Blue Roofing- A new environmentally friendly roofing system

As the world becomes more conscious of our effects on the environment, more and more environmentally friendly options have become available. The roofing industry is not excluded from this. Solar systems have been in use for years and are still being updated and improved. In addition to solar systems, blue roofing is the newest innovation in environmentally friendly roofing systems.

What are Blue Roofs?

Blue roofs are roofing systems that collect and store rainwater over a short period.  They are also sometimes called controlled flow roof drain systems. These roofs benefit urban areas where rain floods the streets and causes issues with sewage flooding. Instead of flooding the streets with all of the rainwater at once, these roofs slow the drain of rainwater to prevent overflow in the cities.

Lower Energy Costs

To hold and collect rainwater, blue roofs use configurations of trays. These trays hold water on a flat or low sloped roof and act as a sunlight barrier and insulator. The rainwater helps keep the surface of the roof cool which lowers energy costs. Along with keeping the city clean of sewage flooding, the energy savings makes these roofs a very attractive option.

Potential Issues

If blue roofing sounds like an option to consider for you, there are some things that must be considered first:

• These roofing systems can add a considerable amount of weight to your roof, so it is important to make sure your existing roof can withstand the additional weight.
• An installation of a blue roofing system might void the warranty of your existing roof
• Like anything attached to or installed on a roof, these systems have the potential to cause problems with any roof system if not installed and flashed properly

It’s very important, before installing a blue roofing system, to contact a trusted roofing professional to discuss the pros and cons.