Best Practices

Green roofs create habitat for birds and wildlife and, if accessible, add amenities and learning tools for building occupants.  

There are many options for building a green roof. For a more comprehensive approach to designing green roofs, see LEEDuser’s green roofs strategy page. 

The use of a light-colored roofing material typically reduces cooling bills, especially for low-rise buildings. 

Why are sloped roofs treated differently? A surface absorbs more energy from the sun when it is parallel to the ground plane. In the summer months when the heat island effect is more of a problem, the sun is nearly overhead, and flat roofs are in a position to absorb more heat, so it’s more important for them to have a higher

The following are a few of the many factors to consider:

Include regular weeding practices for any open-grid paving, to keep the material durable and ensure that the spaces do not become clogged.

Include regular cleaning practices for hardscapes and coverings, especially for light-colored surfaces, as their

Ensure that the materials and landscaping are used according to your specifications for credit compliance.

Be sure to collect the

Consider locating parking underground, freeing up more site area for other uses, such as larger building footprints, open space, and landscaping.