Blue Roofs: A Sustainable Choice
- Media Manager
- Jul 6, 2021
- 2 min read
RenoAssistance
Written By: Chantal Tellier
Published: July 7th, 2021
Are you thinking of replacing the roof on your commercial building? Consider a blue roof! While not as well-known as green roofs, they offer many advantages. They’re excellent for stormwater management in urban settings. In particular, their ability to store water during intense storms (which have become more common due to climate change) helps alleviate pressure on city sewer systems. The water is released slowly to help prevent flooding.
The stored water can also be used in different ways: to water gardens, to cool buildings, for domestic use, etc. Blue roofs are a promising sustainable solution for environmental challenges.
While both blue roofs and green roofs help reduce the impact of stormwater on sewer networks during heavy rainfall and prevent flooding, they have some key differences.
Green roofs are an excellent option for stormwater management – they act as sponges, retaining a great deal of water. Plants, as well as their substrate and drainage systems, absorb and retain water naturally. As a result, green roofs reduce the amount of ground-level run-off compared to traditional roofing systems (pipes and gutters).
Blue roofs go further – their purpose is to retain water for as long as possible. A stormwater retention system combined with an excess-flow restrictor prevents water saturation. The water collected can also be used to cool the building, for domestic use, for gardening, and even for recreational purposes.
A combination of green and blue roofs yields the most effective stormwater management system. Water is retained in both the substrate and storage units located underneath it, as well as paved areas. It also provides maximum stormwater collection.
