Green Roofs Growth In The United States

The growth of green roof markets gives new job opportunities related to manufacturing plant growth design installation and maintenance.

Green roofs growth in the united states.

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 variability of green roof designs and climates in the united states makes it impractical to list every possible plant candidate for extensive green roofs. 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. Chicago which now has more green roofs than any other u s.

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. 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. 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. Any review of current trends reveals an energized market defined by a number of demand factors.

According to the organization green roofs for healthy cities in 2012 the washington dc metropolitan region installed the most green roofs in north america with 1 326 872 square feet. The growth of green roofs in the us mirrors their use in other countries like germany where they are more commonly seen. Aerial view the chicago city hall green roof on the west portion of the city hall county building. 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.

San francisco s better roofs ordinance san francisco was the first to develop a mandate for green roofing. Added 190 000 square feet in 2009 and has set a goal of 20 percent green roof coverage by 2020. 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. Replacing black asphalt and.