EPC
Green Roofs
CMHA INSTALLS GREEN ROOFS AT LAKEVIEW TERRACE LOW RISE BUILDINGS
 Although relatively new to North America, green roofs have been used
successfully in Europe and Asia for decades.
Loosely defined, green roofs are vegetated surfaces which are installed
over man-made structures. Green roofs can be either at grade or above
grade. They can incorporate elaborate gardens and trees or simple grasses
and ground covers. They can be designed for aesthetics, environmental
benefits or both. However, the bottom line is that green roofs are
the ultimate in Sustainable Design. No other product or system provides
such an outward appearance of truly "green" design.
There are many benefits to green roofs which
make them attractive to building owners today.
One of the biggest benefits to green roofs
is reducing storm water runoff. As urban sprawl
continues, many areas can no longer accommodate
the volume of water discarded off of roofs,
roads and other impervious surfaces. Green
roofs hold rain like a sponge and allows nature
to dissipate the moisture naturally rather
than rely on aging storm sewer systems. Green
roofs also reduce urban heat islands by reducing
roof top temperatures. The surface of a conventional
black roof can reach 180°F. Vegetation
protects the roof from extreme temperatures
and works to lower the temperature of our urban
environments. Green roofs also reduce the energy
requirements of a building. By reducing the
ambient temperature of the roof's surface,
green roofs slow the transfer of heat into
the building. This reduces the cooling requirements
of the facility. Green roofs also provide insulation
to the structure and therefore also reduces
the heating requirements of the facility. Other
benefits include reduces air and noise pollution,
provides urban micro-climates, provides useable
outdoor patio spaces, and provides protection
from heat, ultraviolet radiation, and physical
abuse resulting in a longer lasting roof system.
In the fall of 2007 CMHA installed green roofs at seven of its low-rise
family units building in Lakeview Terrace.
The plants are doing extremely well and we
have documented their progress with two separate
slideshows, one for the 2008 growth season,
and one for 2009. As you will see, in 2009
the plantings have exploded into a lush covering
which is not only beautiful, but will contribute
to the energy efficiency of these buildings.
Click
here to view the 2008 Green Roof Growth
Slideshow.
Click
here to view the 2009 Green Roof Growth Slideshow.
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