Super Eco

Photo credit: greenforall.org on flickr

On the roof it's peaceful as can be
And there the world below can't bother me
by Gerry Goffin and Carole King

“Frisbeetarianism is the belief that when you die, your soul goes up on the roof and gets stuck.”
George Carlin

Just in case George Carlin is right and our souls are destined for the roof, we might as well make them as beautiful and eco-friendly as possible.

Roofs are experiencing a renaissance: green roofing, cool roofing, solar roofing, oh my! Toto we're not in Kansas anymore!

In the battle for the environment, to help mitigate the effects of global warming and heat island effect in cities; to generate solar power and to help with water management, people are now looking to their roofs.

Here are just a few of the wonderful innovations that are currently available:

1. Cool Roofs: Cool roofs are light in color and reflect heat and sunlight back into space. In this way they help to reduce Gobal warming. Installing Cool roof technology reduces household cooling costs in summer and is a marvelous one time Carbon offset. According to the EPA and Department of Energy, based on 2006 data from more than 150 ENERGY STAR partners, cool roof installations are on the rise. Some southern US states--Georgia and Florida--which experience sweltering summers, provide incentives to households and businesses for installing cool white roofs. California has enacted statewide mandates requiring cool roof mitigation.
2. Solar roofs: Solar roofing is becoming more beautiful, innovative and efficient. Solar energy is a tried and true way to cut down on production of greenhouse gasses. Building integrated photovoltaics (BVIP) components are revolutionizing the Solar roofing industry and replacing the need for bulky rooftop solar panels.
3. Green Roofs: Green roofs are a wonderful way to slow the effects of Climate change. They provide insulation to help cut down on heating and cooling costs and they have the added benefit of helping to control storm water runoff, crucial in urban areas. Green roof technology can be a sleek, beautiful and productive way to green any building.

Greening your roof may be one of the most important home renovations that you can effect to help save the planet, so plan it well!