Green Roof Structural Details

A green roof is a green space that is created by adding various layers of plants and a growing medium to the top portion of a traditional roofing system.

Green roof structural details.

There are many types of waterproofing membrane. We try to think of green roof details more as diagrams than perfect scale drawings. Steeply pitched green roof 25 40. It may also include additional layers such as a root barrier and drainage and irrigation systems.

The structure of a shallow pitched green roof differs slightly from the structure of a flat roof. Because water runs off the roof more quickly a thicker substrate layer is needed. Green roof structural requirements. The substrate gives the right amount of nutrients to the plants so your green roof stays nice and green.

The structural requirements for a green roof are the most important aspect to consider. Green roof and waterproofing details utilize many thin layers which might not be legible if drawn to scale. Additional structural support may need to be provided. The key to any good green roof project is a good waterproofing membrane.

And to ensure the appropriate green roof assembly relative to the membrane chosen is provided it is important to understand how they work and how they are installed. Architectural details photo by tommy hileman. Note that it is not like a traditional roof garden in which planting is done in free standing containers as well as planters that are placed on an easy to access roof terrace. You need to make sure that the structure can cope with the extra weight of your green roof especially when saturated with water.