Environmental

"Green" Roofing Project

We are looking to get a good outdoor space, but unfortunately what would have been our backyard was sacrificed to a property around the corner many years ago. We are looking at a green roof, possibly with a partial roof deck and solar panels. Anyone have any experience getting this done in Brooklyn? We’ve spoken…

by Brownstoner
11/02/2005 1 minute 10

We are looking to get a good outdoor space, but unfortunately what would have been our backyard was sacrificed to a property around the corner many years ago. We are looking at a green roof, possibly with a partial roof deck and solar panels. Anyone have any experience getting this done in Brooklyn? We’ve spoken with deck builders, but are looking to tie it in with the other aspects of a green roof as seamlessly as possible.

Environmental

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  2. In reference to LG’s question above,
    There are three basic classifications of Green Roofs, ‘Extensive’, ‘Semi-Intensive’, and ‘Intensive’. Extensive Green Roofs are those that are not accessible to walk on and have plant cover, sometimes called ‘seedums’. Intensive Green Roofs are more like rooftop gardens with larger plans, paving, seating, walking spaces(what most people think of when they think of Green Roofs). Semi-Intensive then is a combination of the two with only some of the roof accessible while the rest is left alone with minimal maintenance after it is established. It sounds like you are talking about doing a Semi-Intensive roof which means before it is designed there are so many variables that the cost per sq/ft could vary considerably. Extensive Green Roofs are estimated to cost around $10-15 per sq/ft not including the roof membrane(www.greenroofs.org). Therefore a Semi-Intensive Roof will be more than $15 per sq/ft with the sky being the limit(pardon the pun) depending on your size and types of plants chosen, walkway types, fencing, seating, etc…
    I hope this helps.

    Jeremy Shannon, AIA, LEED AP
    Prospect Architecture, PC
    (718) 783-0348

  3. EPDM Roofing Membranes are mechanicaly fastened and are sealed at the seems and the perimiter only. Since this is so the rest of the new roofing membrne merely floats on the roof deck.
    If the EPDM tears as a result foot trafic or firewoks etc., rain water will fill up under the EPDM and become a small disaster.
    Also you must TEAR OFF your existing roofing down to the roof deck, in order to fasten the seems to the decking.
    EPDM also causes a problem at 90 degree angles on wooden decks. It does so because of the shifting of the stucture during expantion and contraction when the temparature rises or drops dramaticaly. Which is a common occurance in NY.
    EPDM roofs are recomended by roofing experts for wearhouse roofs that are Flat with a minimal amount of “cutouts” and with concrete roof decks!!!!!
    Modified Bitumen come in several styles.
    M.B. can be smoothe surfaced, (APP) (Atactic Polypropelyne PLASTIC)that is usually appied to your roof deck with a BLOW TORCH. BTW BLOW TORCH application is against the law on Wooden Decked Flat Roofs in NYC. There is a huge Fine if a contractor is caught “Torching Down” a roof.
    Also APP must be coated with an Aluminum coating every couple of years, in order to maintain its Warranty!! And it is so important that you wait at least 45 days before the FIRST coating is applied.
    The rnew roof needs that time so that natural oils and preservatives are drawn out by the suns UV rays.
    It takes at least 45 days for the roof to “CURE”.
    Virtually all the Roofers that install APP coat the roof the same day that they install it. THIS is WRONG and will cut the life of the roof in halh!!! The oils and persevatives will be trapped under the coating and eat away at the new roof.
    The perfect M. B. Roof for NY is SBS (Styrene Butadyne Styrene). This roof literaly has Rubber in it. SBS is a combination of Rubber and Bitumen (TAR). The Tar is modified so that it will be compatable with the Rubber.
    Since SBS is Rubber, it will move freely as the roof deck expands and contracts.
    Where as the “torch Down” APP Fractures in cold climates when it shifts or expands. (Just look at any of your nieghbors roofs and you will see for yourself)!!! That is if you can can get up to your Flat Roof from your Hatch.
    The SBS Ceramic mineral surface never need to be coated. The Ceramic reflects the UV Rays and will last Years beyond its Warranty. That is if it is installed properly.
    Please forgive any Gammatical and or Spelling errors.
    I’m no Linguistic. But I am one heck of a Roofer:)
    I hope that helps you with your question on EPDM versus Modified Bitumen.
    Nick Kontzamanis, brooklynroofer@yahoo.com Leak Master Roofing 718 421-2000

  5. ‘Prospect Architecture’ is a sustainable design/build firm where we specialize in all types of environmental design, from sustainable materials, radiant flooring, and storm water cisterns, to green roofs. To be honest though, to date we have not implemented a green roof not due to lack of trying or knowledge, but lack of a willing client. Leslie Hoffman(212-725-6611) is the name of the director of Earthpledge mentioned above and she is rightfully the first place you should look for someone specifically experienced in green roofs. Keep Prospect Architecture in mind though when it comes to finding a like minded architecture firm to help you implement this or any other environmentally contious project. Thanks.

    Jeremy Shannon, AIA, LEED AP
    Principal Architect
    Prospect Architecture, PC
    (718)783-0348

  8. Hey all,
    My husband does green roofs (has for years) and I’m sure would be happy to talk to anyone about it – he’s a bit of a green roof evangelist. He just finished installing the largest greenroof in NY on top of SilverCup Studios – part of an Earth Pledge initiative (someone else mentioned them above). Not that it is a green roof, but he also just installed Robert Smithson’s Floating Island (that barge that towed an Island around Manhattan all last month)… Email me and I’ll give you his phone number…His name is Mike. Good luck and I’m really happy to hear others are trying to install green roofs in NY!

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