Grow Your Business with Rooftop Gardening

From neighborhood restaurants to corporate-owned sports arenas, rooftop gardens are cropping up atop businesses nationwide. Why are these businesses literally going green? Because it pays in so many ways…

What Significant, Yet Untapped, Green Roof Benefits Could Your Business Reap?
Sewing a new path with a green roof can:

1. Save your business significant energy costs, cutting heat loss by 50%, shielding up to 88% of solar radiation and reducing AC costs as much as 25%.
2. Lower urban air temperatures and improve air quality.
3. Reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change.
4. Reduce flash flooding, containing and repurposing water, and improving the quality of runoff.
5. Reduce noise infiltration up to 40 db.
6. Provide a habitat for wildlife that has been threatened by urban sprawl.
7. Provide food for your restaurant, employees, or the community. 
8. Add valuable, usable space for guests and employees to enjoy.
9. Improve employee engagement and productivity.
10. Add curb appeal, drawing positive attention to your business, and turning it into a landmark.

A Look at Some Real Numbers
How much are businesses really saving from rooftop gardens? In 2001, Chicago’s City Hall was topped with 20,000 square feet of intensive and extensive vegetation. In August of the same year, researchers noted a rooftop temperature of 119°F atop the planted area, compared to the 169°F inferno registered on the black tar roof next door. In the time span from 2001 to 2008, the city saved an estimated $3,600 in annual cooling and heating costs. Today, Green Projects Administrator Michael Berkshire says the city’s green roof addition saves them $5,000/year on utility costs.  If all the city’s roofs were similarly topped, officials believe peak energy demand could be reduced 720 megawatts (enough current for 750,000 consumers), and the load on the storm sewer system reduced about 70%. The city is now topping everything from offices to fire stations with greenery. Other big cities are following suit, including recent legislation by Denver to require green roofs on large new buildings.

What Types of Greenery are Topping City Skylines?
Common approaches to green roofing include:

●        Container Gardens
The easiest approach involves the use of containers and raised beds, holding everything from herbs and veggies to ornamental flowers and shrubs. 

●        Semi-Intensive Green Roofs
Semi-intensive green roofs require more maintenance, but offer more flexibility of use. Planted with grass, ground covers and small shrubs, they will require occasional irrigation and maintenance, but are a great foundation for turning your rooftop into usable, natural square footage.

●        Intensive Green Roofs
Intensive green roofs hold a wider variety of vegetation, from grass, plants, shrubs and edibles, to small trees. Selection effects maintenance/irrigation. Properly planned and designed, it can provide a complete, stunning garden for guests/staff to relax.

●        Sedum Green Roofs
Sedum green roofs, though low-maintenance, aren’t made to be walked on. Rolled-out like a carpet, this roof is made of fragile succulents.

●        Biodiverse Roofing
The least common, biodiverse or ‘brown’ roofing is not typically constructed for pedestrian traffic, but to create a natural habitat for wildlife.

How to Build a Green Roof Space that’s User-Friendly & Safe
No matter which greenery you prefer, ensure rooftop garden success by seeking answers to the following questions:

1. Are rooftop gardens allowed?
   First, contact your city (and district leaders if your building is historical) to determine if building codes allow a rooftop garden/green roof system.
2. Can your existing roof handle the load?
   Contact a structural engineer to determine the precise weight your current roof can carry. Soil, plants, and people can easily top 100-lbs/sq.ft. Saturated with rain/snow, they could be too much for the current structure. An engineer can advise you of workarounds and costs.
3. Do you have access?
   How will you get materials and people in/out? Some cities require multiple entries/exits, emergency lighting, and fire alarms.
4. How will you water?
   Hauling cans isn’t practical. However a rain barrel and drip irrigation may work if you don’t want to simply run a hose.
5. Will you add electrical?
   Electricity makes life easier, allowing for safe passage and extending the times you will be able to use your rooftop garden.
6. Where will you store tools?
   Maintenance tools, fertilizer, and compost take up space and are difficult to camouflage roof side. Options like bench seating and tables with storage can help.
7. How much sun do you get rooftop?
   Do other building block out the sun? At what times of day? The plants chosen must reflect daily sun levels to ensure survival.
8. How hot is it?
   Ambient heat from neighboring buildings/surfaces can cook plants – and people. How will you provide shelter?
9. Do you need a windbreak?
   Strong winds can seriously injure plants.
10. How would you like to layout your rooftop garden?
    Use graph paper for scale, considering the general organization of plants, garden furniture and features.

Gardening Time: The Best Ways to Trim Your Rooftop Garden Space

●        Functional, Hardy Plants
Look to a landscape professional for help selecting the right species of greenery to achieve the results you desire. They can help you make the most of your space with vertical design (climbing vines, hanging baskets). A pro will also be more versed in plants friendly to the rooftop environment, growth tendencies (annuals vs. perennials; how large/quickly they grow), helping you ensure a lasting living design.

●        Flexible Furniture
Atop the roof, lightweight garden furniture is best for reducing the load on the roof. Foldable furniture may offer potential, as will double-duty furniture, such as plastic storage benches/tables. Create a focal point with your selections, deciding on a central gathering space. Be careful not to hide it with too many plants/decorations, and keep the color theme simple to avoid a ‘busy’ look.     

●        Lightweight, Versatile Shelter
The people and plants on your rooftop garden need shelter. However a heavy wooden pergola won’t do. Luckily the lightweight aluminum construction of an Arcadia adjustable louvered pergola can be installed easily, and is a common rooftop addition. Capable of withstanding hurricane force winds, the Arcadia is perfectly at-home high above the sky, providing sun, shade, and reliable shelter from rain/snow with rapidly responding, iLouver app technology and weather-responsive programming.  

There are Many Ways to Save on Your Commercial Rooftop Garden Installation
Depending on the greenery atop your roof, your business may be eligible for:

●        Stormwater fee discounts, due to reductions in runoff.

●        Energy efficiency discounts from your local utility provider.

●        Reduced HVAC costs. (Uncover how much with this free energy calculator from the Green Roofs for Healthy Cities Alliance)

●        Development incentives (expedited permitting, zoning upgrades, increased floor area ratios).

●        Grants for green infrastructure projects/practices.

●        Rebates: Federal and local tax credits, reimbursement, and funding/financing may also be available.

●        Awards and recognition, including monetary awards and free press, for exemplary projects.

●        See the EPA’s Green Infrastructure Incentives Handbook to learn more, or research case studies here

Who says you can’t enjoy Mother Nature in the city? Enjoy all the benefits your rooftop garden has to offer. Open up to new possibilities with the help of Denver Pergola Systems today.

This post was originally published at http://www.denverpergolas.com/grow-business-rooftop-gardening/

Outdoor Spaces Benefit Residents, Staff, Family of Elder Care Facilities

Save for the entryway, outdoor spaces in retirement communities, nursing, assisted living, and adult daycare facilities are typically an afterthought. A dreary, blank page with no meaning. Yet the unrealized potential of these areas offers a host of opportunities for residents and their families, as well as the staff and facilities operation. What’s more, outdoor features are sought-after by eldercare services consumers. In fact, residents and their families look to these features as marker of exemplary care.

How Can an Outdoor Space Benefit Your Elder Care Facility?

●        Residents

o   Independence, not isolation.
Beautiful outdoor spaces imbue a sense of freedom, rather than the feel of confinement many feel in elder care facilities.

o   Emotional support.
Engaging in outdoor settings boosts socialization, creating opportunities for residents and their families to form much-needed support networks.

o   Meaningful activity.
Passive interaction with outdoor spaces offers sensory stimulation, as well as allows residents to continue engaging in enjoyable activities, upholding a ‘homier,’ non-institutional feel.

o   Overall wellness.
As with ‘winter blues,’ inability to go outside if often associated with feelings of fatigue and depression. Both sensory stimulation outdoors and vitamin D from sunlight exposure support health, upholding hormonal balance and circadian rhythms, protecting health and enabling more stable moods.

●        Families

o   Improved morale.
Visiting with family members in an outdoor space, or simply enjoying the outdoors while an ailing family member rests, can reduce stress and provide a feeling of solace.

●        Staff

o   A positive work environment.
Access to nature supports a pleasant, positive work environment.

o   Meaningful activities.
Outdoor spaces can offer employees, like residents, natural spaces for walking, or simply a relaxing spot to enjoy a meal while further engaging socially with residents.

o   Enhanced productivity.
Happy, well-adjusted staff and residents make for a more productive environment.

●        Facilities

o   Improved use of space.
Creating outdoor areas between living quarters and public areas can remedy perceived feelings of crowding.

o   Opportunities for guests that don’t overburden staff.
From large, strategically-positioned windows to web-cam technology, opportunities abound that allow guests independence, yet curtail the need for staff to accompany residents.

Keys to Success in Adding an Outdoor Living Space to Your Senior Care Facility
Consider enlisting the help of a professional landscape architect in designing these aspects of your outdoor living space:

●        Appropriate entryways/exits.
Entryways/exits should be easily identifiable. Automatic glass doors offer convenient access. 
Enclosures/fences and access gates should be camouflaged to avoid feelings of containment and prevent guests from inadvertently leaving the grounds.

●        Clear, well-marked paths/areas.
Ensure smooth, level, continuous pathways leading back to building(s) comprised of stable materials to prevent slips/falls. Incorporate distinctive landmarks at critical junctions: Bright benches; water features; novelty signage. Add railings for safety/support/accessibility, ensuring a width of 6-ft minimum to accommodate couples and wheelchairs.

●        Colorful plants and structures.
Choose colorful plants/trees to help with orientation/independence. Fragrant foliage is a boon, aiding sensory stimulation. Non-toxicity is crucial for safety, with familiar regional plants preferred for sentimentality and to promote wildlife.

●        Nearby restroom and water access.
Inconveniently located facilities can deter residents.

●        Lighting
Multi-purpose lighting is integral for safety and security, allowing for a clear visual and extending the usable hours of outdoor space.

●        Flexible Design
Space(s) should be varied and flexible, with areas for solitude and activity. Activities should be displayed front-and-center to encourage guests to observe/join. Furniture should likewise be versatile and support both ventures, from ledges and benches to sofa sectional-style arrangements. Ample seating allows guests to rest when needed. Avoid conductive furnishings such as metal to prevent burns, and slatted furniture, which can be unstable.

●        Shelter & Shade
Shelter can encourage outdoor facilities use in those wary of venturing too far from the building. Shelter and shade are also crucial to any outdoor design for seniors, who are extremely temperature sensitive. Weather may also rapidly change, causing issues for meandering patrons. Flexible shelter, such as the Arcadia adjustable aluminum pergola, allows for greater use of space in changing weather. 170-degrees of louver rotation offers precise control, delivering just the right amount of sun, shade, or rain protection with built-in sensor technology that responds on-cue for guest comfort and safety.

●        Bells & Whistles
What other stunning additions might provide added enjoyment in your garden?

o   Motorized screens to prevent pests.

o   Cookout areas.

o   Patio heaters/gas fireplaces/fire pits.

o   Greenhouses or raised vegetable/flower beds, which offer easier access.

o   Outdoor TVs/projector screen equipment for movie nights.

What does the exterior of your senior care facility say about your business? Boost your business’ reputation and popularity. Discover the difference a well-executed outdoor living space can make for your residents, your staff, and your business. Contact Denver Pergola Systems today.

This post was originally published at http://www.denverpergolas.com/outdoor-spaces-benefit-residents-staff-family-elder-care-facilities/

Backyard Patio Design Ideas: How About a Kitchen?

Stuck inside in the bitter Denver cold? Why not put those outdoor daydreams to good use, planning for a revamped outdoor living space that’ll have you grilling garden-side and dining alfresco come spring?

Why an Outdoor Kitchen?
Today’s families gravitate toward outdoor entertaining, which offers a comfortable, relaxing place to cook while surrounded by family and friends. In addition, cooking outdoors not only keeps your house tidy with fast, simple clean-up, but keeps heat out of your home as well, reducing utility bills. What’s more, the National Association of Home Builders estimates outdoor kitchens can add as much 130% of their cost to your home’s purchase price. How’s that for a fantasy made reality?

Dream-Up an Outdoor Kitchen with All the Bells & Whistles

●        Built-In Grill with Smoker
A built-in grill can be the centerpiece of an outdoor kitchen, with the sleek looks of indoor kitchens and professional bells-and-whistles like a built-in rotisserie and smoker. Just be sure when incorporating your fantasy grill you don’t overlook reality: Building recommendations and clearances for safety, proximity to where children play, and placement away from other flammable outdoor features.

●        Outdoor Counters & Cabinets
Outdoor cabinetry and countertops can really pull-together that outdoor kitchen ‘look.’ Prep food and set tables with ease with the help of weather-friendly countertop and cabinetry additions. Installing your outdoor kitchen accoutrements along an exterior wall? This offers a great opportunity for the addition of upper cabinets. 

●        Sink
A sink in your outdoor kitchen requires a bit of added plumbing, but can make all the difference in the world, particularly when it comes to convenient meal prep and cleanup.

●        Refrigerator
From cold, frosty beverages to a convenient, safe place to store food, prevent your family from wearing a track to the indoor fridge with a small to full-sized outdoor refrigerator model. 

●        Lighting

For year-long outdoor dining and after-hours meal-prep, adequate lighting is key to safety. Let’s face it: You don’t want to end up chopping, slicing and cooking in the dark. Flexible LED lighting with dimmers offer temperature and weather safe mood lighting on lower settings, yet are brilliant enough to help you ensure safely cooked meats.  

●        Pergola
To prevent a kitchen that’s scorching in the summer, and weather-related dining and dashing,
add comfort and style to your space with an Arcadia adjustable pergola. Neither Denver’s blinding sun, nor frequent snow and rain showers will end your outdoor fun with the help of this fully-adjustable aluminum louvered pergola. Dial-in the perfect amount of sun or shade, or protect your party from leaks and rain with the Arcadia’s unique design. 170-degrees of pivoting flexibility with built-in gutters, and operable via remote control or smart device, ensuring year-round comfort is a breeze with this durable, low-maintenance pergola system.

●        Outdoor TV or Movie Projector Screen
Add fun and excitement with an outdoor TV or budget-friendly projector screen with portable movie projector. Watch the big game, or simply keep children entertained while tending to outdoor tasks.

●        Outdoor Heater
Overhead or wall-mounted, infrared patio heaters are an ideal outdoor heating solution. Heat is efficiently delivered from overhead, providing infrared warmth similar to the sun’s rays, offering the perfect solution for combatting the heat loss. Pair with privacy screens and curtains to boost performance and warmth.

●        Fireplace or Fire Pit
For those with a bigger budget who yearn for an outdoor space that beckons the family all year long, a gas fire pit or fireplace makes for a stunning focal point, drawing the household in with its warmth. Choose from traditionally-inspired gas fire pits with log inserts, modern linear tables with glass beds, or go all-out with the latest in see-through outdoor fireplace additions.

Ready to expand your living space with your dream outdoor kitchen design? Wake up and see the possibilities with the help of Denver Pergola Systems today.

This post was originally published at http://www.denverpergolas.com/backyard-patio-design-ideas-kitchen/

Everything You Need to Know about Adding a Covered Deck

Wishing you had a covered deck, feeling trapped inside your home as outdoor living opportunities pass you by? A cold, wet, lackluster outdoor space furnished with a shoddy fold out chair is far from enticing. Why not dive into the outdoors, adding a permanent deck with all the trimmings?

A Winning Outdoor Space Tops the ‘Must-Have’ List for Homeowners/Buyers
One of the most requested home renovation projects, families nationwide are craving a more fulfilling outdoor experience. A space where they can gather comfortably together to dine, watch movies, or gather around the glow of a warm fire. An outdoor spaced dressed out in the comforts of home.

How to Design the Best Deck for Your Outdoor Space
When designing your outdoor space, foundation is key. Your first consideration should be what lies under foot: Decking or a patio surface. Which is right for your home?

●        Deck
A raised platform constructed of wood or composite boards, a deck is an ideal way to deal with sloped surfaces, outdoor spaces that sit atop lower level structures like basements, or homes raised over 14-inches off the ground, such as crawl space homes. Which material is best for yours?

o   Wood
Wood is a traditional choice for decks, but requires attentive care to retain its natural beauty, including an annual spring pressure washing and oiling/resealing after pollen/leaves have fallen. Otherwise decking could look ugly and age quickly, drying, cracking, splintering, warping or rotting in as little as 5-years.

o   Composite
Newer composite, as opposed to its plasticky-predecessors, is now available in designs nearly identical to any species of wood you can imagine. Engineered from a combination of wood fibers and recycled plastic, it costs more than wood, but requires little maintenance, doesn’t stain or fade, and typically comes with a 20-25-year warranty.

●        Patio
Slab-home with a door that opens right at ground-level? A patio comprised of pavers, flagstone, or poured concrete may be better for you.

●        Combination Deck/Patio
Sloped or irregularly shaped lot, strange transition, or simply want a larger, multifaceted space? A combination may suit you best: Building a deck that steps down to a patio allows for an easier transition from the home, and maximizes outdoor space.

Ensuring Size
Determining how you want to use your deck will help you determine deck size. Research here is key. Too large a deck, and you’ll unnecessarily overspend. Too small, and you’ll be overcrowded and uncomfortable. Luckily online tools abound for everything from determining chair spacing to television distance from seating… So get Googling!

Ease of Access
Adding a deck to a region of your home without a doorway? You’ll need to add an entryway, which will add cost, particularly if the opening is in a load-bearing wall. If you’re using your outdoor space for dining, you’ll want this addition as close to your kitchen space as possible. Repeatedly running an obstacle course – or worse, stairs - to grab grill fare, sauces, and dining ware will get old fast. So don’t gloss-over the importance of accessibility in your design.

Determining Your Feature Creature Comforts
What do you most yearn for in your outdoor space? While most homeowners lean to a multipurpose area, with sections for cooking, eating and relaxing, when it comes to your space, the possibilities are as limitless as personalities. Consider these outdoor additions – there are typically options available for an array of budgets:

●        Lighting for safety and outdoor tasks

●        Outdoor TV or Projector Screen

●        Fireplace or Firepit

●        Kitchen/Grill or Bar

●        Hot Tub

●        Water Feature

All Done? Not So Fast! You Need Shelter
You’ll get far more use out of your dream deck with a shelter in place to combat Denver’s blinding sun and rapidly developing afternoon storms. Shelter will also safeguard the lifespan of your deck and deck furniture, protecting your investment. How can you enjoy the convenience of shelter and privacy without obstructing your view of the outdoor environment? Adjustable aluminum pergolas let you have it all, with 170-degrees of rotational flexibility to let you enjoy the outdoors, and remain there even when the inclement weather comes to rain on your parade, allowing you to extend your outdoor living season well into the fall and early spring. Operation is a breeze with the latest in smartphone-friendly iLouver app technology: Pre-program settings, or integrate with weather sensors for the ultimate in convenience.

Ready to up your outdoor game? A deck addition is a solid investment in your hard-won recreational time and the value of your home. In just a few weeks, before spring arrives, you could be well on your way to a more fulfilling outdoor experience. Learn how from Denver Pergolas today.

This post was originally published at http://www.denverpergolas.com/everything-need-know-adding-covered-deck/