by Brianna Crandall — October 3, 2014—Green Roof Solutions’ Wind Erosion Anchors keep plant material and green roof media in place by holding down erosion blankets, vegetated mats, vegetated tiles, and trays. The anchors are made of 100% recycled polypropylene that has been UV stabilized for durability even under harsh rooftop temperature and light conditions. Lightweight discs attach to the anchor’s shaft, which is held in place by the weight of the green roof system.
Developed and designed by Green Roof Solutions’ Managing Director Kurt Horvath after working with cumbersome and time-consuming alternatives, this patented system is said to be the only wind erosion control system designed specifically for green roofs, to keep the media on the roof as the plants root in.
The new 100% recycled plastic Wind Erosion Anchors feature three key design changes: the new discs are made of recycled polypropylene and feature a more open design, and the shaft of the anchor is ribbed to resist disengagement. According to Horvath, “This allows the plants to grow through the openings as they mature. [Plant coverage] adds to the life of the product as the plants protect it from exposure to UV, and makes the anchors less noticeable in the installation.”
Green Roof Solutions says that installation is quicker and easier with the new Wind Erosion Anchors, whose discs and anchors are delivered connected. Further, the snap mechanism created by the ribbed anchor shaft and flexible disc reportedly maintains its strength and tolerance, which limits the possibility of disengagement regardless of the applicator.
These anchors are 25 percent lighter than their predecessors, which results in the reduction of shipping costs—on average, costs are reduced by about 20 percent when comparing rates for a full pallet of materials to locations across the United States. The company notes that using lighter materials also means that fewer emissions are created when shipping.
