Benefits of Green Walls and Roofs continued...

Heat Island Mitigation

Heat Islands are a weather phenomenom caused by the centralized heat produced by our cities through vehicle exhaust, air conditioners, and massive quantities of heat-aborbing asphalt and concrete. Green Walls and Roof directly reduce this effect. When moisture evaporates from greenery, there is a significant amount of heat consumed in the evaporation process. Indirectly, Green Walls and Roofs reduce A/C requirements in buildings reducing energy consumption and heat production.

Energy Savings

A Green Wall can reduce temperatures behind it by as much as 35°F (depending on which direction it is facing), which also results in significant air conditioning savings. The room temperature of a floor directly below a Green Roof is decreased approximately 35°F . With a temperature reduction of this size, air conditioning energy savings can be expected.

Storm Water Control

Brief concentrated rain storms can easily overwhelm stormwater entry points and cause severe damage and flooding. These instantaneous heavy rainfalls can cause flooding in subway systems and underground structures. In the same way that water is delayed from draining when adding water to a potted flower, a Green Roof acts like a massive sponge and provides a delay mechanism to relieve pressure on stormwater collection/entry points during flash rainfalls. On very deep soil systems (20"+) a dry Green Roof can stop the outflow of flash rainfalls completely.

Health and Wellness

City life surrounds us in physiological and psychological pressures with little available to help us relax our bodies and our minds. Natural greenery in our cities provides a spiritual and physical connection to nature. It seems to absorb the stressful and volatile components of our cities promoting our health and wellness. By dressing hard and unforgiving facades of concrete and iron in green soft plants we rejuvinate our minds and physical fatigue is greatly reduced. For example, there are several studies showing that hospital patients who have been in rooms with a clear sight of fullyblooming trees have required less pain relief drugs and recovered more quickly than patients who were in direct sight of concrete walls. A Green Roof or Wall can fill the spaces and walls surrounding patients with vitality extending up to blue skies.

Clean Air and CO2 Fixation

The process of photosynthesis consumes CO2 and releases O2, but this process also works in reverse. When you add up the total amount of CO2 consumed by a plant compared to the total amount of O2 produced by a plant, if the plant is healthy and does not die back, then the CO2 consumption value is usually higher. If kept in good health and maintained properly, 54ft2 of Green Wall Panels, 86ft2 of Vine Containers or 107ft2 of Extensive Green Roof consumes approximately the same amount of CO2 as a 13 foot-high tree per year. Wall Panels, Vine Containers and Extensive Green Roofs also consume trace amounts of Nitrus Oxide (42.8g/year) and Sulfur Dioxide (1.8g/year) (based on the same surface areas above). CO2, NOx and SO2 consumption rates vary greatly depending on the plant selection, our values for Green Wall Panels reflect the use of small evergreen shrubs and ferns, Vine Containers reflect the use of evergreen vines, and Extensive Green Roofs reflect the use of various sedums. If small evergreen shrubs or other semi-woody to woody perennials were used on the roof, the comsumption rates would be similiar to those of the wall.

Sound Insulation

We are constantly surrounded by noise and vibrations in the cities we live. Reducing that noise pollution is a topic of serious contention. Green Walls and Roofs provide a noise buffer which significantly reduces outside noise and vibration inside our homes and workplaces.

Habitat Restoration

Natural habitats are disappearing at an alarming rate, and habitat loss is the number one threat to wildlife today. Green Walls and Roofs are part of the solution to help restore habitat. By carefully choosing and planting attractive and/or native plant species, a Green Wall or Roof will attract birds and butterflies. A Green Wall or Roof can be designed to provide the ideal conditions for birds and butterflies to survive. It can provide:

• Food
• Water Supply
• Cover/Protection
• Places to bear and raise offspring

Educational Benefits

Green Walls and Roofs are the perfect tools to teach about the environment. The next generation needs to learn about the environmental concerns of today and how we addressing them. Problems like the Heat Island Effect, Global Warming, CO2 reduction in cities are all addressed by Green Walls and Roofs. Just a few of the topics that Green Walls and Roofs may be used for in eduction are:

• Ecological Observation
• Growing Plants and Vegetables
• Identifying the Protection of Buildings

Marketable Green Feature

There are many Green Features being built into todays buildings to attract clients. However, very few of them are noticable to potential customers. A Green Wall is a highly visible feature that connects environmental friendliness with a product or service without need for further explanation. Green Roofs can also be made visible Green features by putting them on an angle or making the Green Roof space accessible to owners as an amenity space. Our Green Walls are highly effective marketing tools. They can be designed to grow into your company logo, the likeness of a team mascot or character for an exhibition. This detailed design flexibility allows almost any type of design you can imagine to be reflected in plants.

Property Value Increase

It has been proven that quality landscaping and landscape amenities adds 15% to 20% to a buildings value. In commercial and residential applications, a Green Roof adds significantly to your buildings value. It's a relaxing quiet place to take a break from work, a place for customers to relax while shopping, somewhere to sit and read a book or to watch the sunset. What would a private and safe park in the centre of the city be worth to you?