet radiation. A TectaGreen™ green roof can double the life span of a conventional roof. With proper maintenance you can protect your businesses in South Florida and prolonging the life of your roof.

The urban heat island is the overheating of urban and suburban areas, relative to the surrounding countryside, due to increased paved, built-over, and hard surface areas. Aver-age summer temperatures in major cities across North America have been on the rise over the past decade. These artificially high summer temperatures have a range of direct and indirect negative impacts on our quality of life. The urban heat island effect increases the use of more electricity for air conditioners and it increases the rate at which chemical processes generate pollutants such as ground level ozone. It also exacerbates heat-related illnesses. Green Roofs intercept the solar radiation that would strike dark roof surfaces and be converted into heat thereby improving energy conservation. Like urban forests and reflective roofing surfaces they absorb and/or deflect solar radiation so that it does not produce heat. An ASHRAE simulation conducted by the City of Chicago of their City Hall Green Roof showed that every one degree Fahrenheit decrease in ambient air temperature results in a 1.2% drop in cooling energy use. The study suggests that if, over a period of ten years or more, all of the buildings in Chicago were retrofitted with Green Roofs, (30% of the total land area), this would yield savings of $ 100,000,000 annually from reduced cooling load requirements in all of the buildings in Chicago. The cooling would also slow the chemical processes that produce ground level ozone, nitrous oxides and smog, and help offset the production of sulphur dioxides from coal fired utilities.

The Environmental Protection Agency defines an urban heat island (UHI) as a metropolitan area which is significantly warmer than its surroundings. On hot summer days, urban air can be 2-10°F [2-6°C] hotter than the surrounding countryside. Green roofs for businesses in South Florida, can work to reduce urban heat islands, minimize heat-absorbing surfaces, provide improved air quality, as wellhelp with storm water retention and filtration.

Green Roofs can be designed for exceptional storm water retention capability. The plants capture and hold rainwater. Water stored in the growing media is released through evaporation and evapo-transpiration. Storm water retention rates are determined by saturated infiltration capacity, thickness of the growing media, field capacity, porosity, under-drainage layer water retention and flow, and relief drain spacing. Where jurisdictions demand lot-level storm water charges, zero runoff policies, or a requirement for storm water management ponds, this ability to retain storm water may result in direct and indirect financial incentives.

Green Roofs also filter out fine, airborne particulate matter as the air passes over the plants. Airborne particulates tend to get trapped in the surface areas of the greenery. Rains wash it into the growing medium below. Plants also absorb gaseous pollutants through photosynthesis and sequester them in their leaves. Studies show that tree-lined urban streets have 10 - 15% fewer dust particles than found than similar streets without trees.
 
By creating a functional and aesthetic environment, all TectaGreen green roofs provide visual appeal for businesses in Palm Beach County, Broward and Dade County - South Florida. However, an intensive green roof system, trees and shrubs can be included as well as other larger plants in a wider variety. This green space is often an inviting and well-utilized area providing a green respite in an urban setting.

By protecting roof membranes from extreme temperature fluctuations and ultraviolet radiation, a TectaGreen™ green roof can double the life span of a conventional roof, and provide energy savings by reducing heating and cooling costs. TectaGreen can also improve site utilization by reducing the impervious surface area of a building to increase potential square footage for construction. And, because TectaGreen conforms to the rigorous Green Building Rating System standards created by the U.S. Green Building Council there are inherent savings including Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for tax benefits. The LEED program was created to provide a national standard for the building industry. The TectaGreen system contributes directly towards a maximum of 3 points. These points generate tax credit in many states, including Florida.

Commercial Roofing Tips for South Florida Businesses

Commercial roofing is extremely important to the business owner as they want to make certain they get the best type they can to ensure the safety of their customers and meet all the building standards that are in force everyone’s safety in South Florida as well.

One of the main concerns for your commercial roofing job in South Florida is to get a reliable contractor who can do the job right.  It’s imperative to find someone that is reliable, and that can really meet your expectations and the roofing deadline in an imperative manner.  ETM Roofing is South Florida’s premier roofing company, installing green roof gardens, metal roofs, resident and commercial roofing in Palm Beach County, Dade County and Broward County.

We proud ourselves of working with you and our main concern for your commercial roofing job in South Florida is find the most attractive type of commercial roofing for your business.  This may require some research because you certainly want to make certain you have the most attractive roofing that can be offered to you.  You want to get roofing that will give you durability as well as attractiveness as well.

The following options of commercial roofing are available in Florida for your roofing needs:

1.        Sheet metal roofing is often a favorite choice for commercial business owners because it can be attractive as well as one of the most durable that you will be able to purchase.  This really makes it one of the favorite choices because metal roofing can last from 30 – 50 years.

2.       Asphalt shingles are most likely the least inexpensive to purchase and are used by many business owners, but they aren’t nearly as durable as sheet metal roofing.  You also can have a wide variety of choices that can make any exterior look attractive but they usually only last around 20 years.

3.       Tile roofing is a great choice for roofing and can offer you the most attractive of roofing but can be very expensive.  It is indeed durable though and can last up to 50 years, which makes it a viable choice.

So, as you can see, you have many great options to meet your commercial roofing needs in Dade County, Broward County and Palm Beach County Florida, depending on what type of look you wish to achieve.

Crucial Commercial Roofing Tips in Boca Raton, Florida

Commercial roofing is extremely important to the business owner as they want to make certain they get the best type they can to ensure the safety of their customers and meet all the building standards that are in force everyone’s safety in Boca Raton, Florida as well.

One of the main concerns for your commercial roofing job in Boca Raton, Florida is to get a reliable contractor who can do the job right.  It’s imperative to find someone that is reliable, and that can really meet your expectations and the roofing deadline in an imperative manner.  A great way to find someone to do a good job for you is by word of mouth.  Contact some of your friends or business associates and they may be able to tell you of someone they’ve used in the past that did a great job without delay.

Yet another main concern for your commercial roofing job in Boca Raton, Florida is find the most attractive type  of commercial roofing for your business.  This may require some research because you certainly want to make certain you have the most attractive roofing that can be offered to you.  You want to get roofing that will give you durability as well as attractiveness as well.

The following options of commercial roofing are available in Boca Raton, Florida for your roofing needs:

1.        Sheet metal roofing is often a favorite choice for commercial business owners because it can be attractive as well as one of the most durable that you will be able to purchase.  This really makes it one of the favorite choices because metal roofing can last from 30 – 50 years.

2.       Asphalt shingles are most likely the least inexpensive to purchase and are used by many business owners, but they aren’t nearly as durable as sheet metal roofing.  You also can have a wide variety of choices that can make any exterior look attractive but they usually only last around 20 years.

3.       Tile roofing is a great choice for roofing and can offer you the most attractive of roofing but can be very expensive.  It is indeed durable though and can last up to 50 years, which makes it a viable choice.

So, as you can see, you have many great options to meet your commercial roofing needs in Boca Raton, Florida, depending on what type of look you wish to achieve.

Benefits of a Metal Roof in South Florida

Commercial Roofing in West Palm Beach

The Ten Greenest Buildings in the World

We’re not talking hunter green, sea-foam green or Wint-o-Green Lifesavers, just to be perfectly clear. This green is gray, black, charcoal, red and any other color found in the rainbow. It’s all about sustainability, LEED certification, environmental honors, structures under construction and a little dreaming for the future. And though the title of “Greenest Building of the World,” is based somewhat on a subjective notion, there is much to be said about the following group of buildings. Some for living, some for working and all for taking care of our planet, in one way or another.

Robert Redford Building: NRDC SoCal Headquarters — Santa Monica, CA

The National Resources Defense Council led the charge towards greener living and working in 2003, when they went green in their SoCal headquarters. Named in honor of the man who has offered generous support to the organization for over two decades, Mr. Redford was on hand nearly 5 years ago to cut the ribbon, and welcome another green building into the 21st century. Taking an existing building in downtown Santa Monica, the NRDC could easily see the potential of greening this location due to all that the environment already offered. Sun, fresh ocean breezes and recycled water helped to make this location simplistic, energy and environmentally efficient.

Bank of America Tower — New York City

It’s phenomenal how fast they build these buildings, and to know that it was done with renewable materials in an effort to score as many LEED points as possible… it makes me want to reconsider those mean things I’ve said about Bank of America hiking their interest rates. You can’t win them all, I suppose, but the Bank of America tower presently stands as the only completed, sky-scraping structure that has scored a Platinum U.S. LEED rating.

Clinton Presidential Library — Little Rock, Arkansas

Just down the avenue bearing the name of former President Bill Clinton, kudos to team Clinton for making drastic renovations to a building that was only recently constructed, dedicated and opened in 2004. By creating a roof-top garden to help absorb carbon and implementing the use of recyclables, the building has received the U.S. LEED Platinum rating.

Confederation of Indian Industry’s Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre — Hyderabad, India

Of course your building is going to be a paradigm for green commercial structures when you’re in the business of creating green structures. Earning a prestigious award from the United States Green Building Council, the Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre was named the most “environmentally advanced building in the world.” Being the “center of excellence” for energy efficiency, renewable resources, water consumption, recycling and all things “green” in India, it is potentially one of the most important buildings in operation in the Eastern world. Completed in 2004, they’ve employed the venturi effect in cooling the structure, helping to drastically lower the amounts of energy needed to create a comfortable work environment.

Queens Botanical Garden Visitor and Administration Center — Flushing, NY

Who would have thought that a building in Queens would have become the greenest building in the city? Mayor Bloomberg asked the same question as they cut the ribbon and dedicated the new visitors and information center. Receiving a platinum rating from the EPA, there couldn’t be a more perfect structure to serve as the foundation of this 39 acres of natural beauty, just east of Manhattan. Implementing photo-voltaic panels, the new visitors center is able to produce 20 percent of its own electrical needs.

Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability — Vancouver, British Columbia

Nearing completion, it is anticipated that the Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability (CIRS) will be the most “innovative and high performance” green building in North America. Taking the successes of recent architectural designs, CIRS will be capable of 100 percent rain capture and the ability to harvest daylight through exterior transformation. Construction is scheduled to be completed this year.

La Maison du Developpement Durable — Montreal, Quebec

There’s a wall of mystery that is still surrounding this building with its hopeful completion date some time off in 2010. The French name translating to “sustainable development house,” the architects have laid claim to this structure being the greenest building in Canada upon completion. Using both geothermal and thermal accumulators for heating and cooling, recyclables in construction materials, a wall garden for oxygen and air filtration… yeah, there’s a good chance it could become Canada’s most self-sustaining structure.

Alberici Corporate Headquarters — Overland, Missouri

Give it up for the Show Me State! Having been incorporated for nearly 100 years, the Alberici Corporation constructed their new green headquarters in the early 21st century, seeing completion in 2004. They were the 9th newly constructed building to receive a platinum rating from the United States Green Building Council. Not only did Alberici choose to go green, but they formed Vertegy in the same year, a new company branch focusing on the consultation of building and renovating to green standards.

The Greenest Buildings of the Not-Too-Distant Future

Now for a look into what we all thought the 21st century would consist of — concepts that are not just under consideration, but are actually in the number crunching phase of development. Not only would buildings like the following help to generate more attention for the green movement, but they would simultaneously up the world’s architectural ante.

Residence Antilla — Mumbai, India

I saw a few rooftop gardens during my days in NYC, and that was just as the green surface was beginning to be scratched. Not only was it great to see for the sake of the environment, but it was just awesome to admire in regard to aesthetics. The Residence Antilla will take the whole concept of urban farming and gardening to the next level! This residence will actually serve as a home for Indian property mogul Mukesh Ambani. Could we see “the Donald” follow in these footsteps? This will definitely be a building that will create a big green stir upon completion.

Crystal Island — Moscow, Russia

Will this idea and concept ever come to fruition? Who knows. Bottom line, it looks like something from “The Never-Ending Story,” and the type of building you cartoon-draw as a child, only to be told that such a thing could never be built. Bent on housing a million Moscow residents, this “city within a city” will be built to incredibly high green technology standards.

Matty Byloos writes and manages the Green Blog known as: Easy Ways to Go Green, as well as the Organic Food Blog: Organic Eating Daily

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matty_Byloos

The Green Roof Revolution

With global warming and pollution being ever-present topics on the news, it is important for everyone to contribute to making the world a cleaner place. One way to do this is to use ecologically friendly materials when building your home. The wave of the future is green roofing.

A green roof is a roof that is covered with vegetation. Essentially a rooftop garden, green roofs were developed in the 1960s in Germany, and have become quite popular in many European countries. It is only recently however, that green roof technology has begun to catch on in the U.S.

A green roof is excellent for city dwellers who often lack green space such as a yard or a deck. The addition of a green roof can provide a space to express one’s creativity, and bring nature back to the city. In fact, by planting native vegetation, you can invite insects, birds, and butterflies that would otherwise have nowhere else to go. As an added benefit, green rooftops are aesthetically pleasing and offer a visual contrast to the pavement and steel that dominates the cityscape.

The environmental benefits of a green roof are many, and include the reduction of water runoff that occurs with typical homes. A reduction of runoff is good for the entire community, as too much runoff can result in flooding and water contamination. Because green roofs feature soil and plant life, these roofs are able to absorb as much as 75% of falling rainwater. This moisture is then released back into the air through condensation. A typical roof on the other hand is built to be totally waterproof, so every drop of water runs off and drains into the sewers.

Besides reducing water runoff, green roofs are also able to reduce the presence of toxins in the environment. Pollutants in the air and water, as well as carbon dioxide are absorbed by plant life and rendered harmless. These plants also produce oxygen.

Not only are green roofs great for the environment, but they are also an excellent investment. A properly installed green roof can last at least twice as long as typical roofing material, thereby saving you thousands of dollars in repair and replacement costs.

Green roofing can also significantly reduce your heating and cooling bills throughout the year. According to a recent study, building a green roof can reduce your heating and cooling needs by 26%. In cities especially, changes need to be made to the way that structures are built. Temperatures in cities are much higher than in surrounding areas because there is such a prevalence of buildings in a small area. These buildings are made with traditional materials, which absorb and then re-direct the sun’s heat. Cities are therefore much hotter than rural areas where there are less structures, and more green space. In order to combat the rising temperatures, some cities are offering incentives to builders to add green roofing to their projects.

If you decide to build a green roof, you need to keep a couple of things in mind. First, there are two types of green roofs. Traditional style roof gardens, which feature large plants or lawns, require a great deal of maintenance. Feeding, watering, and soil care are all necessary to keep this garden in good condition. Extensive roof gardens on the other hand, have only a thin layer of soil, and require very little work to maintain.

Great for the environment, good for your pocket book, and pleasing to the eye, green roofs are a budding trend that can have a positive impact on the environment. Not only that, but a well constructed green roof can increase the value of your home by thousands of dollars.

Doug Jones is an award-winning San Diego REALTOR with a solid reputation for getting results. Learn more about San Diego real estate today!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Doug_Jones

Welcome to ETM Roofing…

We are a full service roofing company located in West Palm Beach, Florida offering residential, commercial and industrial roofing services. At ETM Roofing, we pride ourselves on providing quality workmanship and a courteous team of experienced professionals. All of our work is guaranteed and customer service is our top priority.

Whether you are seeking a new roof or roof repairs, our highly skilled staff is equipped to handle your specific concerns. Proudly serving the Lake Worth, Florida and West Palm Beach areas.

If you are in need of a reliable and trustworthy roofing contractor, contact ETM Roofing to handle all of your roofing needs. As an experienced roofing contractor company, we have acquired a great level of experience and knowledge in the roofing industry and because of that, we are able to offer you outstanding services and value.

Green Roofs help alleviate:

• Storm Water Management
• Air and Water Purification
• Provides Sound Insulation
• Extends Roof Life
• Adds Value Aesthetics
• Reduces Urban Heat Island Effects

Distinct advantages: Simplicity in Design, Pre-Planted Modules and Movable Modular Features.