In ancient times when the number of humans on earth was not
as much as now, and the trend of urbanization was not spreading fast, most of
the land was green. There were forests, fields, pastures, and trees all around.
Extensive gardens were full of trees and green plants. But as the population
increased over the years, more humans needed more land to build houses because
of which a considerable number of forests and green valleys have been converted
into urban areas with homes, buildings, and roads.
Deforestation is a major
global issue in the current era as trees are the source of purifying the
environment. Human activities lead to emission of toxic gases, pollutants, and
hazardous substances green lands and green plants absorb these pollutants and
help keep the environment clean. But in the current area, the enormous
population is destroying the environment.
We pollute the environment, and we also cut down the trees
so that there is no way left for cleaning it. Green plants are a source of
oxygen, more humans need more oxygen to survive, but instead of protecting the
plants for our good, we are always destroying them to build shelters. As we
know that shelter is also a basic human need; thus, what can we do to protect
and spread the green land. A simple solution is to have a green roof. It is
just like shifting your garden from the ground to the top of the house. In this
way, you can have shelter without destroying the green land, and it also has a
large number of benefits you and your house. However, the procedure is a little
complex because you don't want your roof to seep water or roots of plants
penetrating the ceiling which are some of the main reasons due to which people
question having a green roof.
It is not something to worry about; you can consult a
structural engineer for this purpose, and he can guide you the whole method
through which your roof remains protected, and your garden flourishes both at
the same time. To protect the roof, first of all, a waterproof layer is placed
on the roof, which does not let the water seep into the ceiling and insulates
and protects it. Secondly, there is a layer for drainage of water, and to
prevent the roots from penetrating the roof after ensuring complete protection
of your house, then comes the soil. Usually, drought-tolerant plants are
chosen so that your roof remains evergreen even when there is no rain. All of
this might sound costly, but this is all a one-time cost, and it benefits you
in many ways, also saving your money in the future. These roofs keep the
temperature of your house low during summers and lower your utility bills. In
this way, you will eventually get back what you spent on it. There are also
other benefits like increasing the life of the roof, keeping the air fresh,
fire resistance, and a decrease in outside noise.
Infographic by: http://evolvedesignbuild.net/
