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Abstract
This study aims to provide technical data on the performance of green roofs in the City of Toronto, and to illustrate their benefits in an urban context. Two extensive green roof systems were installed on a community centre in Toronto. Both systems contained the same components that differed in materials and designs. The green roofs contained lightweight growing medium, 75 - 100 mm in depth, that supported a variety of vegetation. The green roofs, and a reference roof, were instrumented to provide thermal performance and energy efficiency data, as well as runoff measurements. Although the vegetation was not well established in the first year of monitoring, never-theless, the extensive green roofs reduced the building’s energy demand by lowering the heat flow through the roof, especially in the summer. The green roofs were shown to be effective in delaying and reducing stormwater runoff and the retention efficiency depended upon the characteristics of the rain event (intensity and amount) and the wetting history of the growing medium. Preliminary observations and membrane temperatures recorded also suggest that green roofs could likely improve membrane durability by reducing heat aging, thermal stresses, ultra-violet radiation and physical damages.
This study aims to provide technical data on the performance of green roofs in the City of Toronto, and to illustrate their benefits in an urban context. Two extensive green roof systems were installed on a community centre in Toronto. Both systems contained the same components that differed in materials and designs. The green roofs contained lightweight growing medium, 75 - 100 mm in depth, that supported a variety of vegetation. The green roofs, and a reference roof, were instrumented to provide thermal performance and energy efficiency data, as well as runoff measurements. Although the vegetation was not well established in the first year of monitoring, never-theless, the extensive green roofs reduced the building’s energy demand by lowering the heat flow through the roof, especially in the summer. The green roofs were shown to be effective in delaying and reducing stormwater runoff and the retention efficiency depended upon the characteristics of the rain event (intensity and amount) and the wetting history of the growing medium. Preliminary observations and membrane temperatures recorded also suggest that green roofs could likely improve membrane durability by reducing heat aging, thermal stresses, ultra-violet radiation and physical damages.
Date
5/2005
5/2005
Author(s)
Karen Liu, John Minor
Karen Liu, John Minor
Page(s)
Keyword(s)
green roof benfits; Toronto; urban area;
green roof benfits; Toronto; urban area;