Presentation created for the Queens Library in 2022 covers eco-roofs including, whiteroof, blueroofs and brownroofs while introducing important concepts around the environmental impacts of each. Then moves on to greenroofs, which are distinct from rooftop terrace gardens. Covers extensive and intensive greenroofs and the various layers necessary to implement a sound greenroof. Also overs plant selection for extensive greenroofs.

1. Greenroofs & Eco-roofs
Increasing Your Urban Growing Potential
Presented by
gil lopez

2. Land Acknowledgment
I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which I live, work and play. I have developed this
presentation from within my home in the traditional lands of the Lenape Peoples, now called Astoria, Queens. And
I am presenting today from the traditional territory of the Timucua and Seminole people, so called Orlando, FL.
While colonization has largely extirpated the these peoples, I recognize their continuing connection to land, water
and community. I also pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging. My intention today is that this presentation
will help bring honor and dignity back to lands and waters of Lenapehoking where most of you are tuning in.

3. https://www.queenslibrary.org/book/Small-green-roofs-:-low-tech-options-for-greener-living/1510517

4. https://www.queenslibrary.org/book/Green-roof-plants-:-a-resource-and-planting-guide/1082451

5. https://www.queenslibrary.org/book/The-rooftop-growing-guide-:-how-to-transform-your-roof-into-a-veg/1950372

6. https://www.queenslibrary.org/book/Creating-my-green-roof-:-a-guide-to-planning,-installing-and-main/1987812

7. Lesson Plan
Eco-roofs Types
Types of Greenroofs
Rooftop Gardens
Building a Greenroof
Plants Selections
Rooftop Farming
Vertical Green-screens
Other Resources
NYC Greenroofs to Visit

8. Why Greenroofs &
Rooftop Gardens?
Aesthetics
Create living
works of art.
Indoor Air
Quality
Purify your air.
LEED®
Credits
Gain points.
Building
Protection
Shield from sun,
rain and thermal
fluctuations.
Energy Savings
Cut electricity
bills by up to
20%.
Health &
Wellness
Reduce stress
and enhance
wellbeing.
Property Value
Marketable green feature.
Acoustics
Dampen noise
pollution.
Sustainability
Make your
world greener.
http://www.greenovergrey.com/green-wall-benefits/overview.php

9. Maximizing Urban Space
We live in one of the most
densely populated cities in the
world. NYC residents have little
access to private green space so
we must make the most of very
square inch we can. One way to
do this is to reconsider the
rooftop spaces in the urban
environment. From terraces
and rooftops on commercial,
residential and industrial
buildings.What rooftop spaces
do you have access to that
could be a little greener?

29. Brownroofs
http://www.greenovergrey.com/green-wall-benefits/overview.php
Sometimes called ecoroofs
in the UK, are similar to a
greenroof but use native
material from the
construction site to
mitigate loss of habitat,
especially formerly
brownfield lands.These are
naturally vegetated by
birds and other animals
dropping seed. Brownroofs
are designed to increase
biodiversity, specifically for
remediated brownfield
lands.

34. Terrace/Rooftop
Gardens
Consider the weight that additional
uses will add to the roof. Check the
structural integrity before adding
heavy items such as planters, water
features, etc.
Always protect any exposed roofing
surfaces and materials. Place
protective material such as fabric or
rubber under pots, planters, pavers,
chairs or walking areas.
Consider planting a drought resistant
garden with less heavy soils to reduce
the weight loads.
Get creative! Check out other
workshops on container gardening.

35. Types of Greenroofs
Extensive
Semi-
Intensive
Intensive

36. Layers of Engineered Greenroofs

37. Layers of Engineered Greenroofs
Lets start from the bottom
and work our way up

38. Roof Deck
Considerations
Your existing roof and structure should be in good repair. A greenroof will not fix an old, failing or
leaking roof.
A greenroof protects and can extend the life of your existing roof by by blocking UV radiation.This
reduces material deterioration.
Your roof needs to be structurally sound. A greenroof system, or even potted plants and patio furniture
will add weight to your roof. Have a structural engineer examine the structure before adding weight to
your roof
While you can build an extensive greenroof on a slope, this is complicated and not advised unless it is
new construction and performed by a professional designer and contractor with experience in sloped
roof applications.
The first rule of green roof club is that you never damage a living roof’s structural integrity.You really
don’t want to have to re-do your green roof or cause leaks to the existing roof!

39. Greenroof
Insulation
Insulation under greenroofs is
important for maintaining a healthy
vegetated layer.
Insulation also increases the energy
efficiency of the building, especially
the top two floors of buildings.
Polyiso (PIR) and Extruded
polystyrene (XPS) are preferred for
active greenroofs where uses include
people lounging or recreating in
addition to plants.
PIR, XPS and Expanded polystyrene
(EPS) can be used under planting
areas with no other human uses.

40. Waterproof
Membrane
Roofs should already be water tight. Adding an
additional waterproofing membrane as part of
a greenroof installation is crucial.
There are various materials from EPDM
(Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer),
standard pond liner, poured tar and an
industry favorite Bituthene, which is rolled out
and applied with a sticky, tar-like backing.
Pay special attention to any roof penetrations
such as HVAC, plumbing and electrical
components which are housed on the roof and
have conduit or duct entering the building.
Be mindful of the perimeter walls as well.

41. Root
Barrier
Root barriers are largely impenetrable, waterproof pieces of (typically and preferably recycled)
plastic that prevent roots from breaking through your roof’s waterproof and drainage layers.
If you don’t have a root barrier, you’re at risk of water damage, compromised insulation and
structural integrity.
More than just weed blocking landscape fabric, look for tough products rated to stop aggressive
roots like bamboo, Japanese knotweed, Silver Maple, Southern Magnolia, etc.
A less industrial root barrier could work for extensive greenroofs with only sedum, but the chance
of invasive knotweed establishing itself warrants tough material even on these types of greenroofs.
Pay special attention to roof penetrations and overlapping material. Used root barrier tape or other
installation methods to ensure roots cannot penetrate gaps between overlapping root barrier or
where the barrier ends.

42. Drainage
Layer
Usually a HDPE (High Density Poly
Ethylene) membrane.
The are often cuspated, so they
include small reservoirs where water is
retained.This reduces stormwater
runoff and provides plant additional
water in times of drought. Excess rain
water passes through perforations in
the membrane and is directed to a
roof drain.
Other drainage layers such as gravel
and entangled material do not retain
water but rather direct all excess
rainwater to roof drains immediately.

43. Filter Fabric
The main purpose is to keep growing
medium (soil) out of the drainage layer.
Some drain board is manufactured
with filter fabric already attached.
A basic non-woven geotextile
landscape, weed blocking fabric can be
used
When installing an extensive roof with
a thin layer of soil, non woven wool
felt can help store and distribute water
within the root zone and is sometimes
even used as a “soilless” growing
media.

44. Growing
Medium
Not called soil for a reason, greenroof
growing medium is engineered to be
lightweight and retain very little water.
Contains expanded minerals such as
clay, slate & shale.These do not add
nutrient or hold water.
Low organic material so it absorbs
less water, keeping the saturation
weight low after a storm.This is
helpful for sedum and succulents, but
needs to be amended if you are
planning on growing flowers, food
crops or any other larger plants.

45. Extensive Greenroof
Vegetated Layer
Plant types vary greatly
depending on the type
and depth of the
greenroof.
Sedum is typical for
extensive greenroofs
and comes in pre-
vegetated rolls, tiles
and plugs.

46. Sedum
Varieties
Sedum is a perennial plant with thick,
succulent leaves, fleshy stems, and
clusters of star-shaped flowers.
Prefer full sun and dry conditions
Wet, heavy clay soils lead to root and/
or stem rot.
Sedum spread quickly and can be
planted sparingly to reduce initial
greenroof costs.
Can stand up to some foot traffic
Come in various varieties and colors
but generally do not grow more than
6-12 inches tall, although some have
flowers that will get up to 3 feet tall.

47. Tips for Rooftop
Farming
Consider going vertical
Consider water! Add irrigation, grow
hydroponically or use sub-irrigated
planters (SIPs)
Add compost if using a lightweight
growing medium
Choose crops that can take high heat
such as: corn, okra, eggplant, hot
peppers, tomatillos, and melons like
watermelons and cantaloupes
Consider adding bees or even fish for
an aquaponic system
Extend your growing season and
protect plants from wind with a
greenhouse

48. Living Walls
Living walls (AKA green walls) are
self sufficient vertical gardens
found on exterior or interior walls
or other vertical elements. The
plants are rooted in a structural
support which is fastened to the
wall itself. The plants receive water
and nutrients from within the
vertical support instead of from the
ground. Irrigation is often necessary
Alternative Rooftop Gardening Ideas

49. Green Veneer
A support structure that allows vines
to row up or onto a vertical element to
screen it. Roots and soil are not housed
in the wall but rather on the ground or
in separate planters. When grown
around HVAC intake systems green
veneers can clean and purify the air and
decrease the temperature, this
increasing HVAC efficiency and
decreasing energy usage.
Alternative Rooftop Gardening Ideas

50. Alpine Plants for
Exterior Living Walls
Found in alpine climates, high elevation and
above the tree line. Alpine species include
perennial grasses, sedges, forbs, cushion
plants, mosses, and lichens. Adapted to the
harsh environmental conditions including
low temperatures, dryness, UV radiation, and
a short growing season. Adaptations include:
Low to the Ground, Cushions and Mats,
Evergreen Foliage, Red Leaves,Thick,Waxy
Leaves, Fuzzy, Curled Leaves, Slow Growth.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpine_plant
Delosperma Yellow Ice, Iberis
Snowflake
Phlox Candy Stripes, Sedum
Dragon's Blood
Mazus Reptans, Veronica Christy
Alternative Rooftop Gardening Ideas

51. Visit NYC Greenroofs
Association for Energy
Affordability (mixed +
living wall, photovoltaic
energy cells)
Bronx Courthouse (mixed)
Bronx River Houses (mixed)
Brooklyn Botanical Garden
visitor center (extensive)
Queens Botanic Garden
(mixed)
The Highline (intensive)
Javits Center (mixed)
Brooklyn Grange (LIC,
Navy yard & Army Terminal
- mixed)
Eagle Street Farm
(extensive)
Kingsland Wildlowers
(extensive)
The Five Boro Parks Admin
Building (mixed + living
walls & bees)
Fordham Univ. Lincoln
Center Campus (intensive)
Lincoln Center’s
Illumination Lawn
(extensive)
David Rubenstein Atrium
(living wall)
Brooklyn Heights Carriage
House
Con Edison Training Center
Bronx Design and
Construction Academy
West Village Loft
The Brook
The Solaire
USPS Morgan Distribution
Center
Regis High School

52. Thank You
https://www.slideshare.net/glopezsez
Find me on social media
@glopezsez
@SmilingHogsheadRanch
@resistance_is_fertile
Questions/Comments
glopezsez@gmail.com