A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Selecting the Proper Components for a Green Roof Growing Media
What goes up on a roof can come down ...... but it will cost you. Understanding the long-term design intent of a green roof project can thwart future expense when a change is desired. The installation costs of green roof media vary. There are many factors to consider. A ground-level intensive installation can be much less expensive compared to an extensive ten stories up. $150.00 per cubic yard sounds like a high price to install the material on a high-rise; however you can double that figure when it must be removed because it did not perform to specifications. If the crane is gone and the building is occupied, a wheel barrow up and down an elevator on a Sunday may be the only option. When selecting a growing media for a green roof system, it must be understood that the performance of the plant material is affected by the micro-climate. Media for sedums and other succulents for the green roof are limited to the species of plants that can tolerate the drying conditions. Plants that are not drought tolerant cannot survive the summer heat growing in the typical extensive green roof media designed only for sedums. Installing irrigation will allow some seasonal plants to thrive but this defeat's the purpose for what we define as an "extensive green roof". I have seen sedums do very well in Intensive green roof media; however during long periods of wet weather, especially during the winter months, some species may succumb to root rot. During the past few years, the performance of green roof media has been evaluated; and it was determined that the most crucial physical property the media should have is good drainage. This is made more challenging with the desire for green roof systems to retain additional water to not only reduce irrigation needs but also reduce and cleanse runoff in urban areas. Less water and fertilizer means slower initial growth but better sustainability for sedums and less weed growth. When the client desires total plant coverage, many designers use seasonal color (annuals) plants to fill in the gaps; however water and fertilizers are needed for this most filler plantings to look their best. This paper will discuss methods of installing media and review studies and plant trials to determine the proper media to maximize sustainability while meeting the expectations of the design intent.
Selecting the Proper Components for a Green Roof Growing Media
What goes up on a roof can come down ...... but it will cost you. Understanding the long-term design intent of a green roof project can thwart future expense when a change is desired. The installation costs of green roof media vary. There are many factors to consider. A ground-level intensive installation can be much less expensive compared to an extensive ten stories up. $150.00 per cubic yard sounds like a high price to install the material on a high-rise; however you can double that figure when it must be removed because it did not perform to specifications. If the crane is gone and the building is occupied, a wheel barrow up and down an elevator on a Sunday may be the only option. When selecting a growing media for a green roof system, it must be understood that the performance of the plant material is affected by the micro-climate. Media for sedums and other succulents for the green roof are limited to the species of plants that can tolerate the drying conditions. Plants that are not drought tolerant cannot survive the summer heat growing in the typical extensive green roof media designed only for sedums. Installing irrigation will allow some seasonal plants to thrive but this defeat's the purpose for what we define as an "extensive green roof". I have seen sedums do very well in Intensive green roof media; however during long periods of wet weather, especially during the winter months, some species may succumb to root rot. During the past few years, the performance of green roof media has been evaluated; and it was determined that the most crucial physical property the media should have is good drainage. This is made more challenging with the desire for green roof systems to retain additional water to not only reduce irrigation needs but also reduce and cleanse runoff in urban areas. Less water and fertilizer means slower initial growth but better sustainability for sedums and less weed growth. When the client desires total plant coverage, many designers use seasonal color (annuals) plants to fill in the gaps; however water and fertilizers are needed for this most filler plantings to look their best. This paper will discuss methods of installing media and review studies and plant trials to determine the proper media to maximize sustainability while meeting the expectations of the design intent.
Selecting the Proper Components for a Green Roof Growing Media
Friedrich, Chuck (author)
Second National Low Impact Development Conference ; 2007 ; Wilmington, North Carolina, United States
Low Impact Development ; 240-251
2008-11-07
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
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