MetaEfficient Reviews » Gardening

Green Roofs – Efficient Design Starts At The Top

benjamin — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:42:50 +0000

Green roofs have seen a surge in popularity recently as sustainable building designs become more mainstream. Soil and plantings on a building’s rooftop can help manage water runoff, improve air quality, and reduce energy use by moderating indoor temperatures. They can also prolong the life of a building’s roof by protecting it from the wear and tear of wind, water, and UV rays. But a truly efficient green roof requires a dedicated design to ensure proper drainage and healthy vegetation without compromising the underlying roof structure, as well as a growing medium that is more stable and lightweight than normal soil.

Green roofs can be modular systems (typically arrays of trays containing all the vegetation and necessary drainage structures), or they may be permanent designs grown directly on the rooftop. Designs can be either “extensive” (thin and lightweight layers of plantings focusing on function over aesthetics) or “intensive” (more substantial landscapings or roof gardens, usually involving thicker layers of growing medium up to 12” deep).

Here is a look at some features and advantages of three popular types of systems currently on the market.

Xero Flor Green Roof System

3,500 SqFt. Xero Flor Green Roof at Michigan State University (image: Xero Flor)

A green roof isn’t quite as simple as merely rolling out some sod, but the Xero Flor system comes close. An impermeable base layer is installed first to protect the rooftop, then a layer of nylon filaments is added on top of the base layer to allow drainage and water flow. A fleece fabric layer comes next to retain water for the plantings, and finally a layer of Xero Terr growing medium for the pre-vegetated sedum and moss mats that are rolled out on top.

Minimal thickness designs mean only certain hardy plantings can thrive, and any continuous system like this can make it difficult to access the roof below if repairs are needed. But a functional system like Xero Flor provides all the benefits of a green roof without adding unnecessary weight to the roof structure, even when it’s fully saturated.

More details are available at the Xero Flor website.

GreenGrid Green Roof System

GreenGrid Green Roof System (image: Weston Solutions, Inc.)

A modular design like the Weston GreenGrid system offers added flexibility and convenience to a green roof. Pre-planted trays are available in thicknesses ranging from 2.5” to 8”, depending on foliage choice and weight limitations. As long as the building’s structure can support the added weight, the modules can be placed directly on a roof’s existing membrane.

The trays are constructed of UV-resistant recycled plastic, and they can be easily moved or rearranged to accommodate roof repairs or design changes. However, modular designs may not be considered as aesthetically attractive as permanent plantings, and the individual trays of some systems may not be able to handle drainage quite as effectively as continuous systems.

You can find the GreenGrid Roofs website here.

LiveRoof Green Roof System

LiveRoof Green Roof System (image: LiveRoof, LLC)

LiveRoof LLC has developed a hybrid system that offers the convenience and flexibility of a modular system with the complete coverage of a whole-roof design. Pre-vegetated modules are transported to the job site with removable edging; once the modules are fitted together, the edging is removed to create a continuous layer of soil. Although this system isn’t quite as flexible as self-contained trays once it’s installed, sections can still be removed for roof access if necessary. The continuous layer of plantings allows for drainage and root growth, and also provides gap-free insulation for the roof.

Learn more at the LiveRoof website.

Do you have firsthand experience with these (or any other) green roof systems? Leave a comment below and let us know!

Largest Modular Green Roof Installed: 2.3 Acres The largest modular green roo, has been installed on...
The PowerPod: A Green Home That Arrives On A Truck The PowerPod is a modular home that incorporates many...
Very Efficient Modular Home: mkLotus ...

The Rainwater Pillow – Rain Barrel Meets Cistern

benjamin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:30:18 +0000

The Rainwater Pillow (photo: Rainwater Collection Systems, Inc.)

Utilizing rainwater runoff is a double bonus for homeowners, both in environmental and financial terms. It reduces the amount of water consumed from the municipal system, and it lessens the strain on wastewater treatment facilities that must process water after it flows down the drain. A rain barrel is great for small-scale applications like a flower garden, and now there is an option for large-scale rainwater collection without the need for a traditional cistern: the Rainwater Pillow.
(more…)

Best Backyard Compost Tumblers Composting is a great way to reduce the amount of...
Update: Bank Of America Tower, Greenest Skyscraper In The U.S. A while back, MetaEfficient profiled what could be the greenest...
High School Captures 280,000 Gallons Of Water Per Year Our buildings and homes could capture all water we...

Best Backyard Compost Tumblers

benjamin — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:10:21 +0000

Best Compost Tumblers

Composting is a great way to reduce the amount of waste your household generates, plus there’s the added benefit of free fertilizer for your yard or garden. There are some nifty options for indoor composting on the market, but to do it on a larger scale you need to move outdoors. Here are four of the best compost tumblers available, each of which will help keep your backyard composting as easy and tidy as possible.

(more…)

Naturemill Pro Promises Easy & Efficient Indoor Composting Nobody’s going to put up with a compost heap in...
The Rainwater Pillow – Rain Barrel Meets Cistern Utilizing rainwater runoff is a double bonus for homeowners, both...
Office Building Is 100% Sewer-Free The sewer systems we use today are entirely ineffectual...

Updates From The MetaEfficient Kitchen Labs

Justin — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 07:12:00 +0000

This summer I’ve been working on food-related optimization projects, here are some updates:

I now have subscriptions with two local farmers (through a CSA or Community Support Agriculture). One farmer provides me with raw milk, raw butter and eggs, the other farmer provides vegetables and fruit. They both happen to deliver to same street in my neighborhood, so I ride my bike about one kilometer and pick up both deliveries using a bike trailer. (more…)

Green Coffee Beans Roasting your own coffee beans at home is quite...
Innovation: Biodegradeable Coffee Cups! Today, there is no way to compost or recycle the...
Notes From The MetaEfficient Labs I’ve been doing a lot of work in the...

Incredible Vegetables from Self-Watering Containers

Justin — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 21:16:10 +0000

Self-watering container gardens are an efficient method of growing. You can go on vacation and not have to worry that your tomatoes will be wilted when you get back. Ed Smith, the author of Incredible Vegetables from Self-Watering Containers, became fascinated with the possibilities of self-watering containers and began testing dozens of vegetables in various containers, experimenting with nutrients, soil mixtures, plant varieties, and container positioning.

Now Smith is here to tell gardeners that anyone can grow and enjoy wonderful organic vegetables, using pots with continuous-flow watering systems.

Smith shares advice on choosing appropriate containers, how to provide balanced nutrition using his secret soil formula, and what additional tools benefit the container gardener. The reader will also find advice on starting from seed versus buying plants, which vegetables thrive in containers and which might be a bit more challenging, along with space-saving tips on pairing plants in single containers.

Available from: Amazon for $13.57.

Updates From The MetaEfficient Kitchen Labs This summer I’ve been working on food-related optimization projects,...
Plug-in Electric Trucks Coming To U.S. The air quality of urban areas would greatly improved...
Notes From The MetaEfficient Labs I’ve been doing a lot of work in the...

The Best Push Reel Mowers

Justin — Thu, 15 Sep 2005 11:28:54 +0000

Modern reel mowers are quite efficient at cutting grass using nothing but your own push power.

There’s a good overview of manual reel mowers at Reel Mower Guide. They cover the advantages and disadvantages of manual mowers, and offer some tips for using the mowers.

Here are the top rated reel mowers:

Scotts 20″ Classic Reel Mower

Reviewers seem to think the Scotts 20″ Classic Reel Mower has great performance, and it gets a average of 4/5 from 356 Amazon reviewers. The price is around $100.

Brill 33 Reel Mower

Brill Luxus 33 is also well-liked — it is lightweight at 16.1 pounds, making it easy to maneuver and push. It uses a silent cutting blade system, and the cutting height is adjustable. It sells for about $200.

Biomethane: A Fuel From Pure Grass This is highly optimal. In Austria, cars can now...
No Impact Man No Impact Man is really on the cutting-edge of efficient,...
Hand-Crafted Recreational Vehicles Tonke Campers are hand-built RVs that are now being...

Botanikka Heirloom Seeds

Justin — Wed, 03 Aug 2005 09:00:06 +0000

Botanikka sells very affordable heirloom vegetable seeds. They come in packs with quaint, retro images on them. We planted some of the seeds, and sure enough, we now have heirloom varieties of vegetables growing all over the place. See more info on heirloom seeds here. The French Cuisine mix, for example, contains ten packs of unusual, French-themed vegetables and herbs, for $7. Available from the
Botanikka Store.

AeroGarden: Easy, Efficient Indoor Gardening In 2004, MetaEfficient.com pre-reviewed the AeroGrow aeroponics growing system....
Optimal Gift Wrapping Optimal gift wrapping comes from renewable sources and does...
Updates From The MetaEfficient Kitchen Labs This summer I’ve been working on food-related optimization projects,...

Biopavers

Justin — Tue, 31 May 2005 11:08:29 +0000

We mentioned previously that using porous pavers is an effective alternative to paving with concrete. They make patios and driveways less erosion-prone and they do not get as hot as hard-surfaced pavement.

Now a company called Biopaver is trying to take things a step further by introducing a new type of paver designed to catch storm water run-off but also to reduce the impact of petroleum-based pollution (from oil and gasoline spills for example – quite a widespread problem).

Their solution is the “biopaver” — a paver with prepackaged soil and phytoremediating (pollution absorbing) plants to target petroleum.

Sounds great — I wonder if you can get the same effect with porous pavers and seeding them with the right plants.

Efficient Use Of Solar LED Bricks Looks good! It’s a large-scale installation of Solar LED...
Chicago’s Green Alley Initiative Urban alleyways. Grubby places that only scrappy cats or cop-show...
IKEA To Start Charging For Plastic Bags IKEA will begin charging customer five cents for disposable...

Upside-Down Tomato, Flower and Vegetable Planter

Justin — Mon, 28 Mar 2005 07:53:18 +0000

An interesting idea.

This planter can used to tomatoes, other vegetables or even flowers from a small area.

Hang on decks, patios, porches, balconies, or even from a tree.

The manufacturer claims feeding and watering is easy: you pour water or nutrients into the top of the funnel.

Web Site: Clean Air Gardening ($19.95)

Updates From The MetaEfficient Kitchen Labs This summer I’ve been working on food-related optimization projects,...
AeroGarden: Easy, Efficient Indoor Gardening In 2004, MetaEfficient.com pre-reviewed the AeroGrow aeroponics growing system....
Road Runner Shower Head Has Unique “Pause” Feature I’ve been testing the Road Runner low-flow showerhead, which...

Raised Beds: Efficient

Justin — Sat, 26 Mar 2005 20:28:17 +0000

The “Raised Beds” method of gardening is certainly metaefficient, and should be included in our guide here. Raised beds are widely acknowledged as the method to obtain the greatest yields of vegetables per alloted space.

You can read about the benefits here: Aaron’s Home & Garden weblog (Aaron is an expert in Rainwater Harvesting).

Website: Aaron’s Home & Garden

The book Cubed Foot Gardening: Growing Vegetables in Raised, Intensive Beds shows how to build these simple, inexpensive beds and how to grow the most popular vegetables in them, using innovative tricks and techniques that would not be possible to employ in a conventional garden.

AeroGarden: Easy, Efficient Indoor Gardening In 2004, MetaEfficient.com pre-reviewed the AeroGrow aeroponics growing system....
Updates From The MetaEfficient Kitchen Labs This summer I’ve been working on food-related optimization projects,...
Chinese Design Winner: High-Rise With Vertical Hydroponics This apartment high-rise concept won a sustainable housing award...