Green Walls & Roofs

Question 1

benefits of green roofs

Answer 1

reducing stormwater runoff
filtering stormwater
building insulation
habitat and shelter for birds, insects and other wildlife

Question 2

limitations of green roofs

Answer 2

challenging environment
shallow, exposed
exposed to weather and temperature extremes
substrate can be very dry or saturated

Question 3

3 types of green roof systems

Answer 3

extensive
semi-intensive
intensive

Question 4

extensive green roofs

Answer 4

depth: 3-5 inches
max weight: 15 – 25 lbs/ft2
plants: succulents, sedums, herbs, some grasses, moss
no irrigation
low maintenance
use: ground cover
costs: low
stress tolerator plants

Question 5

semi-intensive green roofs

Answer 5

depth: 5-7 inches
max weight: 25 – 40 lbs/ft2
plants – can include any of the following: turf grass (without large woody plants), sedums, grasses, herbaceous perennials, herbs, sub-shrubs,
minimal irrigation
medium maintenance requirements
usse: biodiversity, habitat
costs: medium

Question 6

intensive green roofs

Answer 6

depth: 7 – 24 + inches
max weight: 35 – 80 lbs/ft2
plants – can include any of the following: herbaceous perennials, turf (with other woody plants etc.), woody perennials (shrubs and trees), agricultural/food crops
irrigation: relatively high needs, automated systems
maintenance: high
use: recreation, park, garden, urban agriculture
cost: high

Question 7

construction elements (green ROOFS) from top down

Answer 7

vegetation
growing media substrate
filter layer
water retention layer
drainage layer
protection layer
root barrier
insulation layer
waterproof membrane
roof deck

Question 8

benefits of green walls

Answer 8

capturing rain
slowing water into stormwater drainage systems
filtering airborne pollutants
noise dampening
cooling buildings in summer
environmental cooling
improved environmental psychology
providing habitat and shelter for birds and insects

Question 9

limitations of green walls

Answer 9

poor plant choices can damage property
irrigation considerations/water use
maintenance can be very high
cost
failure risk

Question 10

types of green wall systems

Answer 10

extensive
semi intensive
intensive

Question 11

extensive green walls

Answer 11

vine climbing directly on structure
aerial roots, twining or adhesive tendrils
plant is often planted terrestrially

Question 12

extensive green walls benefits

Answer 12

easy installation
low cost
relatively low maintenance
low water use

Question 13

extensive green wall limitations

Answer 13

must be used on appropriate building facades to avoid property damage
concrete, brick
typically bad for wood building exteriors
appropriate plants must be used

Question 14

semi intensive green walls

Answer 14

support system installed for climbing vines
cables, trellises, mesh
plant is often planted terrestrially

Question 15

semi intensive green walls benefits

Answer 15

used on buildings that have facade that can be damaged
medium cost
relatively low maintenance
low water use

Question 16

semi intensive green walls limitations

Answer 16

support system cost and maintenance

Question 17

intensive green walls

Answer 17

planting cellular, modular systems
many different systems
used for decorative applications
capillary felt pockets
large sheets of polymide felt
folded pockets for media and plants
drip emitters to each cell

Question 18

intensive green walls benefits

Answer 18

aesthetic design
full green cover

Question 19

intensive green walls limitations

Answer 19

high cost, maintenance, water use
plant failure

Question 20

felt pocket intensive systems layers

Answer 20

planting cells
polypropylene geotextile layer
rigid PVC sheet
insulation layer
waterproof membrane
building exterior wall surface