GREEN ROOF BASICSGreen roofs are not a new phenomenon. The first known historical reference to green roofs is to stone temples planted with vegetation, called ziggurats, built in ancient Mesopotamia from the fourth millennium until about 600 BC. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon is the most famous example of these temples.

Green roof technology provides many benefits. Because of this the North American green roof industry is poised for rapid growth over the next decade.

Green roofs have environmental, social, and financial benefits, including:� Improved aesthetics.� Waste diversion.� Storm water management:

o Quantity.o Quality.

� Reduction of the urban heat island (UHI) effect.� Improved air quality.� Improved ‘livability’.� Local Job Creation.

Most private building owners can benefit from this technology in anumber of ways, including:

� Energy efficiency.� Increased roof membrane lifespan.� Fire retardation.� Blockage of electromagnetic radiation.� Noise Reduction.� Marketability.

Generic Green Roof Cross Section Showing Basic Components

SADDLEBROOK JOINT USE FACILITY GREEN ROOF

The Saddlebrook green roof was funded by a portion of Douglas County’s Stormwater Management Plan Program Grant which is provided through the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality to assist Nebraska Cities and Counties with stormwater permit requirements.

Douglas County’s stormwater grant funds paid for the differential costs ($480,000) of the Saddlebrook green roof. This represented the cost difference between a conventional roof and this built-in-place green roof.

Why pay more for a green roof?The green roof will help protect the waterproof roof membrane from solar radiation and temperature extremes, the two primary factors that cause roofs to fail. It is expected that the Saddlebrook green roof will last at least twice as long as a conventional roof and provide many of the benefits noted on the other side of this sheet.

Saddlebrook green roof facts:• Roof Area: approximately 20,000 square feet• Plant type: Sedum (5 different varieties)• Number of sedum plugs planted: approximately 30,000

Planting the Saddlebrook green roof. Photo: K. Holm

A portion of the information for this flier was taken from the Green Roof Design 101 Participant’s Manual, developed by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities.

For more information on green roofs go to http://www.greenroofs.org.