FAQ

A Green Roof is any roof with vegetation growing on it.

There are many benefits to installing green roofs. Here are a few:
1. Mitigation of the Urban Heat Island Effect
2. Storm Water Management
3. Energy Efficiency in the Building
4. Creating a More Ecological and Sustainable Environment
5. Noise Reduction
6. Extended Life of the Roofing Materials and the Waterproofing Membrane
7. Green Job Creation
8. Improved Aesthetics

The depth of the growing media (green roof soil) defines an intensive versus an extensive green roof. Roofs with growing media depths under 6″ are considered extensive. Roofs with depths over 6″ are considered intensive.

Eco-Roofs provides both materials for built up systems and modular green roof systems but we specialize in the modular systems primarily because they can be pre-grown at the Nursery so they are shipped with a fully established plant system that is ready to immediately provide all the benefits of a green roof. They also look instantly fantastic especially when they are installed during the summer when they are in full bloom. There is no waiting 1 to 2 years or even more for the plants to grow and fill out. Maintenance costs are greatly reduced since the roof doesn’t require the monitoring, weeding, fertilizing and watering that “built in place” or “just plugged” options do. Weeds are kept to a minimum because there are not places for them to get started. Wind erosion is nearly eliminated because the plant foliage blocks the wind from reaching the soil particles.

1.  � Eco-Roofs grows our modules to full plant establishment before shipment. This is full plant establishment both of the tops often referred to as plant or foliage coverage as well as of the roots which support and sustain the plants.

2.  � Eco-Roofs grows and maintains a large supply of trays pre-grown with a standard sedum mix so they are ready for your immediate use. They are acclimated to a northern climate so they can even be installed during the winter when the plants are dormant.

3.  � Eco-Roofs, through our parent company, Twixwood Nursery, has over 40 years of horticultural growing experience and a full staff of qualified horticulturists so we can provide you excellent plant expertise.

4.  � Eco-Roofs offers a full line of modular systems from our Standard tray to our Advanced, Eco-AGR trays as well as providing, plants, plugs, cuttings, vegetated mat and all your other needs for built up green roof systems. We are your one-stop-shop for all your green roof needs.

5.  � Eco-Roofs has a friendly staff and sales team. All of our sales staff are Accredited Green Roof Professionals (GRP) with years of experience in the green industry and installing and maintaining green roofs. We provide prompt turn around on quotes, friendly service, and answers to any of your green roof questions.

Eco-Roofs grows its system from mature plugs rather than cuttings. Mature plugs are usually at least a year old before they are put into our trays. There are 12 -15 plugs per tray. Once the plugs are planted, Eco-Roofs can have fully established trays in 12-15 weeks of summer growing with a fully rooted tray as well as full plant coverage. Starting from plugs also extends our growing season by allowing us earlier and later start and finish times.

This is when the system is fully rooted and grown in. Some systems look only for full plant coverage but Eco-Roofs also considers the roots that are unseen but really provide a healthy, long-lasting product. Eco-Roofs’ parent company,� Twixwood Nursery is the exclusive grower of Eco-Roofs’ trays and comes with more than 40 years of growing experience. Eco-Roofs’ trays are fully established at the Nursery under the watchful eye of a team of experienced horticulturists.

Since our standard system is fully established with tough, drought tolerant sedums, it is self-sustaining. In most parts of the country, watering is only necessary in drought conditions and therefore can be done by hand if necessary. Highly visible roofs, intensive roofs, roofs with plants other than sedum and the drier parts of the country should plan on installing an irrigation system. Eco-Roofs offers the Eco-AGR tray with a built in drip irrigation/capillary mat system for these situations.

Every spring apply a balanced fertilizer, check for weeds and proper roof drainage several times a year. See our maintenance section for more details. <Link to Maintenance Requirements Page and PDF>

Eco-Roofs standard 3.3” deep system does not require edging. This will save you the cost of materials and associated labor. Deep modules and our Eco-AGR system do require green roof edging and Eco-Roofs can provide this for you.

Yes, currently we have 4” and 6” deep trays. We also offer all the components for built in place systems.

Eco-Roofs maintains a substantial quantity of our 3.3” and 4” trays fully established and ready to ship all year long.  We can ship within a matter of days most of the year.

Yes, Eco-Roofs frequently grows custom plant mixes. We can grow designed logos and plant patterns. There is a 12 + week lead time during the growing season to get the plants established.

Yes, Eco-Roofs standard system can be installed on low to medium sloped roofs. Our Advanced Green Roof system (Eco-AGR) can be installed on steeper roofs.

Eco-AGR is our newest Modular tray system. It is the “best of both worlds.” Eco-AGR is a modular tray with a biodegradable liner that acts like a built in place system in 8 short months. Additionally it has a subterranean irrigation system.

The irrigation system allows for a shallow growing media, resulting in light weight systems. The irrigation also allows for a plant pallet that goes beyond the standard drought tolerant sedum plants.

The maximum weight when fully saturated with full plant material for our standard 3.3” tray is 23 lbs/sf. Our 4” standard tray would be 29 lbs/sf. Our 4” Eco-AGR system would have a maximum fully saturated with mature plants weight of 24 lbs/sf.

Yes, our parent company, Twixwood Nursery, <link to www.twixwood.com> offers 1000’s of plant varieties in many different formats. We have cuttings, plugs and potted plants.

Eco-Roofs ships plants throughout North America. We have a fleet of vehicles allowing us to ship orders of any size.

Yes Eco-Roofs starts our plants from cuttings or root stock and grows it to the appropriate size before planting into the tray system. We have great quality control from the beginning of the plant’s life through delivery to your jobsite. We insure the best quality product for your client.

Standard Eco-Roofs 3.3” tray system start under $9.00 per sq. ft., plus shipping. Do to the uniqueness of each roof and each project, we quote each project separately. Simply fill out the quote request form <link to the quote page> or call today <phone number >.

Eco-Roofs makes every effort get you a quote within one business day of your request.