Green RoofsGreen RoofsCDAE 170CDAE 170

By: Holly Crimmins, Teddy By: Holly Crimmins, Teddy Dobbin & Justin GeibelDobbin & Justin Geibel

What are What are they?they?

Green Roofs or “eco-roofs” are roofs planted Green Roofs or “eco-roofs” are roofs planted with vegetation or soil that grow on the actual with vegetation or soil that grow on the actual roof.roof.

A green roof can also be a roof that A green roof can also be a roof that encompasses solar panelsencompasses solar panels

They are not roofs made with green shinglesThey are not roofs made with green shingles

How do they work?How do they work?

Most use a specially formulated lightweight Most use a specially formulated lightweight compost or soil as a growing mediumcompost or soil as a growing medium

Depth of soil or growing medium ranges Depth of soil or growing medium ranges from 6 inches on extensive green roofs to 4 from 6 inches on extensive green roofs to 4 feet on intensive green roofsfeet on intensive green roofs

Provide aesthetic value to buildings and a Provide aesthetic value to buildings and a green space for people to enjoygreen space for people to enjoy

Vegetation and soil effectively collect Vegetation and soil effectively collect rainwaterrainwater

Green Roofs protect rubber roof Green Roofs protect rubber roof membranes from water and sun damagemembranes from water and sun damage

Different Types of Green RoofsDifferent Types of Green RoofsExtensiveExtensive

Designed to be lightweight, Designed to be lightweight, maximize the environmental maximize the environmental benefitsbenefits

Soil or growing medium is usually Soil or growing medium is usually 6 inches deep or less, generally 6 inches deep or less, generally planted with native speciesplanted with native species

Usually not accessible to the Usually not accessible to the publicpublic

IntensiveIntensive Generally designed as public Generally designed as public

“green space” for building tenants “green space” for building tenants or general publicor general public

Heavier than extensive roofs Heavier than extensive roofs because they require more soilbecause they require more soil

Can support wider variety of plant Can support wider variety of plant life, but require more life, but require more maintenance (irrigation control, maintenance (irrigation control, soil quality, etc.)soil quality, etc.)

What plants are typically What plants are typically grown on green roofs?grown on green roofs?

Plants must be tougher and less nutrient-dependent than most garden Plants must be tougher and less nutrient-dependent than most garden plantsplants

The most successful green roof plants are low-growing, shallow-rooted The most successful green roof plants are low-growing, shallow-rooted perennial plants that are heat, cold, sun, wind, drought, salt, insect, and perennial plants that are heat, cold, sun, wind, drought, salt, insect, and disease tolerant disease tolerant

Annuals and Perennials are most often utilized in the landscape design of Annuals and Perennials are most often utilized in the landscape design of green roofsgreen roofs

The types of plants chosen depend significantly on regional weather The types of plants chosen depend significantly on regional weather patterns, soil depth and quality, landscape design, roof size, and irrigation patterns, soil depth and quality, landscape design, roof size, and irrigation systemssystems

Commonly used annual - Phacelia campanularia

Example of a useful perennial –

Petrorhagia Perennial - Campanula

rotundifolia

What do they What do they do?do?AdvantagesAdvantages

Clean the air by absorbing greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide Clean the air by absorbing greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide Provide space for the plant & wildlife habitat that has been displaced Provide space for the plant & wildlife habitat that has been displaced

by buildingby building Decrease the temperature on a roofDecrease the temperature on a roof

In a city this can reduce the “urban heat-island effect”In a city this can reduce the “urban heat-island effect” Decrease heating and cooling loads on a roof and the building. More Decrease heating and cooling loads on a roof and the building. More

energy efficient building.energy efficient building. Manage and utilize stormwater, and filter toxins and pollutants out of Manage and utilize stormwater, and filter toxins and pollutants out of

waterwater Utilize recycled materials that would otherwise be put in landfillsUtilize recycled materials that would otherwise be put in landfills

Some disadvantagesSome disadvantages

The cost of replacing the roof with a The cost of replacing the roof with a green roof on it can be expensivegreen roof on it can be expensive

Faulty waterproofing can cause Faulty waterproofing can cause extensive roof damage.extensive roof damage.

A green roof can place a heavy A green roof can place a heavy load on a structureload on a structure

History of Green History of Green RoofsRoofs

Date back thousands of years.Date back thousands of years. 500 B.C there were green roofs in the Hanging Gardens of 500 B.C there were green roofs in the Hanging Gardens of

BabylonBabylon Germany has been building modern green roofs for over 30 yearsGermany has been building modern green roofs for over 30 years

Germany provides indirect and direct subsidies and Germany provides indirect and direct subsidies and ordinances for the installation of green roofs ordinances for the installation of green roofs Reduction of storm water taxesReduction of storm water taxes mitigation for the provision of open space mitigation for the provision of open space Direct monetary subsidy to developers who use green Direct monetary subsidy to developers who use green

roofsroofs Canada is working on a Green Roof Initiative to hopefully Canada is working on a Green Roof Initiative to hopefully

provide compensation/initiatives of some sortprovide compensation/initiatives of some sort New York City, Atlanta, Chicago, Portland OR, Seattle, and New York City, Atlanta, Chicago, Portland OR, Seattle, and

Washington, D.C., are looking into different types of incentive Washington, D.C., are looking into different types of incentive programs.programs.

Green Roofs at UVMGreen Roofs at UVM

University Heights North University Heights North ComplexComplex

Davis Center –on Davis Center –on the 2the 2ndnd level of the level of the

west sidewest side

SourcesSources http://http://www.hrt.msu.edu/faculty/Rowe/Green_roof.htmwww.hrt.msu.edu/faculty/Rowe/Green_roof.htm http://www.deq.state.mi.us/documents/deq-ess-p2-p2week-http://www.deq.state.mi.us/documents/deq-ess-p2-p2week-

greenroofresources.docgreenroofresources.doc http://www.garlandco.com/green-roof-history.htmlhttp://www.garlandco.com/green-roof-history.html http://www.greenroofs.com/Greenroofs101/http://www.greenroofs.com/Greenroofs101/

industry_support.htmindustry_support.htm http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

AID=/20070826/NEWS01/708260306/1009AID=/20070826/NEWS01/708260306/1009 http://http://media.www.vermontcynic.com/media/storage/paper308/

news/2006/01/31/News/University.Heights.Completed-1545711.shtml

http://www.mngreenroofs.org/types