Blue Roofs: An Eco-Friendly Tech Innovation

Blue Roofs: An Eco-Friendly Tech Innovation

More and more people are talking about blue roofs, a new concept in roofing. This latest innovation is quickly proving to be a precious ally for combatting climate change in urban areas by acting as a stormwater management system.

 

Can you install this type of roof on a residential building? How does it work? We have all the answers!

Blue and Green Roofs: What’s the Difference?

We are generally more familiar with green roofs, an environmentally friendly type of roof that is increasingly common in real estate projects. A green roof is constructed by adding a layer of vegetation to improve the building’s air quality and energy efficiency. A conventional green roof is covered with plants that naturally drain stormwater laterally. It can also serve as a garden where you can grow your own vegetables or ornamental plants. A green roof requires a low pitched or flat surface, which is rarely the case for residential properties.

Blue roofs, for their part, aim to minimize pressure on sewer systems by capturing rainwater, and just like a green roof, can also be vegetated. The two systems, green and blue roofs, can be integrated together in a single building. Nevertheless, a blue roof is generally not installed on residential properties, but rather on large industrial buildings.

The Advantages of Blue Roofs?

It offers several advantages, such as reducing the risk of flooding or collecting water for other uses, like cooling and irrigation systems or for domestic use. Indeed, this water is perfect for washing the car or watering plants.

Regarding flood prevention, blue roofs are a powerful tool for cities where sewer and storm water systems are connected, and heavy rainfall can quickly lead to flooding and overflow.

As with green roofs, the disadvantages of blue roofs versus conventional roofs are that they are more expensive to build and maintain, they add substantial weight to the structure and the system requires regular upkeep. Yet, in comparison to a green roof, a blue roof is much cheaper—up to ten times cheaper—to install.

Where Can You Find Them?

Blue roofs can be installed on commercial, industrial and even residential buildings, on a flat or low-pitched roof. They can likewise be designed to be compatible with other systems such as solar panels, energy systems (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), green roofs, as well as recreational uses such as water play areas for children. Some architects decide to include a blue roof during major renovations. However, because they require the involvement of a structural engineer and all the challenges that this entails, blue roofs are typically installed on new buildings instead of existing ones.

The Possibilities

Since the name “blue roof” primarily refers a stormwater management system rather than a specific design, a blue roof’s appearance varies greatly according to its use. It often looks like a green roof covered with vegetation. Active-type blue roofs require a motor to control the flow of water, which can be manually activated or connected to an electronic timer. Passive systems also regulate water flow, but without mechanical means. Instead, water retention ponds, porous material blocks, or modular surfaces are employed.

In an effort to reduce the impact of climate change, blue and green roofs, as well as other environmentally sound systems, will become far more prevalent in our cities. You can bet that in a few years, more and more private homes will be equipped with this green technology. Will you be a blue roof early adopter?

RE/MAX Québec

By RE/MAX Québec

By RE/MAX Québec

A leader in the real estate industry since 1982, the RE/MAX network brings together the most efficient brokers.