Showing posts with label green roof testing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label green roof testing. Show all posts

Monday, November 1, 2010

Florida Green Roof Attachment Design

Many arrangements exist for Green Roof attachment to underlying finished roofing or decking.

Photos below depict mat attachment to asphalt shingles, TPO, built-up asphalt, roll asphalt and PVC roofing material.

Our philosophy about about vertical penetrations through roofing material is straight forward for Florida roofs - 'don't do it unless absolutely necessary'.

Green Roof System Arrangements - Field Trial Panels of Varying Materials


Florida's brutal heat, humidity and environment will continually attack roof attachment mechanisms.  The fewer vertical attachment mechanisms, the less the possibility for leaks.

There are many roofing adhesives on the market.  One significant factor we consider is a low VOC content and low carbon footprint.  On the other hand we expect the adhesive to work.

Our trial panels are made up of different materials and different systems.

Once planted, the panels are placed up on the roof for at least twelve months.  Some adhesives work, others do not.   Some adhesives work with different underlying roofing materials, others preform better with another roofing material.  Varying the combination of roofing material, root barrier, adhesive, mat and other components all for performance data to be collected on the different systems.

Developing a solid understanding of system materials is crucial for a successful Florida Green Roof!

As always - email us with your questions.

Happy Green Roofing - Kevin!

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Photos of What Hurricane Force Winds (120 MPH) Do To a Green Roof Plant

The photos included here are from wind uplift testing yesterday at UF. Notice the moderate damage to the plant leaf epidermis and underlying palisade layer (dessication).

Observations and photos of recovery will be posted over the next couple months to see how quickly the plants heal from the damage and regrow.

Not only do the plants suffer dessication and structural damage from 120 MPH winds, but the leaves and stems are bombarded with high speed grit from dust and the roofs soil itself.

The woven mat provides significant support to the root system and stem and in my opinion is the reason the plants did not fly off the roof immediately.

Green Roof Plant Before Hurricane Testing


Green Roof Plant after 120 MPH winds for 3 minutes


We are analyzing what the test results and observations and will be providing additional comments.

More soon!

Happy green roofing and as always - email me with our questions.