Green/Sustainable

Jones & Cleary Roofing is committed to green and sustainable roofing practices
 

In both new construction and retro-fit applications, green roofs offer some distinct advantages that other roofing systems cannot, namely:

  • Aesthetic beauty
  • Additional living space
  • Reductions of heat, pollution and storm water runoff
  • LEED Certification Points

There are two types of vegetative green roofing systems that can be installed:

 

Intensive

This type of green roof is generally built in place and has a soil depth of greater than 6 inches.  It is an ideal green roof to create an outdoor living space and can support larger varieties of plants, shrubs, and smaller trees.  When considering this type of green roof there are some factors that you must take into account:

  • Ease off access to the green space for maintenance
  • Water access for the green space as these roofs generally require more water
  • A structural survey to guarantee that the roof can support the added weight

Extensive

This type of green roof can either be built in place or installed in a modular system of removable trays. This method has a soil depth of 2 inches to 6 inches. An extensive green roof is commonly installed in areas where there would be little to no foot traffic but is still visible to the occupants of the building. They are planted with more drought resistant plants, such as succulents and some varieties of sedums.

Like an intensive green roof, consider these factors before installing an extensive green roof:

  • A structural survey to guarantee that the roof can support the weight
  • Water access for the green space (while these plants are typically more drought resistant, no plant is drought proof and will require watering when rain levels are low)

Another sustainable roofing system installed by Jones & Cleary is:

Cool Roofing

We also specialize in “cool roofing”, or true white membrane applications. A cool roof is obtained by adding insulation to the roof and them installing a true white roofing membrane. This is particularly important in the Chicagoland area with the implementation of new roofing codes by the City of Chicago which state:

  • A new low sloped roof must have an initial reflectivity of .72 and an emissivity of .92

         - Reflectivity is the measurement at which the sunlight is reflected off of the roof surface

         - Emissivity is the measurement at which heat is dissipated from the roof surface

  • R-value of 30 or greater obtained by adding insulation

Installing green/sustainable roofing systems, as well as using many products with recycled content Jones & Cleary regularly contributes to project LEED points.

 

Contact Jones & Cleary for more information on green and sustainable roofing systems in Chicagoland.