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| What are Greenroofs? |
| Greenroofs are basically roof-top gardens that act like a sponge to reduce the amount of water and/or pollutants that run off of your roof. At the very minimum, Green Roofs should have a waterproof membrane, a drainage system, growth media, and plants that cover the entire area. |
| What is the difference between passive and active roofs? |
| Passive Greenroofs are the shallowest type of Greenroof. With a depth of less than or equal to 6 inches, this type of Greenroof is not intended to be used for human recreational activity. Active Greenroofs are those that have a thickness of greater than or equal to 6 inches. The active Greenroofs allow for human activity, with additional add-in features like lighting, walkways, water features, recreational equipment, and picnic areas, which increase the common living space of a building. |
| Why can’t I just use dirt or soil on my roof? Do I really need STE engineered pollution-control media instead? |
| Normal garden soil should NOT be used for Greenroof applications. In addition to the heavy weight of soil, it also contains highly undesirable parasites and weeds, which can wreak havoc on a Greenroof. STE’s pollution-control media is light-weight material that is designed to absorb stormwater, pollutants, and heat, which results in a number of benefits for both the building owner and the surrounding environment. |
| Can STE's pollution-control media be used in other applications? |
| STE’s pollution-control media is not only effective on Greenroofs! It also works wonders in the following applications: retention ponds, bio-retention areas, detention pond effluents, septic tank drain fields, and pervious concrete filtration. |
| How does the STE Greenroof withstand hurricane-force winds? |
| Although no controlled experiments have been done, our past experience indicates that our Greenroofs withstand far greater wind speeds than conventional roofs. In South Florida, during three hurricanes in 2004, a Greenroof withstood the hurricane-force winds while all of the surrounding buildings lost either some or all of their conventional roofing. |
| How much does a Greenroof cost? |
| The cost of STE’s Greenroofs varies according to the design and size of the roof. STE engineers will work with you to identify the most cost-efficient Greenroof possible that is customized to suit your individual requirements and preferences. |
| The Greenroof costs more than a standard roof. What is the greatest economic advantage of installing a Greenroof? |
| The greatest economic advantage of installing a Greenroof is three-fold. The primary advantage is the reduction of land needed for a stormwater pond. The next advantage is the reduced energy costs you will see, due to the increased thermal efficiency of your building. Finally, the maintenance of your roof is significantly reduced because the life of your roof is extended to 50 years or more. |
| Are there any financial, governmental, or regulatory incentives available for the installation of Greenroofs? |
| This varies with the local agencies. Advantages include density bonuses, tax credits, and time-shortened permits. |
| How does an STE Greenroof manage stormwater? |
| STE’s Greenroofs mimic a pre-development condition, which means that even though the land is developed, it absorbs the same amount of materials that the undeveloped land would, which is highly beneficial to the environment. STE’s Greenroofs also reduce the need for stormwater retention ponds by retaining stormwater on site. |
| Do leaks and other problems occur? |
| Our experience is that leaks do not occur. However, we recommend being proactive in maintaining your roof. We recommend using international leak detection to make sure that the waterproof membrane is tight and the material is installed correctly. |
| Is it necessary for me to water my Greenroof? |
| In Florida, it is necessary to keep the plants alive to reduce stormwater discharges. STE can provide an automatic irrigation system. |
| How do I maintain my Green Roof? |
| Maintenance should be no different than what is currently used for ground-level gardens. STE can recommend roof gardens that are low-maintenance. |
| If I use grass, do I have to mow it? |
| STE has artificial grasses available that do not have to be maintained, such as those used in professional sport facilities. Other live ornamental and natural grasses do not need frequent maintenance. Some grasses however, will require routine maintenance, but are desirable from an aesthetic view in some active roofs. Consult with your STE representative for recommendations. |
| Who should do the maintenance and upkeep on my Greenroof? Can you recommend specific companies? |
| STE can recommend companies, or you can use your own landscape professional. |
| What plants should I use on my Greenroof? |
| Native plants have a lower tendency to have pest problems, less irrigation requirements, and in general, less maintenance. STE has a palate of natural Florida plants and is in contact with landscape architects around the country to recommend the best plants for your needs. |
| What plants should I use on my Greenroof? |
| Native plants have a lower tendency to have pest problems, less irrigation requirements, and in general, less maintenance. STE has a palate of natural Florida plants and is in contact with landscape architects around the country to recommend the best plants for your needs. |
| Are there any necessary safety features that must be installed if I have a Greenroof? |
| STE follows standard building codes for safety purposes. |
| What is LEEDs™, and how does it affect me? |
| LEEDs™ is the acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It is possible that local regulations may provide incentives for LEEDs™ certified buildings. By having a LEEDs™ certified building, you will have a building with much lower operating costs for the life of the building. |
| What is the Urban Heat Island Effect? How do Greenroofs help? |
| The Urban Heat Island effect is the slow release of increased heat from reflective surfaces, such as dark pavement and rooftops. The temperature of these surfaces can reach 165 degrees F. This in effect will raise the temperature in urban areas, which is known as the Urban Heat Island effect. Greenroofs combat this by releasing moisture into the atmosphere and reducing the surface temperatures. |
| What is TMDL? |
| TMDL stands for Total Maximum Daily Loads, and is a standard which is applied to a receiving water body, some of which were developed by STE personnel. Greenroofs help to reduce the mass of pollutants that are released into a water body, and thus help meet TMDL standards. |
| How much does a greenroof weigh? |
| Using STE technologies the weight is reduced by about 50% through the use of lighter materials, as compared to traditional ground-level soils. The weight for the standard 6 inch media STE Greenroof is about 50 pounds per square foot. With a deeper media to support other plants, the weight will increase. STE can calculate weights for your specific needs. |
| Can greenroofs be designed with sky lights and not hinder the performance of the sky light? |
| Yes, plant selection is important so that the plants do not grow over the sky lights. A maintenance schedule is also a part of any greenroof design. |
| Is there a warranty? |
| The waterproof membrane is covered by a warranty from the manufacturer. Also, there is usually a plant warranty available that may be built into a maintenance contract if desired. |
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