Why would I want to put a garden on my roof? Living roof, vegetative roof, eco-roof… green roofs go by many names. Imagine Greek herbs and local island greenery on top of your home in Greece, making your home blend in with the surrounding landscape. Green roofs are getting more popular in Greece, but is it just a trend? What are the benefits of a green roof, and should I consider putting a green roof on my home in Greece?
1. Green Roofs Clean the Air
Plants are a built-in filtration system for the local environment. Plants clean the area of greenhouse gases and air pollution, as well as dust. Big, leafy plants are more effective, but even small shrubs and grasses can make a difference.
2. Green Roofs Improve Insulation
Grass and the vegetation on your roof give you better insulation. The plants keep the hot sun of the Greek summer from hitting the roof directly and heating up the home. This is one of the reasons why Greeks built cave homes even hundreds of years ago: to keep cool. A similar effect comes from the white homes you see in the Cyclades, with white paint reflecting the heat.
3. Green Roofs Save You Energy
Green roofs reduce energy usage because they insulate. So you need to heat your home less in the winter, and cool the home less in the summer. So, if you have a green roof, you will expect lower energy costs the whole year. Of course, there will be setup costs for installing a green roof, but in the long run, it may pay for itself.
4. Green Roofs Last Longer
Green roofs help protect your home from harsh weather. While Greece has fairly mild weather and you won’t have much rain to worry about if you live in the south of Greece, roof deterioration is normal over a long period of time. In a report by the United States General Services Administration, some green roofs were reported to last twice as long as a traditional roof.
5. Green Roofs Help Biodiversity
Green roofs can create a habitat on a space that otherwise would not be used. This means that local birds and small animals may come to visit. Some of Greece’s native birds, especially in Crete and in coastal areas, are a beautiful sight. The biggest impact of a green roof is in urban areas, where there are no other green spaces. However, even in the Greek countryside, a green roof can make your home benefit the local ecosystem.
6. Green Roofs Reduce Noise
Green roofs can reduce noise pollution and keep your home quieter, creating a sense of privacy. The amount of sound insulation, of course, depends on how thick the roof is, and how much the soil swells when you water it. The more thick the soil, the better sound insulation you will have.
7. Green Roofs Increase the Value of Your Home in Greece
Green roofs add aesthetic value to the building, and because of the trend towards environmental sustainability, buyers may be more likely pay a premium for a home with a green roof. There is also a psychological effect when viewing a home with a green roof. Think of a walk through a park: It relaxes you and lowers your heart rate. The result: Potential buyers may feel more comfortable when visiting your home.
Ultimately, green roofs are not just an architectural trend but a practical step towards more sustainable living in Greece.
Now that you know the benefits of a green roof, you might think, “Why DON’T I have a green roof?” If you’re not convinced, there are also other ways to make your home in Greece more eco-friendly. Read about five other eco-friendly changes you can make to your home in Greece here.
