Frequently Asked Questions
Preserved Moss Walls
What is a preserved moss wall?
Preserved moss walls are natural works of art that are maintenance free! Constructed from real moss that has been treated in a way that preserves the quality, as well as freshness, lasting for at least 9+ years without water or light. Think ‘plant taxidermy’ but using a food-safe glycerin process that preserves the soft texture and vibrant natural colors of the moss years after it has been harvested.
What are the benefits of preserved moss walls?
Aesthetic appeal: Preserved moss walls have limitless design possibilities, bringing a touch of Nature indoors and enhancing the visual appeal of any space. Green walls like these create a calming and soothing atmosphere and can serve as a unique focal point in interior design.
Zero-maintenance: Unlike living plants that need ongoing maintenance, preserved moss walls do not require any watering, light, or pruning, making them a convenient choice for those who want real natural indoor greenery but without the hassle.
Longevity: When situated in proper conditions (between 30 % - 60% humidity and out of direct sunlight), preserved moss walls can maintain their beauty and freshness for 9+ years, making them a durable and long-lasting option for bringing greenery into your space.
Sound absorption: Preserved moss walls absorb sounds to help to reduce excess noise in indoor spaces. Great applications are office moss walls and university moss walls.
What is the maintenance required for preserved moss walls?
Unlike living plants that need ongoing maintenance, preserved moss walls do not require any watering, light, or pruning, making them a convenient choice for those who want real natural greenery but without the hassle.
How long does a moss wall last?
Every supplier is different, but Urbanstrong’s line of preserved mosses have been proven to last 9+ years under the right environmental conditions, far longer than the industry norm (3-5 years).
Can you create custom logos, shapes, and patterns?
Absolutely! We encourage our clients to make the most out of their project and steer away from the typical square or rectangle monoculture (1 species, 1 color) aesthetic. Urbanstrong’s system is extremely flexible and can handle curves, wrap-around corners, and even be mounted to the ceiling! We also recommend incorporating company logos, neon lighting, phrasing, etc. to help bolster branding.
What is the lead time for a custom moss wall?
Depending on the design’s size and complexity, our typical lead time is anywhere from 3-7 weeks ARO.
Living Walls
What is a living wall?
A living wall (also known as a living plant wall, biophilia wall, green wall, or vertical garden) is a vegetative system installed in a vertical orientation mounted to a facade or free-standing structure, usually with an automated irrigation system incorporated. Living walls can be designed for interior or exterior applications.
What are the benefits of a living wall?
Living walls provide environmental, economic, and psychological benefits including: natural air purification and cooling, noise muffling and sound absorption, bolstering of company branding, increased productivity and creativity, improved feelings of health and well being, boosted occupant immunity and reduced stress levels, and potential to earn multiple credits in building rating systems like LEED and the WELL Building Standard.
What is the maintenance required for living walls?
Living walls require routine maintenance, including watering, pruning, and fertilizing as well as adjusting programs for irrigation and lighting where applicable.Typically, this is a monthly occurrence.
How do living walls work?
Living walls typically consist of a substrate structure that is planted with vegetation and then attached to a wall or other vertical surface. An automated irrigation design is integrated into the system. A hydroponic system has proven to be the superior design as it uses less water, is less weight and reduces the risk of pest infestations. Through thoughtful design and careful coordination with MEP teams, living wall plans can come to life!
Can a living wall be attached to any wall?
Yes! We can adhere our waterproof systems to studs, brick, drywalls, wood, stucco, and even no wall. We can even build our own free-standing solution for your space (such as a living wall divider).
Which plants are suitable for a living wall?
For an exterior living wall, we opt for perennials and hardy species that are native to the region and support biodiversity.
For an interior living wall, we select from a variety of tropical foliage with varying light and water requirements.
What is the weight of a living wall per square foot?
Lightweight! Most of our technologies range anywhere from 8-10 lbs/sq.ft, fully saturated.
How much do living walls cost?
The cost of installing a living wall can vary widely depending on factors such as scale, system specified, plant palette design, and the complexity of the installation. However, industry average is anywhere from $165-$265/sf.
How are living walls installed?
Every manufacturer has a different method, however good practice is to first install a barrier of some kind on the host wall to create an air gap. After that, necessary waterproofing methods will need to be applied before the system is installed. Most irrigation designs feature conduits that run within the wall system to avoid splashing or leaks.
Are living walls eligible for LEED or WELL credits?
When designed correctly, Living Walls are eligible for a range of credits: WELL points by improving the health and wellness of occupants and LEED credits for energy efficiency and stormwater management, but again only if designed correctly. Learn more here.
Green Roofs
What is a green roof?
A green roof is a vegetated extension of an existing roof. Designs vary between projects but all green roofs have the same basic components: waterproofing, a root barrier, a water retention and drainage layer, a filter fabric, a lightweight growing medium (e.g.: engineered soil), and plants.
How many buildings in New York City have green roofs?
According to the Green Roof Researchers Alliance, there are approximately 730 buildings with green roofs in New York City. Of the 40,000 acres of available rooftop space, this represents only 60 acres, or fewer than 0.1% of NYC’s 980,000 buildings.
What are the benefits of green roofs in New York City?
Green roofs are like a swiss-army knife solution, offering multiple benefits: improved stormwater management, enhanced biodiversity, air quality improvement, reduced urban heat island effect, improved thermal insulation, lower cooling costs, extended roof lifespan, noise reduction, aesthetic value, recreational space, and positive effects on mental well-being.
What is the maintenance required for green roofs?
The owner’s goals for the green roof will determine the level of maintenance required. A green roof designed as a highly manicured amenity space on a luxury hotel will require more attention than one installed out of sight atop an industrial building for the purpose of thermal insulation, membrane protection and/or compliance with local mandates. But just like any other garden, even the simplest green roofs require at least some degree of maintenance throughout the year. This includes watering, feeding and weeding. If applicable, this may also include maintaining and winterizing the irrigation system. Size, geographic location, accessibility, frequency of visits, maturity of the green roof, aesthetic goals, and nature of the tasks will all determine the costs. In the greater New York area, annual costs for green roof maintenance typically range from $0.85 to $1.30 per square foot per year.
How much do green roofs cost?
The cost of a green roof varies considerably depending on things like the overall system size and depth, plant selection, geographical location, ease of access and optional features like irrigation, decking and lighting. The overall type and intended usage of the green roof also affects its cost greatly.
Simple, shallow, 'extensive' green roofs with only the most basic elements are often installed when the roof will not be regularly seen nor accessed. Extensive green roofs are often installed to comply with local laws or to meet a design standard. Even these simple green roofs bring an array of operational benefits like roof membrane protection and reduced heating/cooling costs for the upper floors. A simple extensive green roof in NYC will typically cost between $15-$25 all-in. Again, these numbers can vary dramatically with just the size of the installation. These numbers do not yet consider any grants or financial incentives which can be quite generous.
Accessible 'intensive' green roofs designed as amenity spaces typically require a greater initial and ongoing maintenance investment to maintain their aesthetic. An intensive green roof in New York City will cost anywhere from $35 to $65 per square foot or greater. But they come with improved marketability, quality of life and property values, in addition to all the standard operational benefits offered by simple, extensive green roofs.
What are the government incentives for green roofs in NYC?
The New York City government currently offers two different financial incentive programs for Green Roofs:
The NYC Green Roof Tax Abatement program provides a one-time property tax abatement for properties that have green roofs. As the owner you will get $5.23 off your taxes for every square foot of green roof space. The most you can get is $200,000 or the total property taxes for the building that year, whichever is lower. If you have more abatement than taxes in any year, the remaining amount may be applied to your taxes within five years from when the abatement was initially taken. Properties in select priority districts will receive the Enhanced Green Roof Tax Abatement rate of $15 per square foot of green roof installed. Not sure which property tax abatement tier your building qualifies for? Use our handy Solar Map Tool to look up your building and see.
The NYC Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Infrastructure Grant is even more generous but also far more difficult to obtain. In theory, the grant will reimburse nearly all costs associated with designing and installing a green roof on a privately-owned building inside the five boroughs. The minimum project size is 5,000square-feet. The program’s goal is to incentivize private property owners to retrofit their roofs with green roofs to manage stormwater runoff. The deeper the green roof, the more stormwater that can be managed. For this reason, reimbursements are based on system depth - the deeper the green roof, the greater the rate. Potential grantees must be willing to sign a Legal Agreement and Restrictive Covenant to participate. The designs for green roof project applications will undergo multiple design review processes for a total process duration of 12-18 months. At no point in this process is successfully obtaining the grant guaranteed so it is not for the faint of heart or anyone in a hurry. Having said that, Urbanstrong’s green roof design partners have won this grant for a number of clients.
Do green roofs help buildings comply with NYC Local Law 97?
While the final language around NYC Local Law 97 has not yet been released, all signs point towards green roofs being an effective retrofit for compliance. Green roofs thermally insulate buildings to reduce energy required for heating and cooling. Further, by their very nature, plants absorb carbon dioxide as a critical component of photosynthesis. While other energy conservation measures (e.g.: LED lighting upgrades, duct-sealing, BMS, boiler upgrades, etc.) all indirectly reduce carbon emissions by reducing energy consumption, green roofs directly sequester carbon right at the installation site, so surely this will be factored into their compliance determinations.
Are green roofs suitable for all types of buildings and rooftops?
Any new construction project can create a roof suitable for a green roof. It should have ample structural support to accommodate the green roof when it is holding its maximum designed amount of stormwater, and the roof should also have plenty of roof drains, and a water and power source for irrigation and other controls.
With enough money, any existing roof can be modified to meet any of the above criteria. No matter what, you need a state-licensed structural engineer to sign off on a green roof design. No exceptions.Depending on the building type (e.g.: single family, 1-3 family, or multi-family building) and how the roof will be used (accessible or inaccessible green roof), the roof may have to comply with different exit and egress requirements. Railings or parapets must be 42” tall from the finished roof. If the building has an elevator, or is subject to elevator requirements, at least one elevator must access the roof. If there is no elevator to the roof, one of the elevators must be extended. Or there are options to build a small lift from the top floor through the ceiling up to the roof. This requirement is for ADA Accessibility, the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Smaller buildings with fewer units, and green roofs designed to be inaccessible and not declared as accessible areas on the Certificate of Occupancy have much more relaxed rules.
Solar
Is it possible to install solar panels on a building in New York City?
Yes, it is possible to install solar panels on buildings in New York City, and in fact, many buildings in the city have already done so. According to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), over 43,000 private residential properties in New York City have installed solar on their rooftops.
How much do solar panels cost in New York City?
The cost of solar panels in New York City has decreased significantly in recent years, and there are also financing options and tax incentives available to help make solar more affordable. Urbanstrong even has a 'No Investment' option where buildings can go solar without investing anything, ever.
Will installing a rooftop solar system help me avoid NYC Local Law 97 fines?
Yes, most definitely. With each of our solar proposals, Urbanstrong calculates the expected amount of electricity to be generated and the corresponding dollar amount of LL97 fines this renewable energy will offset for your building.
What are the financial incentives for installing solar panels in New York City?
For installing solar panels on NYC buildings, there are a range of financial incentives available at the city, state and federal level. These include property tax abatements, state grants, federal tax credits and accelerated depreciation. And for those owners who don't pay federal income tax, like coop and condo boards, the federal tax credits can be easily transferred or sold to make sure they don't miss out on these savings. For nonprofits, there is an option for Direct Pay under the Investment Tax Credit (ITC). 501(c)(3) nonprofits can receive tax credits (they appear as a tax refund) directly as cash payments.
What are the weight requirements for solar on a rooftop?
At roughly 5-6 pounds per square-foot, solar arrays are very lightweight and can usually be installed on most existing buildings without any need for structural reinforcements. In New York, a professionally licensed structural engineer must first survey the roof to confirm there is existing capacity. This service is included in your quote and is taken care of by the Urbanstrong solar team.
Is it worth it to go solar and install rooftop panels in NYC?
Absolutely. The Urbanstrong team has dozens of clients all across the city who have invested in rooftop solar and now enjoy a steady stream of passive income. It's like this: solar photovoltaic (PV) panels catch sunlight falling from the sky and turn it into money. With solar panels, it's like money is falling from the sky and solar panels are the buckets. Urbanstrong sells buckets. Stop thinking of your roof as a lid that's just used to keep you dry. Start thinking of it as a bucket. Urbanstrong can put your roof to work for you. Contact us now.
How much energy can I generate with solar panels in New York City?
The amount of energy that can be generated by solar panels in New York City varies depending on the size of the system, the orientation and tilt of the panels, and other factors. However, many buildings in the city are able to generate a significant portion of their energy needs with solar panels. Or, an even more lucrative option is to export/sell to Con Edison 100% of the electricity your system produces. In many parts of the city Con Edison pays a much higher rate to buy locally produced electricity than what they charge buildings to buy it. Effectively, buildings can "Sell High, Buy Low" for a steady stream of passive income.
What is the average payback period for solar panel installation in New York City?
The payback period for solar panel installation in New York City can vary depending on factors such as the size of the system, the cost of electricity, and the financial incentives available. However, many solar panel systems in the city have a payback period of around 6-8 years for brownstones and 3-5 years for coops and condos, after which the energy savings can be significant.
What permits are required for solar panel installation in New York City?
In order to install solar panels in New York City, Urbanstrong's solar team will need to obtain permits from the Department of Buildings and the utility company, but the process is generally straightforward and we take care of everything for you.
Can I sell excess solar energy back to the grid in New York City?
Yes, under the Net Metering program, building owners with rooftop solar arrays can transfer electricity they do not use back into the grid in exchange for credits on their utility bills. There are however many drawbacks and limitations to this program. In many parts of the city, the Community Solar program is far more lucrative for building owners looking to maximize the profitability of a rooftop solar array. To learn more, see our blog post ‘When Is Community Solar Much Better Than Net Metering?’.
How do I find a reputable solar panel installer in New York City? Who is the best solar company in New York?
There are many reputable solar panel installers in New York City, and it is important to choose one with experience and a good track record. You can also ask for references and check online reviews to ensure that you are choosing a reliable installer. Urbanstrong has a long list of satisfied solar clients and references we'd be happy to share with you.
What is the environmental impact of solar panel installation in New York City?
Solar panel installation has a positive environmental impact in New York City, as it helps to reduce the city's reliance on fossil fuels and lower carbon emissions.
What is the maintenance required for solar panels in New York City?
Solar panels require relatively little maintenance, with periodic cleaning and inspections being the main tasks. For peace of mind though, Urbanstrong's solar panel systems also come with 25-year warranties and remote monitoring systems to ensure that they continue to function properly.