USA 'seeing rise in green roofing'

The USA is seeing a major rise in the number of green roofs, it has been reported.

A survey by Toronto-based not-for-profit organisation Green Roofs for Healthy Cities has found that there has been a rise of 30 per cent in the number of green roofs across North America in the past year, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Such roofs may appeal to those who want to invest in environmentally-friendly properties in the USA.

Comprising plants such as water-absorbent sedum, green roofs can reduce storm water run-off, recycle water for appliances such as flush toilets, plus reduce heat in urban areas.

The paper noted that a new pilot scheme in New York State is providing tax incentives to encourage people to install such roofs on private residences.

New York remains a very popular place for Britons to buy US property, the senior vice president at Sotheby's International Realty Royce Pinkwater stated this week.

"The Brits are among our top buyers in New York," he told Forbes.