Green roof

Success story

FedEx Cargo Main Sort Building

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Our vegetation mats helped the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) build the world’s largest freestanding green roof at an airport – and the biggest in the city.

16,200 m2

green roof

7.6m

litres of water runoff saved

Big plans for a big roof

The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) is flying high as a green leader. As part of its Sustainable Airport Manual (SAM), it planned to build a vegetated roof on the ORD FedEx Main Sort Building at O’Hare Airport. The system needed to save energy and water runoff, be easy to maintain, and use drought-resistant plants that wouldn’t attract wildlife. It also couldn’t contain any foreign object debris (FOD), which can damage aircraft and vehicles.

Creating a safe and sturdy green space

Our Xeroflor system added 16,200m2 of green space to the airport. Filled with flowering sedum, the pre-vegetated mats beautify the airport and promote diversity. Xeroflor has proven itself on other large-scale projects, with a significantly longer performance track record than other North American green roof companies. It’s also one of the few systems tested and certified for wind resistance, while its wind uplift resistance reduces the risk of FOD. The low-profile plants used in the mats attract only small birds, rather than large varieties which create a bird strike hazard, so there’s no danger to airport operations. With maintenance in mind, we only chose self-generating, heat- and drought-tolerant plants.

PARTNER

Xero Flor America

LOCATION

Chicago, IL, USA

APPLICATION

Green Roof Drain

Pre-vegetated Mat Systems

Vegetation Carrier

Flying high

The green roof at O’Hare stops around 7.6 million litres of stormwater runoff going down the drain each year. It also retains 70-90% of precipitation in summer (25-40% in winter), and cuts cooling costs. Better still, the green roof makes the air cleaner, removing around 32,400kg of airborne particulates each year.  And with a lifespan of up to 50 years, it will be a long-lasting attraction for millions of passengers who visit Chicago – the ‘green roof capital’ of the United States.

PRODUCTS USED ON THIS PROJECT

XF Grow

XF Grow vegetation carriers are the leading growing medium for pre-vegetated mats for green roofs.

VIEW PRODUCT
AREAS OF APPLICATION

Green Roof Drain

An effective green roof drainage mat is critical for a successful installation, and brings environmental benefits.

Pre-vegetated Mat Systems

Stabilises green roofs – no need for hydromulch or wind netting, and you have flowers and foliage all year round.

Vegetation Carrier

Vegetation carriers support seedlings, stabilise the soil and minimise erosion, and you can harvest them in rolls.

SPEAK TO AN EXPERT 

IN Europe
  • Europe
  • Asia
  • North America

Contact our team with any questions about your green roofs projects.

CONTACT US NOW

REQUEST A PRODUCT SAMPLE

We'd be delighted to arrange the delivery of a product sample, to help with your project planning.

REQUEST A SAMPLE
SPEAK TO AN EXPERT

Please complete the form below and we will contact you shortly.

REQUEST A SAMPLE

Please complete the form below and we will contact you shortly about your sample request.

SENDING YOU TO Mehgies

MEHGIES® is a premium brand of Low & Bonar.

Click here to stay on Low & Bonar Green Roofs website.

SENDING YOU TO adfil

Adfil® is a premium brand of Low & Bonar.

Click here to stay on Low & Bonar Green Roofs website.