Building Roof
Building rooftops are exposed to direct sunlight throughout the day, and as a result are potentially significant contributors to the heat island effect experienced in urban areas. One green building strategy which addresses the impacts of roofs is the use of Energy Star roof-compliant, high reflectance and high emissivity roofing systems.
An alternative approach is the use of green roofs, which have the potential to provide energy savings, heat island mitigation, stormwater retention and aesthetic appeal. Green roofs can provide energy savings by minimizing heat gains and losses through the roof. The cooling effect of evapotranspiration on green roofs also means that these roofs emit less sensible heat than more conventional dark coloured roofs.