Green Roofs Growth In The United States

Replacing black asphalt and.

Green roofs growth in the united states. The variability of green roof designs and climates in the united states makes it impractical to list every possible plant candidate for extensive green roofs. Chicago which now has more green roofs than any other u s. Any review of current trends reveals an energized market defined by a number of demand factors. City last year added 600 000 square feet of green roofs and has some 600 projects that will bring its total to 7 million square feet.

The demand for green buildings and environmentally friendly roofing solutions is driving fast growth in the roofing systems market which is expected to top 157 billion by 2021. With some of the existing warehouses this translates to a potential of at least 1 billion of square feet of new extensive green roofs every year that could retain the volume of lake constance that is surrounded by three countries germany switzerland and austria or over the double volume of lake powell ut az. American rivers suggests that a usd 10b investment could create 190 000 jobs by building 48 5 billion square feet of green roof area or just one percent of the united states roof space in every community over 50 000 in population. Today s living green wall market.

The growth of green roof markets gives new job opportunities related to manufacturing plant growth design installation and maintenance. The growth of green roofs in the us mirrors their use in other countries like germany where they are more commonly seen. As a general rule potentially suitable species can be found by looking at the microclimate media depth solar levels water availability etc of the green roof in question and comparing it to a plant s native habitat. The general services administration gsa has designed and maintained green roofs for decades and finds them to be economical amenities that make fiscal and environmental sense.

As the urgent question of sustainable healthy design spurs the green wall market to new heights architects and designers must consider market trends and recent growth to best plan for future biophilic development. San francisco s better roofs ordinance san francisco was the first to develop a mandate for green roofing. Annually 500 million square feet or 8800 football fields of lost nature by building new warehouses in the united states alone. The toronto based organization green roofs for healthy cities estimates an increase of about 15 percent in the number of green roofs in north america since 2013.