Laboratory to Research Vegetated Roof Systems
Looking to add a green roof to your facility, but not sure which system will yield the best result?
Green roof developer Hanging Gardens, in conjunction with the UW-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences, will utilize the Milwaukee Water Council's Global Water Center's vegetated roof as a research laboratory to establish which systems are most beneficial for stormwater mitigation. Other criteria the roof will be tested against include:
- Water holding capacity
- Reduction in storm surge capabilities
- Evapotranspiration
- Cooling effect
- Leaching of pollutants and nutrients
- Rooting of cuttings
The 3,600-square-foot vegetative roof will consist of eleven different vegetative roofing slices, representing five different installation types.
Installation Type 1: Modular Systems
- Standard module with a biodegradable sidewall
- Standard module with 3/4-inch tall sidewall with removable soil elevator
- Standard module with full height sidewall
Installation Type 2: Vegetation Blanket System
- Fully vegetated sedum mat system
Installation Type 3: Sedum Tile System
- Color max fully vegetated sedum tile system
- Growers choice fully vegetated sedum tile ultra-lightweight system
Installation Type 4: Vegetated Plug Systems
- Native WI perennials – split patch w/ organosilica
- Garden variety perennials
Installation Type 5: Sedum Cuttings Systems
- Cold weather sedum cuttings system – split patch w/ organosilica
- Warm weather sedum cuttings system
- Zone 4 & 5 sedum cuttings system
For more information, visit the Global Water Center.