CNN.com Features the Growing Green Roof Trend

In its April 28th issue, CNN.com featured the growing popularity of green roofs in the United States and internationally. Green roofing has become a trend because of its numerous environmental and economic advantages. According to CNN reporters, many German municipalities require green roofs in some cases, while the practice is voluntary in other countries, including the United States.

In the United States, Chicago leads with nearly 300,000 square feet of green roof space as of last year, but other cities such as Washington, D.C., and New York are joining the trend as word spreads about the environmental and economic advantages of green building. Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley told CNN that he feels green roofs are part of an effort to make his city, which offers developers more regulatory incentives for green building than any other in the U.S., “the most environmentally friendly” American city.

Green roofs are beneficial to the developer as well as to the environment and the surrounding community.  Essentially rooftop gardens, green roofs conserve energy by reducing heating and cooling costs, offset the “urban heat island” effect often found in densely populated city areas, and absorb rainwater. For more information on WESTON's green roofing capabilities – the GreenGrid^® Modular System, visit our projects page.