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  • Per diem lookup
Buy through us
Explore buy through us
Category management
Government property for sale or lease
Personal property (tangible goods)
Real property (real estate and buildings) for public use
Real property sales
Vehicle sales
Products and services
Human capital
Industrial products and services
Office management
Professional services
Security and protection
Transportation and logistics services
Purchasing programs
Assisted acquisition
Commercial platforms
Federal strategic sourcing initiative
Fleet management
HCaTS and HCaTS SB
OASIS and OASIS SB
Requisition programs
State and local programs
Emergency acquisition basic ordering agreements
Shared services
Payroll services
Support services for CABs
Sell to government
Explore sell to government
Step 1: Learn about government contracting
Ways you can sell to government
How to access contract opportunities
Conduct market research
Step 2: Compete for a contract
Register your business
Certify as a small business
Become a schedule holder
Market your business
Research active solicitations
Respond to a solicitation
What to expect during the award process
Step 3: Manage your contract
Comply with contractual requirements
Handle contract modifications
Monitor past performance evaluations
Real estate
Explore real estate
Design and construction
3D-4D building information modeling
Computer-aided design standards
Engineering
Project management information system
Prospectus thresholds
Facilities management
Security
Tenant services
Water quality management
Our properties
Owned and leased properties
Regional buildings
Renting property
Real estate services
GSA lease inventory
Real property disposal
Reimbursable services (RWA)
For businesses seeking opportunities
For workers in federal buildings
Voice of the customer
Workplace optimization
Commercial coworking
Federal coworking
Space Match
Explore historic buildings
Policy and regulations
Explore policy and regulations
Acquisition management policy
Aviation management policy
Information technology policy
Real property management policy
Relocation management policy
Travel management policy
Vehicle management policy
Regulations
Federal acquisition regulations
Federal management regulations
Federal travel regulations
Small business
Explore small business
Small business goals
Register your business
Explore business models
Research the federal market
Subcontracting and other partnerships
Forecast of contracting opportunities
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Plan a trip
Per diem rates
Transportation (airfare rates, POV rates, etc.)
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Federal travel regulation
Technology
Explore technology
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Government initiatives
Artificial Intelligence
Cybersecurity
Emerging citizen technology
FedRAMP
Federal identity, credentials, and access management
Robotic process automation community
Technology modernization fund
Training
About us
Explore about us
Background and history
Overview
Mission and strategic goals
Role in presidential transitions
Careers
Get an internship
Launch your career
Elevate your professional career
Discover special hiring paths
Resources and related links
Events and training
Events, training, and request a speaker
Our training programs
Newsroom
Agency blog
Congressional testimony
GSA does that podcast
News releases
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Organization
Leadership directory
Federal Acquisition Service
Public Buildings Service
Staff offices
Regions
Region 1 | New England
Region 2 | Northeast and Caribbean
Region 3 | Mid-Atlantic
Region 4 | Southeast Sunbelt
Region 5 | Great Lakes
Region 6 | Heartland
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Region 8 | Rocky Mountain
Region 9 | Pacific Rim
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Contact us
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  6. Green Roofs

Green Roofs

image
US Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, D.C.

Green roofs — also known as ‘vegetated roofs’ or ‘living roofs’ — are ballasted roofs consisting of a waterproofing membrane, growing medium (soil) and vegetation (plants) overlying a traditional roof. Well-designed, engineered and maintained green roofs provide multiple environmental, social, economic and aesthetic benefits.

GSA, which currently maintains nearly 2 million square feet of green roofs, has a long history of constructing and maintaining successful green roofs, dating back to the 1930’s. Information about green roofs at GSA can be found on the agency’s Green Roof Tracker. More guidance and information about green roofs can be found at SF Tool.

Examples of GSA buildings with green roofs include:

  • Social Security Administration (New Bedford, MA)
  • NOAA Satellite Operations Center (Suitland, MD)
  • US Coast Guard HQ (Washington, DC)

GSA green roof report

Full report: The Benefits and Challenges of Green Roofs on Public and Commercial Buildings [PDF - 9 MB]

This report, commissioned by the Office of Federal High Performance Green Buildings, includes a literature review of 200 research studies, in-depth analysis of green roof benefits, an original cost-benefit analysis, discussion of challenges and best practices, and assessment of further research needs.

Benefits of well-designed, well-maintained green roofs

The benefits section of the report includes:

  • Stormwater Management: Most urban and suburban areas contain large amounts of paved or constructed surfaces which prevent stormwater from being absorbed into the ground. The resulting excess runoff damages water quality by sweeping pollutants into water bodies. Green roofs can reduce the flow of stormwater from a roof by up to 65% and delay the flow rate by up to three hours.
  • Energy: Green roofs reduce building energy use by cooling roofs and providing shading, thermal mass and insulation.
  • Biodiversity and Habitat: Green roofs provide new urban habitat for plants and animals, like birds and insects, thereby increasing biodiversity.
  • Urban Heat Islands: Cities are generally warmer than other areas, as concrete and asphalt absorb solar radiation, leading to increased energy consumption, heat-related illness and death, and air pollution. Green roofs can help reduce this effect.
  • Roof Longevity: Green roofs are expected to last twice as long as conventional roofs
  • Aesthetics: Green roofs can add beauty and value to buildings.

Green roof cost benefit analysis

Green surface with grass and plants, with building in background
10 West Jackson Street, Chicago, IL

The report includes the cost benefit analysis for green roofs as well, and offers data including:

  • GSA green roof report estimated that green roofs on commercial and public buildings provide a payback, based on 50 year average annual savings, of about 6.2 years nationally, internal rate of return of 5.2%, and an ROI of 224%, based on a net present value of $2.7/square foot.
  • Primary green roof costs are related to installation and maintenance.
  • Primary economic benefits of installing green roofs are lower energy costs, less frequent roof replacement due to greater durability, reduced stormwater management costs, and creation of job opportunities.

Best practices for green roof construction and maintenance

The report discusses best practices in detail on topics, including:

  • Ensuring a building can structurally support a green roof
  • Quality installation and leak prevention
  • Maintenance requirements to avoid plant loss and other problems
  • Installing green roofs on historic buildings

Future green roof research needs

The report outlines research needs, including:

  • Stormwater and storm dynamics, field monitoring and computer simulation
  • Long-term stormwater and energy performance
  • Establishing native plants and creating habitat for endangered fauna on green roofs
  • A thorough comparison between green and white (reflective) roofs
  • Interaction between green roofs and solar panels
  • Economics of rooftop agriculture
  • Air quality improvements associated with green roofs

Visit SFTool.gov for more information on green roofs.

SF Tool: Green Roofs Page

Sustainable Facilities Tool

See green roofs guidance, information & tips on the SF Tool.

Green Roof Facts

Green Roofs can:

  • Reduce the stormwater runoff rate from a roof by up to 65%
  • Make roof surfaces 30-40% cooler
  • Reduce heat flux from roof to building by up to 72%
  • Last 40 years or more
  • Attract such wildlife as birds, bees and spiders

Additional Resources

Green Roofs: Benefits, Costs, Challenges & Opportunities: 
Summary of GSA’s green roof report and its findings, from a presentation to the 2011 GreenGov Conference in Washington, DC: 
Green Roofs: Benefits, Costs, Challenges & Opportunities 

US EPA Green Roofs: 
www.epa.gov/heatislands/using-green-roofs-reduce-heat-islands 
The US Environmental Protection Agency provides information on green roofs as part of its Heat Island Mitigation program.

National Park Service: 
Installing Green Roofs on Historic Buildings 
www.nps.gov/tps/standards/applying-rehabilitation/its-bulletins/ITS54-GreenRoofs.pdf 
As part of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, the National Park Service provides guidance on how to properly install green roofs on historic buildings.

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Last updated: Jun 4, 2021
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