Green roof blocks

Abstract

Green Roof Blocks is a completely unique approach to covering the surface of roof tops with vegetation. The strategy of using self contained, durable 22 gauge galvalume sheet metal material containers, which can be easily installed and moved, differs from anything currently available in the market place. Much heavier plastic or polypropylene containers are currently on the market with limited success. My product requires no machinery to lift, nor any particular training to install. The use of rubber composite walk pad material as resting pads assures roofing system compatibility and warranty integrity. Thus no additional materials are required to separate the container from the roofing system. In fact, the walk pad material can be procured from different roofing system manufacturers allowing the roofing system manufacturer to provide a material acceptable to come in contact with the roofing material. This ease of use, choice of material and configuration, and system compatibility is unique to my invention.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] There are no Cross References to Related Applications to declare. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] This invention is not the subject of Federally Funded Research or Development, and has not received any federal funding. REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX [0003] This Non provisional Utility Patent Application contains no Sequence Listing, Table, or Computer Program Listing Compact Disk. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] Green roofs, roof gardens, eco-roofs all refer to the planting of vegetation on the roof surface of building structures. The principle of green roofs has been widely used in Europe for several decades. Roof top vegetation substantially reduces storm water run off, solar heat gain, and thermal transfer through the roof. In addition, large vegetated surfaces help to replenish oxygen through photosynthesis. Though the benefits are...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] Green Roof Blocks are sedum kamtschaticum plants housed in 24 inch square, self contained units. The containers can easily be placed on the roof providing quick and inexpensive installation of green roof vegetation. The system weight is between 12 and 18 pounds per square foot, well within the dead load capacity of most building roof structure. Each unit weighs between 50 and 75 pounds, depending on the level of water saturation, which can be easily moved to access the roof membrane for repair. In the event of soil based plant disease, contamination is contained within the unit allowing for the replacement of only the effected units. This simple roof greening methodology can be used in conjunction with typical roofing systems, on typical building structure, allowing building owners to realize the benefits and cost savings of a green roof for a fraction of the cost of typical green roof construction.

Problems solved by technology

Though the benefits are many, the typical green roofs costs are several times that of most roofing systems.

The high price of typical green roof construction emanates from costly waterproofing procedures, extensive drainage layers, soil of depths ranging from eight inches to twenty four inches, and additional required structural construction to support resulting increased weight.

Repairs to the roofing membrane are extremely expensive due to the large quantities of material that must be moved to access the waterproofing layer.

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