Roofing is usually not one of the first things you think of when making a list of home improvements that could reduce your electricity bills and help improve the environment. However, there are a few sustainable roofing systems that could provide benefits not available from your standard roof. Cool roofs, green roofs and blue roofs can help to mitigate climate change through some unique characteristics.
To combat the urban heat island effect, the City of Miami Beach passed the Urban Heat Island Ordinance which requires new construction to install a sustainable roofing system. Sustainable roofing systems can be solar roofs, blue roofs, cool roofs, green roofs, and other roofing systems that will reduce the heat island effect, allow reuse or retention of stormwater or reduce greenhouse gases.