Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/493534
A PR IL 2015 | 37 PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY FIRESTONE BUILDING PRODUCTS Green Roof Systems has a 4 ΒΌ inch depth and offers an optimal blend of esthetics, stormwater manage- ment and cost. In total, LiveRoof supplied green roofs for eight buildings built for the PanAm Games. While Govers says this year demand has levelled off, he sees a bull market once again in 2016/2017 due to the number of green roofs currently in design. Quebec-based SOPREMA is also seeing a surge in interest and admirers, with building owners and real estate promoters asking more and more questions about this technology. "To help waterproofing professionals meet their clients' needs, SOPREMA is constantly enhancing its SOPRANATURE green roofing systems in order to make installation easier and produce breathtaking results," according to SOPREMA. SOPRANATURE vegetated roof systems are one of the solutions offered by SOPREMA to meet the require- ments of the Canada Green Building Council's (CaGBC) LEED program. Research results showed that in very hot weather, green roofs significantly reduced spend- ing on energy for air conditioning in urban areas. In this way, installing a vegetated roof for at least 50 per cent of the roof area qualify for LEED credit SS7.2 regarding the reduction of the urban heat islands. SOPREMA focusses on three types of green roofs: extensive, intensive and semi-intensive. Extensive green roofs require only minimal maintenance since they contain plants selected for their self-sustaining capabilities such as crassulaceae, perennials resistant to drought and grasses. Intensive green roofs are similar to traditional gardens and have a wide variety of plants, including shrubs and trees. They can also include alleys, benches, lighting and ponds. Finally , semi-intensive green roofs aim at meeting esthetic and accessi- bility requirements. Their main goal is visual appeal, and the plants selected usually require irrigation, fertilizer and regular maintenance. Just as green roofing companies increase in number, so too does support from more established big brand firms. For example, Firestone Building Products offers quality, sustainable commercial roofing systems and accessories from polyiso insu- lation to reflective membranes. Firestone's EnviroReady Roofing System and Warranty is a comprehensive program that lets users install a high-quality conventional roof but allows them the option of upgrading with green roofing technology, including photovoltaic and garden systems, for up to seven years from installation. The limited warranty can be applied to pre-approved conventional Firestone roofing systems. Despite the green roof industry evolving as a somewhat strange juxtaposition of people with competing interests, van Spronsen is hopeful that everyone involved will begin to appreciate the need to work together. Fostering that notion is one of the objectives of the ROOFTech forum in Vancouver in May, which will feature a green roof demonstration by Architek and LiveRoof Ontario. "It's going to be an exciting future for green roof contractors, with more and more municipalities specifying these types of roofs in their development plans," says van Spronsen. "Events such as ROOFTech showcase what all the different companies can do. Meanwhile, associations such as ours can continue to promote best in class design and installation practices. Together, I think we can help develop an extremely dynamic industry that provides a host of environmental and economic benefits." A + SkyScape Vegetative Roof System by Firestone.