Green Roof Albedo

One of the more recent advancements in the field of green commercial construction are what are known as cool or albedo roofs.

Green roof albedo.

Ultimately the albedo of a green roof is about twice higher than the albedos found for dark roofing surfaces. On the contrary green roofs recorded an equivalent albedo of 0 7 0 85 gaffin et al 2006. Albedo or solar reflectance is a measure of a material s ability to reflect sunlight including the visible infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths on a scale of 0 to 1 an albedo of 0 0 indicates that the surface absorbs all solar radiation and an albedo of 1 0 represents total reflectivity. 2006 also made a comparison of temperatures of the subsurface the conventional rooftop level and the green roof surface.

Sustainable roofing glossary albedo. One way to increase the albedo of a roof is to plant vegetation. Although the primary focus of a green roof is not simply improving the surface albedo like the intentions of cool roofs it is still a significant improvement from a traditional black roof. They have a positive impact on temperature both within the building and outside as well as improving air quality.

The city of chicago has also attempted to make a change by creating a network of green alleyways by removing the former dark pavement and replacing it with albedo concrete.