Vegetated Roof Systems from Cell-Tek Geosynthetics Grow Green and Save Green

ALEXANDRIA, Va.--(Business Wire)--
Roofs are now going green and taking our nation by storm. Many building owners
and homeowners are replacing standard roof shingles with Cell-Tek's stabilizer
grid and vegetation in order to reduce their carbon footprint and enjoy
significant savings in their heating and cooling bills. Vegetated green roofs
offer many earth conscious advantages.

A roof is considered "green" when covered with soil and vegetation. Although the
concept of green roofs has been around for centuries, they`re growing in their
popularity in our green world. Consider its advantages - energy reduction,
reduced storm water runoff, reduced heat island effect, increased habitat area,
extended roof life and let`s not forget its sheer beauty. A standard dark
colored roof`s temperature is about 175°F compared to a living roof where the
temperature reduces to a mere 95°F. This drastic reduction in the roof
temperature can ultimately reduce heating costs up to 25% and cooling costs up
to 50%.

In the past, green roofs have been primarily constructed on flat rooftops often
in urban environments. Gravity, vertical wind uplift and erosion problems
prevented building owners with sloped or pitched roofs from installing a green
roof. Recently, a resident in Alexandria, VA approached Capitol Green Roofs for
a living roof on their recent addition. The challenge presented to Greg from
Capitol Green Roofs was their uniquely designed arched roof. Greg teamed up with
Cell-Tek Geosynthetics from Crofton, MD, who manufactures a recycled stabilizer
grid system designed specifically for this application.

"There are various challenges when dealing with a sloped or pitched roof," says
Gregory Long, Design Director at Capitol Green Roofs. "Cell-Tek`s System solved
my concerns with soil migration and wind erosion. It even allowed me to ensure
an even coverage of soil throughout the roof."

The contractor who installed the green roof removed the existing shingles on the
addition and laid down a rubber waterproofing membrane to protect the roof and
prevent any water leakage into the house. The next layer was a geo-textile
drainage mat followed by the Cell-Tek 3" depth cellular confinement system. The
system is then secured to the roof by tendons to prevent any slippage.
Afterwards, the cells were filled with topsoil. The finishing touch was a
pre-vegetated sedum mat and the end result was a beautiful living roof for this
homeowner.

Cell-Tek Geocellular Confinement Systems are made with ultrasonically-welded,
100% recycled HDPE strips that are easily expanded to form a honeycomb-like grid
which is then filled with gravel, soil or aggregate. Cell-Tek products are used
in construction and landscaping for load support, earth retention, erosion
control, channel revetment, slope protection and now green roofs.

Cell-Tek Geosynthetics
Chris Redding, 410-721-4844

Copyright Business Wire 2009