Green Roofs

Highlights

For shallow pitches or flat roofs on all or certain areas of your house, consider a Green roof. The technology has become very sophisticated and the insulation benefits are terrific as well as the run-off water prevention. Plant-filled rooftops offer an attractive and energy-saving alternative to a conventional one.

Green roofs typically cost $8 to $10 a square foot, whereas a regular roof costs about $4 to $6 a square foot. In addition to energy savings via the insulation factor, one of the top reasons for installing a green 'living' or vegetated roof is to absorb rainwater.

The ROI Calculation is based on the offset cost of a 2,000 sq. ft. section of a house. This calculation factors in the replacement cost of typical roof once over 20 years, and spreads the savings across the ten year life of the calculation.

TAX CREDITS: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides you with a 30% Tax Credit for Smart Roofs that are put into service by the end of 2010. This tax credit item is only for existing homes, not new construction, that is your primary residence and it includes ONLY the cost of materials and NOT installation. (3 KEY POINTS - #1: The tax credit cap is $1,500 on collective home improvement elements other than Geo-Thermal 'Ground Source' Heat Pumps, Solar Hot Water Heating, Solar Photovoltaic, and Fuel Cell systems - which each have no cap and are eligible through 2016. #2: The tax credits for exterior 'weatherization' improvements like windows, doors and insulation do not include the cost of installation! #3: If you reach the $1,500 cap in 2009, you are not eligible for additional tax credits in 2010.) Choose Smart Roofs that meet these criteria to get the Tax Credit; and check products carefully, because in many cases an ENERGY STAR certification does not necessarily meet the tax credit requirements below:

Metal and AsphaltRoofs:
• All Energy Star labeled metal and asphalt roofs qualify for the tax credit.
• Must be expected to last 5 years OR have a 2-year warranty.

Make sure to consult with a regional landscape expert to determine the right types of grass and planting for your climate, and you may find that variegated and some ornamental grasses add dramatic interest to your green roof ‘garden’.	TAKE ACTION   Learn More at Greenroofs.com: Click Here Learn More at Greensulate.com: Click Here For a Directory by State of 'Green' Builders, Utility/Sponsors, and Lenders: Click Here
There are so many different blends of grass seed and brands that create ‘mixed’ bags, make sure to find the one that is drought tolerant to reduce the need for over seeding in the future.	Also look into different types of ground cover that requires little maintenance.