News You Can Use - The Many Shades of Green

Plantings, Not Shingles, Gaining Favor As Cover for Houses in Central Ohio
By Jill Laster, The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio

Central Ohioans looking to add a garden to their homes have a new option from builders: the roof.

Green roofs use plantings on top of water-resistant membranes to lower energy costs, deflect heat, extend the life of the roof, reduce storm-water runoff and absorb noise.

Demand for the roofs is growing across the United States. More than 3.1 million square feet of green roofing was installed during 2008 in the United States, a 35 percent increase from 2007, according to Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, an industry association. Although green roofs are most common on businesses, homeowners are starting to take notice.

In central Ohio, several companies are selling green roofs, including LiveRoof, GreenGrid and Green Roof Blocks. No local homeowner has installed a living roof yet, but they say they have had an increase in callers both in central Ohio and nationwide.

"I think it's part of an increased awareness of our impact on the planet," said Kelly Luckett, president of Green Roof Blocks of Florissant, Mo. "Green roofs are just a small part of that.
Aesthetics play a role as well. Jeff Salisbury and Christine Plepys of Newport, Ky., added a green roof to their new garage three years ago because they wanted something pleasant to look at from their porch. Read more.