| LIVING WALLS |
What are the benefits of living walls?
There are so many benefits that can be felt with
living walls. The following are just a few examples:
Living walls conserve energy by insulating the building
envelope, reducing the need for heating in the winter
and cooling in the summer. They create biodiversity
conservation opportunities, and absorb and filter
storm water, which reduces local water body pollution
and helps prevent the overwhelming of municipal
storm water infrastructure. Living walls also filter
air particulates, improving air quality and help
to reduce the urban heat island effect (UHI). With
our interior kits the plants clean the air in your
office or home and also add humidity to the air
when you have your central heating on in the winter.
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What is the weight of ELT Easy
Green Living Wall panel?
Our empty panels weigh 2.2k and the planted panels
range from 15-20k (saturated) depending on the type
of growth medium used. The panels with extensions
weigh 4.5k empty and 20-25k (saturated) planted
depending on the soil used. |
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How do the plants stay in the
panels?
Each panel has 45 angled cells which keep the soil
and plants in. The roots of the plants also spread
throughout the panel securing the plants in place. |
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Do I need to plant every pocket or cell
in the panels?
The plants you choose will influence this decision.
You can choose plants that spread or are larger
when they fill in and plant every few cells, or
more compact plants that suggest planting every
cell. It is up to you what look you are trying to
achieve. On average I would say customer plant from
15-25 plants per panel. |
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How do the panels attach to a wall?
Direct wall installations are very simple. We suggest
first covering the wall with a waterproofing membrane
of some sort ( i.e.: pond liner, EPDM). Then the
mounting strips are secured horizontally across
the wall anchoring directly into the studs. The
living wall panels are then hung onto the mounting
strips. |
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What plants do people plant in them?
Plant choice is always location and climate dependant
so we look at each project individually. With our
shallow depth panels for outdoors we use a lot of
sedum and other rock garden perennials which have
shallow root base. With our extended panels you
can use a larger variety of perennials or annuals
and also some of the shallow root grasses. We try
in all cases to choose plants that are more drought
tolerant as we are always encouraging water conservation.
Native plants are also very helpful to habitat restoration
efforts, as most native plants provide food for
our local birds and butterflies. There are many
plants that can be grown on the ELT Easy Green Living
Wall ™ system. The factors that will affect
your choices are your climate zone, irrigation supply,
budget, and exposure. We can help you choose the
plants that are right for you. For indoor installations
we use hardy tropical plants with shallow roots. |
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Can I grow vegetables in my
living wall?
We have quite a few customers that are successfully
growing lettuce, herbs, beets, radishes & carrots
in their walls. Some are using extensions for the
plants with deeper root base. |
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How are the walls watered?
The panels are designed to allow water flow from
cell to cell within each panel and then from panel
to panel in a complete wall. For direct mount wall
installations we suggest installing a drip irrigation
line between every row of panels depending on the
micro climate of the installation. Please contact
us for suggested guidelines. |
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How much water do the walls need?
The amount of water required is plant and climate
dependant but an average would be approx 2 liters
per panel per watering. Each cell has a water retention
area so that it holds water when it flows through
the panels. We always say keep an eye on your plants,
they will look sad if they need water. |
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What are the maintenance requirements?
The wall panels very little maintenance. With carefully
selected plants and proper irrigation they take
care of themselves. The only thing that may need
to be done is the odd trimming of dead leaves or
fertilizing, or adding plants as necessary if replacements
are needed. It is very similar to house or garden
plants in that way. |
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What happens to my living wall in the winter?
For outdoor applications only this depends on your
geographical location, climate and the plants selected.
Some sedum species are evergreen and will turn a
shade of maroon in the winter but will then return
to their green color as soon as spring appears.
Some grasses will go dormant and look brown all
winter but then will regenerate from the centre
of the plant, turning green again in the spring.
In some of the warmer climates the plants survive
all year round. Of course in some of our extreme
cold climates the plants will recess into the cells
of the panels to come back out again in the spring
just as perennials do in the garden. To avoid this
you can also plant all season evergreen plants in
our panels if you use extensions. For indoor use
they are just beautiful all year round. |
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Can I install ELT Easy Green Living walls
on my own?
Yes we have customers who do this all of the time!
We give great advice by phone or email and have
instructional brochures in every shipment and on
the website. |
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Why are our living walls considered sustainable?
Each Living Wall Panel has 45 individual cells with
a small water reservoir; there is no need for constant
irrigation. In average they are irrigated only once
per week. Other technologies such as hydroponic
mats require constant irrigation (more consumption
of water and energy). Once the panels are planted
and the plants are established they require very
little maintenance and the plants don't need to
be replaced all of the time. The panels are designed
to last. If you need to do any maintenance the panels
can be removed and reused. The panels are made from
50% recycled HDPE and are 100% recyclable. |
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What is the warranty coverage of the panels?
The panels have a manufacturer's warranty for 15
years. They are manufactured with UV protection
for extra life expectancy. |
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If I am doing a direct wall installation
what do I need to have prepared?
You will need to waterproof the area that will house
the living wall panels and irrigation controllers.
You will also need a water source and electrical
outlet brought to the wall and a drain detail at
the bottom of the wall. |
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What size irrigation line do we use for
direct wall installations?
We run a 4mm line horizontally across the panels
with 1 emitter per panel. We would recommend installation
lines every 1 row. These lines are generally fed
by a 13mm supply line. |
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What kind of light do I need for my living
wall?
It is best to locate your wall where it will receive
some natural light. Otherwise you can augment with
artificial if necessary. The most important thing
is to specify plants that will survive where you
are planting them. There are some species that survive
very well for instance in low light. Others require
more light. Talk to the plant experts or refer to
the suggestions on our website. |
| If you have a question that has not been answered
here please email us at info@verticalplantscapes.co.nz |
|
| GREEN ROOFS |
What are the benefits of green roofs?
There are so many benefits that can be felt with
green roofs. The following are just a few examples:
Green roofs conserve energy by insulating the building
envelope, reducing the need for heating in the winter
and cooling in the summer. They also extend a roof's
life by protecting the membrane and create biodiversity
conservation opportunities. They absorb and filter
storm water which reduces local water body pollution
and helps prevent the overload of municipal storm
water infrastructure. Green roofs also filter air
particulates, improving air quality and help to
reduce the urban heat island effect (UHI). |
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What is the weight of ELT Easy Green- Green
Roof System?
Our pre-grown extensive systems range from 49k saturated
per square metre depending on your climate and depth
of the panels ordered. The soil depth is specified
in accordance with the plants used and the microclimate
of the project. The intensive roofs generally start
at 150k and higher depending on the plants used. |
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What plants do you use?
Our ELT Easy Green extensive pre-grown system uses
a variety of sedum species specially chosen to thrive
in your climate. Sedum are chosen for their drought
tolerance and hardiness and the species used vary
depending on the hardiness zone and the type of
project. With our planted in place and intensive
systems there are many plant choices. We like to
use Native plants & sedum whenever possible
and we also use a variety of perennials, shrubs
and grasses. There are many types of plants that
can be grown on the all in one system. The factors
that will affect your choices are your climate zone,
irrigation supply, budget, exposure, and load bearing
capacity. Our talented designers can help you choose
the plants that are right for you. |
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What are the maintenance requirements of
the 3 types of Green Roofs?
Pre-grown extensive roofs require very little maintenance
as the plants are fully mature and hardy upon delivery.
Generally 4 maintenance visits are required per
year. The planted in place extensive roofs require
more maintenance for the first 2 years during the
plant establishment period and then become low maintenance
like the pre-grown in the following years. The intensive
roofs require the most maintenance. Maintenance
visits are dependant upon design. Although most
sedum and other properly selected perennials can
survive an extended period without irrigation, it
is advisable to install a simple auto control drip
line irrigation system with every green roof. The
water wicking capabilities of our system spreads
the water out over the roof in a very efficient
manner. making irrigation times very minimal. The
irrigation system provides moisture as required
during periods of drought. With the changes in our
climate there are extended drought periods in most
areas and plants all require water to survive. Irrigation
is included in the Vertical Plantscape quotations.
For an idea of the maintenance requirements for
your particular project please email info@verticalplantscapes.co.nz
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What is the cost of an extensive green roof?
Pre-grown extensive roofs can be installed from
$220 + gst per square metre for commercial installations
and $238 + gst and installation for flat residential
roofs. The planted in place and extensive roofs
range in price dependant on growth medium depth
and plants used. The price also varies based on
the size of the project and depending on the details
on the roof. A typical quote will include propagation
into the panels, delivery, installation and 1 year
maintenance. Please contact sales@verticalplantscapes.co.nz
if you would like a quote on installing a green
roof. |
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How far in advance should I order my green
roof?
Please contact sales@verticalplantscapes.co.nz
to check stock levels in your area of our Pre-grown
extensive panels. The planted in place system has
a fairly quick turnaround time and is installed
by using plant plugs which we grow at well experienced
grower nurseries. After discussing the details of
your installation with one of our project managers,
Vertical Plantscapes can outline the time lines
needed for your green roof installation. |
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Is my roof more likely to leak with a green
roof on it?
This is one of the most misunderstood issues surrounding
green roofing. A green roof must be installed over
a roof that has a waterproofing membrane that is
in excellent condition. Green roofs are not meant
to fix a leaky roof. In effect your green roof actually
lives about an inch above the roof allowing water
to drain off normally. With a high quality waterproof
membrane your roof is extremely well protected against
leaks and it has been shown that adding a green
roof can actually more than double the life of your
membrane or more. This is possible because the roof
is protected from damaging UV rays as well as the
constant heating and cooling cycles which cause
expansion and contraction leading to cracks in your
membrane over time. Not to mention the cushioning
that a green roof provides against hail and falling
debris that could otherwise damage your waterproofing. |
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What is the maximum slope that you can install
a green roof on?
We recommend using Pre-grown ELT Easy Green™
roof panels on slopes up to 25%. The pre-grown panels
have plants that are already rooted into the hemp
bio-blanket which holds the growth medium in place
as well as the plants. We would use our living wall
panels for roofs over 25% slope right up to vertical
applications. Now there is no slope that cannot
be greened. |
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What happens to my green roof in the winter?
This depends on your location and the plants selected.
The majority of sedum are evergreen and will turn
a shade of maroon in the winter but will then return
to their green colour as soon as spring appears.
Some grasses will go dormant and look brown all
winter but then will regenerate from the centre
of the plant, turning green again after the first
few warm spring rains. Other perennials will do
just as they do in your garden. Please contact info@verticalplantscapes.co.nz
for info on plants over wintering in your climate.
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How is a green roof affected by wind uplift?
Each project is unique presenting different wind
uplift problems in different locations. After a
wind analysis of the building is done to see high
wind uplift areas, a fastening plan can be designed.
This may be as simple as additional ballast in the
form of river rock or paving stones around the perimeter
or could even involve point loading deeper depths
of substrate over beams or columns. All of these
solutions can be custom designed to create a beautiful
planted berm or paver edge detail that will both
resist wind uplift as well as contribute to the
overall aesthetics on the roof. For sloped and flat
roofs without parapets there are a variety of mechanical
fasteners that can be implemented around the perimeter
that provide a nice clean edge but also securely
fasten the green roof to the structure, all without
impeding drainage off the edge. |
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Are there funding options available for
my green roof?
We recommend you contacting your local councils
as these are still to be implemented in New Zealand.
We are being left behind! |
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Can I install a green roof on my own?
We have recently developed a Do It Yourself Green
Roof system with either pre-grown or plant-in-place
panels. We will be offering this to customers in
the form of a custom green roof kit. You will need
to supply us with the dimensions of your roof and
we will provide you with all the different components
you need to make it green! Contact sales@verticalplantscapes.co.nz
for more info on this option. |
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Can I grow trees and bushes and roses and
vegetables in my green roof?
If your roof can support the added weight of the
soil and plants when fully saturated and fully grown,
then yes. More times than anything the load limit
of a structure is what determines what plants can
be grown on the roof. If the building is a new construction
then these larger loads can be designed into the
structure from the beginning allowing for more planting
options.
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How long does it take to install my green
roof?
Most residential projects can be installed within
a few days. Most commercial installations can take
up to one week due to generally larger roof sizes.
The installation process with the ELT Easy Green™
all in one roof system available from Vertical Plantscapes
makes for one of the quickest installations available.
Installation time will depend on size and detail
of project. |
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Have a question you would like answered contact
info@verticalplantscapes.co.nz
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