Forums > Specific Focus > Home, Garden & Construction in Mexico

ebesan

Apr 20, 2009, 12:21 PM

Post #1 of 6 (1862 views)

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green roofs

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I am looking for info on construction and viability of adding a green
roof to a house in the Yucatan, Mexico.
It is a very hot, low-lying, sometimes rainy area.
New construction tends toward block and precast; both of which are
terrible there; they quickly absorb heat, but do not hold it.
What sort of soil mixture would I need there?
How strong does the roof need to be?
Sealant?
Got to remember that the building trades there are often rudimentary.
sammy in ny

Rolly / Moderator

Apr 20, 2009, 12:50 PM

Post #2 of 6 (1857 views)

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Re: [ebesan] green roofs

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Your problem is less the weight of a few inches of dirt than it is the weight of the water that will be retained in the dirt.

If you are building new, you can plan for that weight, but if you are thinking of using an existing structure, you will need expert on-site advice from an engineer. Proceed with care.

If you do it, please come back to tell us how it went.

Rolly

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
This is a good time to be living in Mexico.
A clean house is the sign of a broken computer.

ebesan

Apr 20, 2009, 12:54 PM

Post #3 of 6 (1855 views)

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Re: [ebesan] green roofs

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you are right.
the drainage is not only a structural issue, but a good potential source of gray water.
sammy in ny

barbaroja

Apr 21, 2009, 7:26 AM

Post #4 of 6 (1828 views)

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Re: [ebesan] green roofs

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There is a green building company in San Miguel called 'Tierra y Cal'. They work in all kinds of green building technologies - their specialty is Compressed Earth Block(CEB). I was recently at their demonstration site outside San Miguel where they are building a CEB house with an earth roof. It isn't finished yet but when I was there the owner told me he had consulted with an earth roof specialist and engineers to figure out how to build it. You may want to contact Jim Hallock at Tierra y Cal to see if he can give you some advice.

http://www.tierraycal.com/index-eng.htm

Barba Roja
http://www.mapaverdesanmiguel.org/

perm2009

Jun 25, 2009, 1:49 PM

Post #5 of 6 (1579 views)

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Re: [Rolly] green roofs

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Rolly, good advice regarding the structure of the building when adding a green roof to an existing or new building. Kudos!
structural soil , green roofs

sparks

Jun 25, 2009, 7:33 PM

Post #6 of 6 (1552 views)

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Re: [ebesan] green roof

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Is this a politically correct choice or is there a real reason for a 'green roof'. If all you want is insulation .... why not foam

Sparks Mexico - Sparks Costalegre