A comprehensive study on green roof performance for retrofitting existing buildings

Green roofs present a viable solution for increasing rainwater retention while improving the energy performanceof both new and existing buildings. Considering the widespread occurrence of existing buildings, it is worthwhileto conduct an in-depth analysis of green roof feasibility for retrofitting these buildings. In such cases, the firstconstraint is related to structural compatibility. Therefore, the use of lightweight systems should be prioritized tominimize overloading of the existing roof. Another possible constraint concerns the viability of green roofs. Themain advantages of green roofs are their energy savings and environmental benefits. In this study, differentgreen roof solutions were evaluated and their performance was compared against the findings of previousstudies. The analysis was carried out in the Mediterranean city of Catania, and the results show that only greenroof solutions with a load limit of 1.46 kN/m2 are suitable for retrofitting existing buildings. As regards theenergy savings, energy consumption for cooling was reduced by 31 –35%, and during winter, energy consumption for heating decreased by 2 –10%. The environmental benefits were quantified during summer andcompared to those of non-vegetated roofs. The results show removals of 1.35 kg m-2·y− 1 of CO2 and 0.03 kg m-2·y− 1 of NO2. Finally, the economic analysis indicates that the discounted payback time of the investment variesfrom 13 to 18 years depending on the substrates and vegetation used on the green roof.