What You Need to do More of, Better, and Differently When It Comes to Green Roofs: Lessons Learned from

10 Years of Green Roof Research and Construction in North America

Part 2 Green Roof Markets, Construction and Vegetation Techniques

Roger Grothe Jake Grothe Aloha Landscaping

Green Roof Markets

New Construction - Public New Construction Private Demonstration Project Research Project Roof Replacement Value-Add Project

Roof Replacement
Upgrade to Green Roof If Structurally Capable Take Advantage of Tax Credits and Watershed Grants Re-Brand as a Green Building Less Expensive

Value-Add Project
Create New Value With Green Space Amenity Take Advantage of Tax Credits and Watershed Grants Position Property for Future Green Infrastructure Improvements

Types of Green Roofs

Type of Roof Flat Sloped Plaza/Entertainment Canopy Extensive (<15 cm) X X X X X Intensive (> 15 cm) X

Extensive Green Roofs - Flat

Extensive Green Roofs - Flat

Extensive Green Roofs - Flat

Extensive Green Roofs - Sloped

Extensive Green Roofs - Sloped

Intensive Green Roofs

Intensive Green Roofs

Intensive Green Roofs

Intensive Green Roofs

Intensive Green Roofs

Intensive Green Roofs - Plaza

Intensive Green Roofs - Plaza

Canopy - Extensive

Canopy - Intensive

Canopy - Intensive

Canopy - Intensive

Green Roof Construction Trends

Manufacturer Consolidation Shift to Pre-Grown Trays and Vegetated Mats Interest in Biodiversity Driven Design Cost Reduction and Return on Investment (ROI)

Manufacturer Consolidation
Roofing Manufacturers Focusing on Total Solutions Roofing Contractors Becoming Green Contractors Difficult to Request Alternate Roofing/Vegetation Systems Harder to Apply Best Practices with Warranty-Driven Green Roof Systems

If you only have a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail

Shift to Pre-Grown Trays and Vegetated Mats

Fear of Leaks Drives Instant Green Roof Growth Low Quality Waterproofing Membranes Encourage Additional Protection Provided by Plastic Trays Borderline Environments Require Alternative Vegetation Approaches Lack of Understanding of Green Roof Plant Performance Leads to Nursery Grown Trays and Vegetated Mats

Interest in Biodiversity Driven Design

More Serious Discussions About Native Plants Realization That a Green Roof Does Not Replace Ground Level Habitat New Understanding of the Role Green Roofs Play in Promoting Rare and Even Endangered Plant and Insect Species

Cost Reduction and Return on Investment (ROI)

Novelty is Replaced with Fiscal Responsibility Green Infrastructure Improvements Will Be Judged Against the Same Financial Standards Green Branding Emphasis Doesnt Mean Bigger Budgets for Green Infrastructure Projects Going Green is Not an Emotional Exercise

Cost Reduction and Return on Investment (ROI)

Mall of America Case Study

How Low Can You Go?

Mall of America Case Study End Result

Butterfly Bay Open for 1.5 years Over 1 Million Visitors Massive Media Exposure $500K Corporate Sponsor Not Accepted Solar Project Cancelled Too Expensive Butterfly Bay and Eco Park Replaced with New Ride

Client Expectations
Client
Developer Architect Owner/Occupant Government/Public Initiative

Focus
Cost Unique Features Looks/Functionality Construction Precision

Critical Success Factors Developer

Lowest Cost/Highest Quality Manage Schedule and Quality Constant Communication and Expectation Clarification Minimize Risk

Critical Success Factors Architect

Understand Specifications and Quality Inspections Quality of Work and Visual Perception Clarify Product/Methods Questions and Problems Request Substitutions Early in Process Complete Punch List Quickly

Critical Success Factors Owner/Occupant

Create Clear Contract Documents and Expectations Manage Schedule and Budget No Suprises Finish On-Time or Early Provide Maintenance During Establishment Period

Critical Success Factors Government Initiative

Clarify Project Management Hierarchy Deliver Submittals On-Time Management Schedule and Quality Focus on Project Completion and Best Practices Meet All Safety Guidelines

Construction and Vegetation Techniques

Know Your Waterproofing Products and Details Know Your Pavers and Ballast Materials Know Your Green Roof Media Know Your Green Roof Vegetation Options Know Your Irrigation Options Know Your Material Handling Options Know Your Costs

Know Your Waterproofing Products and Details

Sheet Membrane Peel and Stick (60 mil) Cold Applied System (60 mil) TPO Thermoplastic Polyolefin (60 mil) Hot Applied Built-Up (210mil)

Know Your Pavers and Ballast Materials

Protects Waterproofing System at the Building Edge

Provide Fire Break Protection Vegetation Free Zones Can Be Pavers or Gravel Ballast

Know Your Green Roof Media

Structure Determines Media Depth

Typically 95% Inorganic Mineral Component is Typically Calcined Clay, Expanded Shale, Pumice, Volcanic Crushed Stone, Crushed Brick, or Graded Sand Heavier the Mix More Drainage Relief Required

Know Your Green Roof Vegetation Options

Client Expectations Drive Planting System

Seeding is Difficult Results in Brown Roofs with Weeds Cuttings is Cost Effective Several Years to Establish Plugs Allow for Design Flexibility and Establish Quickly Trays Create an Instant Green Roof Expensive Vegetated Mats Create an Instant Green Roof - Expensive

Know Your Irrigation Options

No Irrigation Hand Water

Sub-Surface Drip Most Efficient Surface Drip Traditional Pop-Up Sprays Water Harvesting Systems Can Supply Water

Know Your Material Handling Options

Telebelt Conveyor System 15 Meters

Know Your Material Handling Options

Mobile Crane 43 Meters

Know Your Material Handling Options

Blower 15 Meters

Know Your Costs

Scope
Traditional green roof system installed on 1,000 m2 roof at an elevation of 17 meters or less.

Unit

Cost

Drainage Mat and Filter Fabric (DBR50) Soil/Media (15cm Pumice-Based Media) Irrigation (Sub-Surface Drip) Plants (22 Plugs m2) Wind Erosion Mat (Jute with Stakes) One-Year Maintenance (6 Visits) Total

m2 m2 m2 m2 m2 m2

10.22 33.79 12.48 25.07 12.37 3.29 97.22

It Aint Green If It Aint Green

Green Roof Plants

Questions