Green Roofing Systems the Need of the Hour in Egypt 7 From 7

Cost of Green Roofs

The costs of green roofs vary depending on the components, such as the growing medium, type of roofing membrane, drainage system, use of fencing or railings, and type and quantity of plants.

Initial green roof costs are more than those of most conventional and cool roof technologies.

Green roofs have a longer expected life, though, than most roofing products, so the total annualized costs of a green roof may be closer to those of conventional and cool roofs.

In addition to construction costs, a building owner incurs maintenance costs to care for the plants on a green roof.

Although the level of care depends on plants election, most of the expenses arise in the first years after installation, as the plants establish themselves and mature.

The costs of maintaining an extensive roof decrease after the plants cover the entire roof, where as maintenance costs will remain more constant for an intensive roof A University of Michigan study compared the expected costs of conventional roofs with the cost of a 221,000-square-foot (1,950 m ) green roof and all its benefits, such as storm water management and improved public health from the NOX absorption.

The green roof would cost $464,000 to install versus $335,000 for a conventional roof in 2006 dollars. However, over its lifetime, the green roof would save about $200,000. Nearly two-thirds of these savings would come from reduced energy needs for the building with the green roof.