Green Roofs

Arcosa Lightweight’s expanded shale and clay aggregates are an essential component for creating efficient, lightweight, and sustainable green roof systems.

Whether for extensive or intensive green roofs, Arcosa’s aggregates provide the optimal balance of structural support, water management, and plant growth, helping urban environments manage heat, reduce stormwater runoff, and promote biodiversity.

Key Benefits

Arcosa Lightweight aggregates provide a lightweight, high-performance solution for green roof media, offering superior water retention, efficient drainage, and reduced structural load while promoting sustainable plant growth.

Lightweight Composition

Green roofs require materials that minimize structural load.

Arcosa’s lightweight aggregates are approximately half the weight of traditional soils, allowing for easier installation and reducing the need for costly structural reinforcements. This makes them an ideal solution for both new construction and retrofitting existing roofs.

Water Retention and Drainage

Arcosa Lightweight aggregates feature a highly porous structure.

This not only retains moisture but also allows excess water to drain efficiently. This dual ability helps plants thrive during dry periods while preventing waterlogging and reducing the pressure on urban stormwater systems.

Environmental Sustainability

Green roofs are a critical tool in reducing the urban heat island effect and improving air quality.

Arcosa’s aggregates contribute to this by supporting plant life that naturally cools rooftop surfaces. Additionally, the aggregates are eco-friendly, produced with minimal energy, and help promote urban biodiversity by creating suitable habitats for insects and birds.

Featured Case Studies

Arcosa Lightweight Enables High-Performance Green Roofs

Green roofs are rapidly becoming essential elements of urban infrastructure, driven by city mandates and sustainability targets in places like New York City (NYC) and Washington, DC.

Efficient Green Roof Media Placement at Long Island City Project

High above Long Island City, New York, a cutting-edge green roof installation is quietly reshaping the skyline. On the 14th floor of a newly constructed residential building, an innovative method for placing specialized growing media is transforming a bare rooftop into a lush urban oasis.

Green Roof Excellence: Nashville Music City Center

The Nashville Music City Center, a sprawling convention center and public venue, brings an innovative green space to downtown Nashville, rising five stories above the city’s streets. Built in 2012 and LEED Gold certified, the center includes a 191,000-square-foot green roof, enhancing both sustainability and urban aesthetics in Nashville.

Promotes Plant Health

The aggregates retain water and nutrients, slowly releasing them back to plants over time, ensuring they have the necessary resources for sustained growth, even in arid conditions.

Facilitates Stormwater Management

The aggregates allow for efficient water infiltration and reduce runoff during heavy rainfall, contributing to the building’s stormwater management strategy.

Minimizes Structural Load

Their lightweight nature reduces the overall weight of the green roof, making them a cost-effective solution for retrofitting projects.

Why Choose Arcosa Lightweight for Green Roofs?

Proven Performance: Arcosa Lightweight aggregates have been used successfully in some of the largest and most iconic green roof projects across the country. Their proven ability to reduce structural load, manage stormwater, and support healthy vegetation makes them the go-to choice for architects and engineers.
Expert Support: With decades of experience, Arcosa offers in-depth technical support and consulting for designing and implementing green roof systems using lightweight aggregates. Our team is available to help ensure your project meets all performance and sustainability goals.
Sustainability Commitment: Arcosa is committed to producing eco-friendly, sustainable materials that help reduce the environmental impact of urban development. Using our lightweight aggregates not only reduces a building’s environmental footprint but also contributes to long-term ecological health in urban areas.

Ask our Expert: 1-800-342-LITE

Paul Altznauer, with 28 years of experience in the green industry and a degree in horticulture, brings a blend of practical expertise and academic knowledge to his work. Passionate about plants and environmental sustainability, he excels in areas such as landscape design, plant cultivation, and eco-friendly gardening practices.

Green Roofs