Traverse City, Mich. – Existing homeowners in Traverse City, Mich., will be the first on the block to have a green roof.
The residential project will see AGA’s Advanced Green Roof (AGR) system installed on a 400-square-foot addition to an existing home. Green roofs provide numerous environmental and economic benefits including storm water management, carbon sequestration, reduction of urban heat islands, extended roof life and improved aesthetics among many others.
AGR trays will be installed with a variety of sedums and native grasses that will be pre-grown inside a greenhouse before being shipped to the project site.
“Green roof plants need to be able to withstand the harsh conditions encountered on a rooftop environment,” explained Erik Cronk, co-owner of AGA. “We have conducted research on numerous plant varieties and selected plants that are water efficient, can withstand high temperatures, require little maintenance and look beautiful.”
The low sloping roof is visible from ground level and will add to the aesthetic quality of the home. AGR’s patent-pending sub-surface irrigation system, the only integrated irrigation system on the market, will be installed to ensure long lasting beauty for the homeowner.
Marsha Walton is excited for the project to begin on her home after years of considering some sort of green roof. When she visited Michigan State University, where her son is a student, and strolled through the gardens, she noticed a green roof on one of the buildings and began asking questions. After some inquiry, she was referred to MSU graduates Jeremiah Johnson and Erik Cronk, founders and co-owners of AGA.
“The green roof fits our lifestyle,” Walton said, explaining they are organic gardeners and have a winter room. “Looking out on the roof, we didn’t want to see a typical roof, and we didn’t want added heat.”
But the real draw is that the green roof fits the Walton’s’ philosophy to live organically.
For AGA, fitting a green roof to a home offers exciting opportunities.
“Residential structures can pose unique challenges for green roof installations because sloped green roofs have specific design considerations that have to be addressed related to roof aspect, temperature, and moisture dynamics,” Erik said. “AGR’s integrated subsurface irrigation and slope stabilizers are designed specifically for sloped green roofs and is an ideal solution for residential applications.”
Plants are being grown specifically for the Walton’s green roof. Installation of the roof is expected by the end of August.
