5 Questions to ask your Green Roof provider
No one system is suited to all roofs there are too many variations in pitch, drainage, climate and exposure, to name but a few engineering considerations. 'One-size-fits-all' serves the aims of the manufacturer, not the needs of the consumer. When undertaking a Green Roof project, it is important to ask the following questions from your service provider:
Q1 : Are you an accredited Green Roof installer?
Your green roof is a long-term investment. The highest return will come from thoughtful, responsive design, and stringent standards of construction by an accredited Green Roof provider. By engaging a certified service provider you can gain confirdence in a trouble-free green roof for years to come.
Q2 : How will my Green Roof be irrigated?
Try and avoid using surface drip and spray systems as they are expensive to maintain, do not deliver water efficiently to the roots, where it is most needed - and waste enormous amounts of water through evaporation. Also, on surface-irrigated green roofs, plant roots tend to develop nearer the surface. This makes the plants increasingly dependent on irrigation and vulnerable to lapses in the watering schedule.
Q3: Do you provide integrated design and installation?
A trained, experienced green roof designer makes many educated decisions about materials and how they are to be used on your project. An installer who has not been part of the design process may for reasons of cost, convenience, or unfamiliarity with the process make changes that undermine the integrity of the system. This is especially common with landscape contractors who have had little or no green roof experience. Also, there are often aspects of a project that only become apparent on-site and that if your designer does not supervise the installation, s/he cannot make appropriate adjustments.
Q4: What about drainage?
An inadequate drainage can result in:
(1) Dead weight that the roof may not be able to sustain;
(2) Plant mortality; and
(3) Degeneration of the planting media
Thus it is important to clearly understand how your drainage works. The best drainage is obtained with systems that are able to draw off excess water from the growing media.
Q5: What about warranty? Which contractors warranty will cover the entire installation?
Any warranties related to a Green Roof installation apply to the waterproof membrane, irrigation system, growing media, and plants, as well as to the workmanship of the installation contractors. To avoid issues of which warranty covers which aspects of the roof, consider engaging a company that will contract each portion of the job and guarantee the entire installation.
To speak with an experienced consultant about your Green Roof needs.
Q1 : Are you an accredited Green Roof installer?
Your green roof is a long-term investment. The highest return will come from thoughtful, responsive design, and stringent standards of construction by an accredited Green Roof provider. By engaging a certified service provider you can gain confirdence in a trouble-free green roof for years to come.
Q2 : How will my Green Roof be irrigated?
Try and avoid using surface drip and spray systems as they are expensive to maintain, do not deliver water efficiently to the roots, where it is most needed - and waste enormous amounts of water through evaporation. Also, on surface-irrigated green roofs, plant roots tend to develop nearer the surface. This makes the plants increasingly dependent on irrigation and vulnerable to lapses in the watering schedule.
Q3: Do you provide integrated design and installation?
A trained, experienced green roof designer makes many educated decisions about materials and how they are to be used on your project. An installer who has not been part of the design process may for reasons of cost, convenience, or unfamiliarity with the process make changes that undermine the integrity of the system. This is especially common with landscape contractors who have had little or no green roof experience. Also, there are often aspects of a project that only become apparent on-site and that if your designer does not supervise the installation, s/he cannot make appropriate adjustments.
Q4: What about drainage?
An inadequate drainage can result in:
(1) Dead weight that the roof may not be able to sustain;
(2) Plant mortality; and
(3) Degeneration of the planting media
Thus it is important to clearly understand how your drainage works. The best drainage is obtained with systems that are able to draw off excess water from the growing media.
Q5: What about warranty? Which contractors warranty will cover the entire installation?
Any warranties related to a Green Roof installation apply to the waterproof membrane, irrigation system, growing media, and plants, as well as to the workmanship of the installation contractors. To avoid issues of which warranty covers which aspects of the roof, consider engaging a company that will contract each portion of the job and guarantee the entire installation.
To speak with an experienced consultant about your Green Roof needs.
