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Why do barns have green roof?

A green roof can help prevent this by retaining water in the plants and growing medium, thus slowing and reducing the amount of storm water entering the ecosystem and, consequently, reducing flooding and erosion.

nps.gov - Green Roofs on Historic Buildings: Green Roof Benefits

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Insulates the Building

A dark, heat–absorbing roof surface increases demands on mechanical systems, making it more difficult to adequately cool a building, whereas a green roof reduces the temperature of the roof and, therefore, the building itself. The extra layers of a green roof also serve as insulation. This decreases the amount of heat passing into the building, reduces cooling loads, and offers some insulation during the heating season, although, it is important to note, it does not replace the need for additional thermal insulation. The benefit is greatest for buildings with a high roof–to–wall ratio (i.e., buildings with a greater amount of roof area vs. exterior wall area). The additional layers of roofing and growing medium also help minimize the noise on the interior from mechanical equipment on the roof.

Improves Efficiency of Mechanical Equipment

Cooler roof temperatures produced by a green roof help boost the efficiency of rooftop mechanical equipment by making the air on the roof cooler. When in cooling mode, HVAC equipment must pre–cool outside air to get it to the required temperature. If the air on the roof is made cooler by a green roof, this process is easier and uses less energy. Therefore, lower air temperatures on the roof improve the efficiency of heat–rejecting rooftop HVAC equipment because it is operating at a lower ambient temperature.

Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The reduction in cooling loads also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion associated with the use of HVAC equipment. Adding plants and trees to the urban landscape in turn increases photosynthesis, reducing carbon dioxide levels produced by vehicles, industrial facilities, and mechanical systems. It also increases oxygen production.

Extends Roof Life

A green roof can increase the life expectancy of a roofing system by protecting the roofing materials from direct ultra–violet radiation and extreme temperatures. As a result, the roof structure can require less maintenance, saving the owner money in replacement costs over the long–term life of the roofing system. A well–maintained green roof can more than double the number of years before a roof needs to be replaced compared to a standard roof, making up for some of the added costs of installation.

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Why do barns have red roofs?

New England settlers didn't have enough money to paint their farms. So they needed a cheap way to protect the barns' wood. They mixed skimmed milk, lime, and red iron oxide to make a red, plastic-like coating. The coating protected the wood and kept barns warmer in the winter.

businessinsider.com - Here's Why Barns Are Painted Red - Business Insider

Ever drove down the countryside and wondered why all the barns are painted red? The answer, like most things, lies in our history. New England settlers didn't have enough money to paint their farms. So they needed a cheap way to protect the barns' wood. They mixed skimmed milk, lime, and red iron oxide to make a red, plastic-like coating. The coating protected the wood and kept barns warmer in the winter. Soon, manufacturers began preparing paint with chemical pigments. Red became the most famous among farmers because it was the cheapest. The tradition continues today.

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