THE VERSATILE MODULAR GREEN ROOF EXTENSIVE SEMI-INTENSIVE INTENSIVE
© Greenskin DVMH 2014
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© GREENSKIN DVMH, Edition 2014 – All rights reserved
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Foreword LET YOUR ROOF GROW GREEN
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nthousiastic about sustainable development and green building since my Architect M.S. Degree at the University of Liège (Belgium), and long before I embarked on the adventure of green roofs, my thesis was specifically dedicated to an original application for ecological homes (1). But at that time not so long ago, with a cheap oil barrel, architects and manufacturers were not committed to such sustainable technologies yet. Twenty-five years later, the circumstances and the fortunes of life have given me the opportunity to fully live this passion of mine. In 2008 I co-founded the SME Greenskin DVMH that is dedicated to the development of innovative solutions for green roofs. In addition to providing the most demanding professionals in this field with a complete and detailed response, we are also active in research and development of new products. The Greenskin Box ® is the very first of them (2). This product, first and foremost intended for architects and real estate promoters, permits bold creativity from the simplest to the most luxurious green roof. For each case you will find in this brochure an appropriate solution as well as all the corresponding execution details. But we will not stop there. We are already preparing improvements that will certainly surprise you. Our passion requires us to be more demanding on ourselves, in order to give more chances for a greener and more enjoyable future, which is now probably a public concern and a global emergency! We wish that our products and solutions will help give life to your most ambitious projects !
Marc Hermans Architect civ. Eng Co-Founder of Greenskin DVMH
(1) Thesis: « Incorporated Thermal Storage by means of Phase-Change Materials in the Residential Construction»; Ulg, 1985. (2) Nominated at the Belgian Building Awards 2011
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Table of Contents
Introduction
P. 5
The Greenskin Box ÂŽ system
P. 7
Details of the different placement types
P. 12
Appendices
P. 24
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What is a green roof?
Introduction
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reen roofs are flat or moderate sloped roofs on which vegetation has been planted. Green roofs have existed probably since the Neolithic (-12500 to -8000 BC.) and were originally invented for their significant storwater retention capacity. The vegetation on a green roof can consist in either Sedum (also called «extensive» green roof) or resemble a real garden with hedges, shrubs and trees (also called «intensive» green roof or garden roof). Between these two extremes exists a wide range of green roofs with different kinds of vegetation and substrates of varying thickness.
What kind of vegetation can be installed on a green roof? The choice of vegetation type depends on a number of factors: • the maximum permissible load of the roof; • the accessibility of the roof; • the min. / max. height of the building; • the plantation pattern; • the type of roof (structure and waterproofing); • the functional use of the roof. In case of roofs with a low maximum load or not easily accessible, one should go for an extensive green roof (light: around 60kg/m²), requiring low maintenance. One should also take into account the height of the building and the desired planting pattern desired. The general rule is as follows: the bigger the plantation heightness, the deeper the root penetration, the heavier the green roof. As a consequence, the option of an intensive green roof (roof garden) should generally be planned from the design phase of the building. Conversely, the extensive greening of the roof can be implemented on existing buildings.
What are the differences between intensive and extensive green roofs? The extensive green roofs vegetation mainly consists of Sedum, and herbaceous plants with very low nutrient demand and resistant to extreme weather conditions. This type of vegetation requires little maintenance and can even be planted in remote areas. Overload on the roof is therefore low, which permits extensive green roofs to be plae on existing buildings. Conversely, the intensive greening of roofs is similar to a conventional garden, with lawn, plants, hedges, shrubs and trees. This type of rooftop garden therefore needs regular maintenance. Resulting overload on the roof being relatively high, the intensive roof greening must to be planned in the design phase of the building.
What is the overload of a green roof? The overloads of a green roof depends on several factors: • The height of the substrate layer • The type of vegetation • The loads induced by users such as pedestrians or vehicles As far as the load on the roof is concerned, the general rules states that the thicker the substrate layer is, the heavier the entire structure is. A simple guideline is that the extensive vegetation weighs 11 kg / m² per cm thickness. As a consequence, a 10cm thick green roof weighs 110 kg per m². The vegetation type also plays a role as a tree is obviously heavier than a sedum layer and therefore induces a higher permanent load.
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What are the benefits of green roofs? A green roof is of course more aesthetic than a common flat roof, but it also features many other environmental and economic benefits: 1. Stormwater management: a 7 cm thick green roof can contain up to 25 mm of rainwater that will be released with some delay, thereby reducing the congestion of rainwater drainage channels; 2. Energy efficiency : green roofs improve both the thermal insulation and inertia of the building thanks to the substrate layer; 3. Positive effect on health and well-being: the reduction of air pollution thanks to green roofs might reduce the overall demand for health care ; 4. Urban agriculture: green roofs can also be used as kitchen gardens for growing vegetables, fruits and/or herbs; 5. Increased life expectancy of roof waterproofing membrane: thanks to mechanical protection and reduction of temperature variations; 6. Fire prevention: green roofs have a much lower combustion load than conventional roofs (especially in the presence of automatic watering systems) ; 7. Reduction of electromagnetic radiation: green roofs are known to reduce electromagnetic radiation from wireless devices by 99.4% (Herman, 2003); 8. Noise reduction: green roofs can reduce the noise penetration up to 40 decibels ; 9. Improved building aesthetics and value : green roofs provide building users and neighbours with an aesthetic added value as well as building owners with an economic added value; 10. Enhanced biodiversity: green roofs provide a natural habitat for various species of animals and plants; 11. Aesthetic improvement: green roofs contribute to a visible improvement of the quality of life of the city; 12. Waste reduction: thanks to the extension of life of waterproofing membranes and HVAC equipments; 13. Urban heat island effect: through daily evapotranspiration, plants can globally help cool down the city during heat periods; 14. Improved air quality: plants on green roofs can capture airborne pollutants, as well as filter some harmful gases; 15. Wellness: green roofs improve the urban environment by increasing leisure and green spaces. Despite these numerous benefits green roofs are still often disregarded both by professionals and end-users. This is mainly due to the limitations of traditional «multilayer» green roofs that are placed directly on the roof of the building, which has several major drawbacks such as constant humidity, risk of water infiltration due to roots, difficult access to the building roof, erosion of the green roof, etc. The Greenskin DVMH company has developed a new system of modular floating green roofs, that provides a simple, efficient and elegant solution to the inherent problems of traditional «multilayer» green roofs, and also overperforms other «modular» solutions currently available on the market. The patented Greenskin Box ® system also permits unlimited landscaping possibilities, from the simple extensive green roofs to the most luxurious intensive roof gardens.
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The Greenskin Box® system Our patented solution is made of:
1. PEDESTALS: The green roof rests on pedestals - possibly adjustable - thereby creating an accessible technical space for cables and hoses;
2. An optional FLOATING FLOOR for garden or terraced roofs: This element allows to integrate decks, walkways, seatings,
water features, solar panels, wind tubines, etc..;
3. GREENSKIN BOX ® : interlocking universal HDPE trays with in-built water reservoirs, drainage holes, a filter and a specific
feature to accomodate optional watering and/or lighting systems. The GREENSKIN BOX ® can then be overfilled with the appropriate growing media and covered with a vast range of plants: sedum - grass - perennials - shrubs - small trees - etc.
« The Greenskin roof draws its strength from the exclusive combination of components acting in synergy towards a win-win solution! “
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1. Greenskin Box ® (*) 2. Floating floor 3. Technical space 4. Pedestals 5. Waterproofing membrane of the existing roof * See detailed specifications in Appendix 1.
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© Greenskin DVMH 2014
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Main features of the Greenskin BoxÂŽ
Made of industrial grade High Density PolyEthylene (HDPE) 100% recyclable and reusable.
Reinforced by internal ridges.
Interlocking system (easy assembling and disassembling).
in-bult water reservoirs and drainage holes.
Central removable feature for mechanical anchorage or optional watering / lighting system.
Ergonomic design (easy transport, handling and placement).
See detailed data sheet in appendix 1. 8 Š Greenskin DVMH 2014
Example of project
Š Greenskin DVMH 2014
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Advantages of the Greenskin Box® system • No erosion due to runoff (vertical drainage of rainwater)
• Technical room between waterproof membrane and green roof • Easy dismantling for local access to building roof
• Naturally anti-root system • Total freedom in plant choice
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• Interlocking trays ensuring global stability • Slope compensation thanks to adjustable pedestals
• Lightweight components • Optimal oxygenation of the substrate
• High load capacity • Suitable for all types of substrates from 7cm (extensive) up to 200 cm (intensive)
© Greenskin DVMH 2014
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Details of the different placement types
1 - Vegetation Layer 2 – Substrate 3 – Geotextile 4 - Greenskin Box ® 5.1 - Metallic floating floor 5.2 - Plastic floating floor 6.1 - Adjustable Pedestals 6.2 - Non adjustable Pedestals 7 - Waterproofed bearing structure
Thickness of substrate in accordance with «Guidelines for the Planning, Construction and Maintenance of Green Roofing» (FLL - Ed 2008) See appendix 5.
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Placement of a semi-intensive green roof with grass
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1. Flat roof to be covered with vegetation. 2. Layout of pedestals and Greenskin Box ®.
3, 4. Localized cutouts for special elements.
5. Laying of the geotextile filter all over the Greenskin Boxes ®.
6. Substrate delivery by special blower truck.
7. Roof before blowing the substrate.
8. View of the roof after blowing and equalization of the substrate.
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9. Detail of a Greenskin Box ÂŽ on a non-adjustable pedestal, on the edge of the green roof
10. Delivery of pre-cultivated sedum mats.
11, 12, 13. Vegetation placement and finishing according to plan.
14, 15, 16. View of green roof three months after placement.
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List of details 7
Abutment edge of shrub garden area
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Wooden gratings on Greenskin Box 速
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Junction at downslope
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Garden kitchen in glasshouse
Junction gravel area/ garden
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Junction Flowery meadow / terrace
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Wooden terrace with pond on pedestals
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Integrated watering and lighting systems
Junction Flowery meadow / concrete pavings on pedestals
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Extensive roof edge with concrete pavings on non adjustable pedestals
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List of details Extensive roof edge with concrete slabs on pedestals
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1 - Non adjustable pedestals 2 – Concrete paving 3 - Greenskin Box® & geotextile 4 - Substrate 5 - Vegetation (for ex. Sedum)
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Downslope junction 1 - Vegetation (for ex. Flowery meadow, Sedum) 2 - Non adjustable pedestals 3 - Greenskin Box® & geotextile 4 - Substrate 5 - Peripheral stop profile 6 – Profile stop for downslope end 7 - Anti-erosion net
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Junction Flowery meadow / terrace
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1 - Non adjustable pedestals 2 - Greenskin Box® & geotextile 3 - Substrate 4 - Vegetation - ie. Flowery meadow 5 - Peripheral stop profile 6 - Adjustable pedestals 7 - Rafter 8 – Wooden floor
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Duckboards on Greenskin Box® 1 - Non adjustable pedestals 2 - Greenskin Box® & geotextile 3 - Substrate 4 - Duckboards 5 - Vegetation - ie. Flowery meadow
Jonction Flowery meadow / concrete pavings on adjustable pedestals
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1 - Non adjustable pedestals 2 - Greenskin Box® & geotextile 3 - Substrate 4 - Vegetation - ie. Flowery meadow 5 - Peripheral stop profile 6 - Adjustable pedestals 7 - Concrete pavings
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Junction gravel area / garden
Abutment edge of shrub garden area 1 - Adjustable pedestals 2 - Steel grating 3 - Greenskin Box® & geotextile 4 - Substrate 5 - Vegetation - ie. shrub 6 –Precast concrete element 7 - Concrete cover pavings
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© Greenskin DVMH 2014
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1 - Adjustable pedestals 2 – Steel grating 3 - Greenskin Box® & geotextile 4 - Substrate 5 - Vegetation - ie. Flowery meadow 6 – Flexible profile 7 – Gravel area
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7 Kitchen garden in glass house 1 - Adjustable pedestals 2 - Greenskin Box® & geotextile 3 - Substrate 4 - Vegetation -ie. garden 5 – Wooden formwork 6 – Flooring
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Integrated watering and lighting system
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1 – Non adjustable pedestals 2 - Greenskin Box® & geotextile 3 - Substrate 4 - Vegetation -ie. sedum 5 – Sprinkler system 6 - Gravels 7 - Lighting
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Wooden terrace with pond on pedestals 1 - Adjustable pedestals 2 - Steel grating 3 - Rafter 4 - Floor 5 - Non adjustable pedestals 6 – Prefabricated pond
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Completed projects
Extensive green roof with Sedum Edges with concrete pavings finishing
Extensive green roof with Sedum Rounded edges with gravel finishings
Extensive green roof with Sedum Moderate slope
Š Greenskin DVMH 2014
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Completed projects
Extensive green roof with Sedum Duckboard pathway
Semi-intensive green roof with Sedum, herbaceous plants and wooden terrace
Semi-intensive green roof with grass and wooden terrace
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Completed projects
Extensive garden roof with planted Sedum and wooden terrace Metallic floating floor and adjustable pedestals
Semi-intensive garden roof with grass and wooden terrace Garden kitchen area and wooden boxes with plants
Semi-intensive garden roof with grass, wooden bench and finishing frames around skylights, gravel pathways
Š Greenskin DVMH 2014
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Appendix 1 : Greenskin Box® data sheet Greenskin DVMH has developed ready to place green roof trays, marketed under the name Greenskin Box®. These interlocking units are extremely compact and light, for installer friendly handling and placement. The Greenskin Box® feature in-built water reservoirs for dry periods, drainage holes, and a filter. The units can contain all of substrates and vegetation such as Sedum, grass, perennials, herbaceous, bushes, small trees etc. The interlocking system ensures that the Greenskin Boxes® are securely fixed together to form a solid unit on the roof, reducing the possible uplifting effects by the wind. The interlocking system also provides additional strengthening on moderate sloped roofs, up to 12%. On large roofs the trays can be invisibly anchored to the roof. Greenskin Box® Technical data Material: industrial grade High Density PolyEthylene (HDPE) Dimensions : 40 x 40 x 7 cm - 6.25 boxes/m² Weight (extensive green roof – 7cm high): 8 to 9 kg saturated with water -> around 60 kg/m² Fixing : interlocking system Wind test : Yes Hydraulic test : Yes Water buffer : The water reservoir volume under the drainage level is minimum 1.33L per box (8.33L/m²) Central removable feature for mechanical anchorage and/or integration of watering or lighting systems Strength: Unbreakable under normal circumstances, resistant to frost and heat, resistant to acids and greying, UV stable Recycling : 100% (technical certification available) Reuse : Yes Full product traceability Ergonomics : for installer friendly transport, handling and placement Intellectual property rights: Patent pending, registered model and trademark Guarantee: 20 years in normal use(*). Developed and produced in Belgium
(*)when placed by a certified contractor
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Appendix 2: COMPARISON BETWEEN GREENSKIN BOX速 SYSTEM and MULTILAYER GREEN ROOF SOLUTIONS
Criteria
1. Anti-root solution 2. Water drainage 3. Cable and pipes placement
4. Local access to waterproofing membrane 5. Placement
6. Max. substrate thickness 7. Warranty (*)
8. Irrigation
9. Stormwater resistance
10. Wind resistance
Greenskin Box速 system
Automatic thanks to uncrossable air layer Vertically towards membrane through filter Easy within technical space between green roof and waterproofing membrane
Easy partial dismantling (and re-placement) for local access to the roof Installer friendly handling and placement, all year round
Multilayer solutions
Special membrane needed Mainly horizontal
Not straightforward, additional special elements needed Partial dismantling and replacement difficult. Total dismantling often needed Needs qualified personnel
Up to 2 meters
Depends on bottom layer maximum load Up to 10 years global warranty Depending on contractual (annual maintenance) conditions Up to 20 years on components (plants and substrate excluded) Easy and invisible integration Relies on proprietary of watering systems solutions Excellent (certified by European standard test)
Possible erosion due to water runoff as soon as drainage layer is saturated
Mechanical anchorage possible Ballast needed (certified by European standard test) 11. Flexibility of use Suitable for tailor-made Not straightforward, needs (*) When placed by an acrredutedsolutions. company Unlimited qualified personnel landscaping possibilities
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Appendix 3: Examples of vegetation Aubrieta hybrida
Geum rives
Ground covering perennial HxL: 10 x 50 cm Flower period 4/5 Foliage: evergreen
Perennial plant HxL: 45 x 40 cm Flower period:5/7 Foliage: deciduous
Betula nana
Pennisetum ‘Hameln’
Shrub HxL: 50 x 120 cm Flower period 4 Foliage: deciduous
Perennial grass HxL:60x60cm Flower period 6/9 Foliage: semi-evergreen
Dropteris affinis
Phlox subulata
Male - perennial HxL: 120 x 120 cm Foliage: evergreen
Ground covering perennial HxL: 10 x 50 cm Flower period 5/6 Foliage: Evergreen
Erica carnea
Sedum rupestre
HxL: 20 x 45 cm Foliage 3/5 Foliage: evergreen
Succulent perennial HxL: 30 x 50 cm Flower period 7/9 Foliage: semi-evergreen
Festuca amethystina
Grass
Perennial grass HxL: 40 x 40 cm Flower period: 6/7 Foliage: deciduous
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© Greenskin DVMH 2014
Appendix 4: Accessories & Finishings
Š Greenskin DVMH 2014
Decorative elements
Pebbels and gravels of any kind
Outside furniture
Wooden floor
Solar panels
Any kind of pavings
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Automatic watering system
Oscillating Sprinkler
Retractable pop-up sprinkler
Š Greenskin DVMH 2012
Turbine Micro drip
Sprinkler
Water hose connection
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Appendix 5 - Extract from ‘Guidelines for the Planning, Construction and Maintenance of Green Roofing’ (Ed. 2008)
© Forschungsgesellschaft landschaftsentwicklung landschaftsbau e.V. (FLL)
(1) Standard thickness for different types of green roof
Appendix 6: Press
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Greenskin DVMH Rue Th. Verhaegen, 196-202 B-1060 BRUSSELS - BELGIUM www.greenskin.be info@greenskin.onmicrosoft.com Tel.: +32 (0)2 588 00 70 Fax: +32 (0)2 588 00 71 ŠGreenskin DVMH 2014
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