Green (Vegetative) Roofing

As Quoted In Roofing Contractor

Financial Incentives and Demand for Green Space Amenities to Drive Growth in Green Roofing Market

Through 2023, the US green (vegetative) roofing market is forecast to increase 11% per year. The most significant advances are projected for cities that have adopted legislation mandating green roof installations and/or that offer related incentives (such as green infrastructure funding or credits for stormwater treatment fees). While stormwater fee credits and other sustainable building incentives are the top reasons for installing green roofs, additional market drivers include the aesthetic and recreational benefits of green space amenities, urban heat island effect mitigation, improved building energy efficiency, and the contribution to improved air quality and biodiversity.

Key Findings in the Green (Vegetative) Roofing Study:

Extensive Green Roof Assemblies to Account for Majority of Installations

The majority of green roofs will continue to feature extensive systems, as these assemblies are able to meet stormwater retention standards, LEED requirements, and other green building codes at a significantly lower cost than intensive systems. Nonetheless, higher-cost intensive vegetative roofs will continue to see significant use in large, highly congested cities where green spaces are scarce. The installation of rooftop gardens in these major metropolitan areas improves the ability of building owners in competitive real estate markets to attract tenants and to charge higher rental fees.

The South will Continue to Lead All US Regions in Green Roof Demand

Of the four US regions, the South is expected to remain the leading green roof market, bolstered by the relatively large number of installations each year in South Atlantic cities such as Washington, DC; Atlanta; Baltimore; and Miami. Green roofing suppliers in these areas benefit from significant government support for vegetative roofing, as well as from warm climates that support investments to improve energy efficiency. Other key metropolitan markets are in the Middle Atlantic (e.g., New York), Pacific (e.g., San Francisco, Portland), and East North Central (e.g., Chicago) subregions.

While each US region will continue to see green roof demand rise rapidly from a small base, the fastest market growth is anticipated in the West, supported by mandates for vegetative roofing passed in San Francisco and Portland. (A recent mandate in Denver was revised to require cool roofs instead of costlier vegetative systems.)

Suppliers Play Key Roles in Promoting Green Roofs and Their Benefits

Among the most popular vegetative roof systems are Garden Roof (American Hydrotech), GreenShield (Garland), and LiveRoof (LiveRoof subsidiary of Hortech) assemblies. Unlike other segments of the roofing industry, key marketing strategies in the green roof sector often focus on educating potential customers about the benefits of green roofs, including their environmental advantages and long-term cost savings.

Study Coverage

This study presents historical demand data (2008, 2013, 2018) and forecasts for 2023 and 2028 by market (new construction, retrofit), system (extensive, semi-intensive, intensive), component (vegetation, growing media, geotextiles & drainage layer, insulation, waterproof membrane, other), and region and subregion (South Atlantic, East South Central, West South Central, East North Central, West North Central, Mountain, Pacific, Middle Atlantic, New England). Demand is also provided for Canada. Data are presented in US dollars and square feet of coverage area. The study also provides analysis on key industry players including American Hydrotech, Carlisle Construction Materials (Carlisle Companies), Firestone Building Products (Bridgestone), Garland, Henry, LiveRoof (Hortech), SOPREMA, XeroFlor North America (Low & Bonar), and ZinCo.