Green Roof

Green RoofGreen Roof

The similarities in soil depth and plant species between Aiken’s, Penn State’s, and Michigan’s roofs lead us to believe Aiken’s will have similar outcomes. • Cold and drought resistant sedum species will grow successfully. As for native plants, Danthonia Spicata and Cerastium arvense will be the most successful.

• With an extensive 4-inch deep green roof, it is likely that the green roof will retain 40% to 60% of rainfall.

• The media in green roof will act as an acid buffer, neutralizing the pH of acid rain.

• Water pollutants will be reduced significantly in watersheds with vegetation versus control watersheds (no green roof).

Expected OutcomesExpected Outcomes

Examples of Green RoofsExamples of Green Roofs• Plants Green Grid would

recommend for a green roof in this area.

• Same plants but with all organic treatments including fertilizer.

• Green Grid will pick 5-6 plant species from the list that was sent to him from last years Greening of Aiken Inters group

• Control (no green roof)

IntroductionIntroduction• Definition: A green roof is a building that is

covered with vegetation (mostly various types of sedum) planted over a waterproofing membrane and root barrier.

• We plan to explore the possibilities of different types of vegetation to be installed on green roofs. We have three treatments to be tested in duplicate. The Green Roof group is working closely with Green Grid, who will be installing the roof approximately next April.

Poster by Greening of Aiken group members: Taylor Kravits, Jon Farmer, Alexandra Adams, Kate Odell, and Evan Bombard

TreatmentsTreatments

• September 2002 - Greening of Aiken Committee formed and charged by Don DeHayes

• February 2004 - Green roofs are included in the "goals" statement for the Greening of Aiken Project

• May 2004 - Greening of Aiken Design Competition - William Maclay Architects selected to design building

• June 2009 - McIntire Stennis proposal for green roof research was prepared

• *November 2009 - McIntire Stennis Green Roof project approved - initial funding for green roof

• Spring semester 2010 - Green roof interns did research to produce a list of native, potential green roof plants

• Spring Semester 2011 – Development of Green Roof Treatments

• Spring Semester 2012- Installation of Green Roof

TimelineTimeline

Richard Prenneke’s Cabin at the Twin Lakes in Alaska

3 asphalt roofs and 3 green roofs at Penn State

Diagram of Aiken RoofDiagram of Aiken Roof

Michigan State Green Roof Plots

No Vegetation With Vegetation

Runoff from Penn State Green Roof