Case Studies

Why is AIR-to-WATER RATIO on Green Roofs so important and how to avoid typical issues? The air-to-water ratio is the ratio between air and water in the pores of a media. The vast majority of plants used on extensive or intensive Green Roofs thrive best within a specific Air-to-Water ratio range in the root zone of a Green Roof system.

The performance potential of the fully integrated Solar Garden Roof. Green Roofs can be combined with PV in multiple ways and it is always a double benefits for payback and environment

Here is the guideline for Green Roofs 2011

Sun-Root™ System Brochure - The latest achievement in intengrated sustainable Green Roof technology.

The Economics of Green Roofs from the Perspective of the Commercial Client

One of the most recent introductions to this market is one that offers perhaps the most integrated approach to addressing multiple urban, environmental, and alternative energy concerns: the Solar Garden Roof system, which integrates solar panel technology with an extensive green roof solution – offering all of the benefits of both alternative technologies.

Mineral Wool (Stone Wool, Rock Wool, Glass Wool) on Green Roofs - Chance or Challenge

The main purpose of an extensive green roof is stormwater retention and delaying stormwater runoff amongst many other added values. Irrigation for extensive Green Roof?

Green roofs improve city environment and mitigate stormwater problems. But not all kinds of green roofs have the same ecological efficiency.

“Extensive green roofs increase the fire hazard of our buildings and a green roof is a potential risk under windy conditions.” Are these statements true?

In recent years we have received more and more calls from building owners that have “issues” with their green roof.

The terms “extensive” and “intensive green roofs” are based on the plants these systems support and the degree of maintenance they require. Depending on plant species and varieties used, green roofs can also support a diversity of fauna.

Discover a new system in which solar panels are integrated into an extensive green roof with living plants. Energy output is increased through plant evapo-transpiration and the green roof also acts as ballast for the solar panels, negating the need to penetrate the roof membrane.

Green roof experts incorporate photovoltaic systems to generate clean, renewable solar energy by taking advantage of green roofs.

Center for Climate Systems Research, Columbia University CREST Center & Center for Water Resources & Environmental Research, CUNY

Neglect of maintenance duties, coupled with key structural deficiencies, has led to a deterioration of the general health of the ecosystem.

Brewer's Hill Natty Boh project was one of the first green roofs in the Baltimore area with plastic containers, planters or so called modular green roof system.

At this early stage of the American green roof industry, "Lessons learned" can be critical for future projects.

The Podium Roof Garden in Torronto, Canada acts as a sample of a green roof designed and constructed in a mistaken fashion.

EPA Office of Research and Development National Risk Management Research Laboratory - Water Supply and Water Resources Division

Green roofs can replicate open space conditions during storm events. The effectiveness depends on the thickness of the system – especially the thickness and properties of the green roof growing media. Shallow green roofs (below 4 inch depth) will be effective in controlling small rainfall events, while deep assemblies may be required to control large storms.

As the development of the North American green roof market picks up speed, more and more people are designing, specifying, installing, maintaining and evaluating green roofs. Unlike in Germany, where green roofs are highly standardized already, most projects in the United States are custom made solutions.

Dach und Gruen 2-2001. Mineral wool on Green Roofs has been tested for more than 2 decades. As good as these systems may work in the first few years as bad are the results about 5-7 years later. Many of the early projects have been replaced at tremendous costs. New comers like e.g. Urbanscape try to place their MW products as more unique. But they recognized the problems (e.g. bad Air-to-Water-ratio) and try to avoid these by adding additional air-rating items instead of doing things right first