Kristin's Back Porch

Corrie helped Kristin design a green roof using erosion control bags to create a living planting box on top of Kristin's back porch. See the slideshow here.

Dan's Chicken Coop Pictures

Dan's Chicken Coop Narrative

I've had VERY little work to maintain this roof. Watered it for week. Pulled weeks twice over the summer.

I planted it in early May with about an even mix of store bought sedum and plugs from our gardens. I put in 4 creeping phlox, 2 of which are completely fried, and 2 of which will be by the end of next summer. There are two plants I know little about on the roof. One is a sun fern in the upper right, but it seems to be doing well (looks better in person). The other is the white stuff in the front center - don't know what it is, but it grows well between our sidewalk and fence in 1/2 sun. Seems to thrive on the roof.

The roof is 3/4" painted plywood surrounded by 2/10 treated painted lumber. I attached them together with L brackets and the roof just sits on the coop via gravity. Survived the tornado, so it must be secure!

I got rubber from Bob Durfey and attached that with caulk - non-silicon. You can see the caulk along the edges. I nailed the edges of the rubber down with some roofing nails I had laying around and tried to seal it with the caulk (mentioned above). I don't recommend this method - I'd pony up for the metal flashing if I had to do it over.

I drilled 2 holes in the bottom corners for drainage with a hole saw (1 5/8", maybe?). Can't see it here, but it has 2 pvc sink extension drains coming through the holes - they cost a buck or two at a home or hardware store. I cut them off at the bottom of the fascia board and put 2 old Lake Street pavers below to avoid erosion. I wanted to put chain drains on, but the kids would most certainly tear them off.

Other than that, got the drainage layer and sediment barrier from you. Had a few old gunny sacks for erosion control held down with rocks and bricks. The growing medium I got from the place in Elk River.

The chickens seem to like it. They aren't allowed on the roof since they like to dig.

-Dan

Chris and Corrie build a green roof in Grand Marais

Solutions Twin Cities Video

See Corrie and Chris build a green roof in Seven Minutes.

Living Green Expo 09 Video

Now you can see our exciting slide show and lecture without finding parking on the State Fairgrounds. Lecture Me

Sign up for our Google Group

If you are planning a green roof project, you may want to consider joining our Google Group. This is an e-mail list of about 65 people who are also planning green roof projects, or have already completed them.

This should be a great place to post questions about design, materials, installation or maintenance. If you are stuck, it is quite possible that someone else has encountered the same problem and may have the solution.

Join here.