Green Roof Structural Details

Green roof structural requirements.

Green roof structural details.

A green roof or living roof is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium planted over a waterproofing membrane. Additional structural support may need to be provided. The key to any good green roof project is a good waterproofing membrane. Because water runs off the roof more quickly a thicker substrate layer is needed.

The structural requirements for a green roof are the most important aspect to consider. You need to make sure that the structure can cope with the extra weight of your green roof especially when saturated with water. The structure of a shallow pitched green roof differs slightly from the structure of a flat roof. We try to think of green roof details more as diagrams than perfect scale drawings.

The roofs are designed so that water drains vertically through the media and then horizontally along a waterproofing layer towards the outlet. 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. The substrate gives the right amount of nutrients to the plants so your green roof stays nice and green.

It may also include additional layers such as a root barrier and drainage and irrigation systems. There are many types of waterproofing membrane. Steeply pitched green roof 25 40. Green roofs typically contain a layered system of roofing which is designed to support plant growth and retain water for plant uptake while preventing ponding on the roof surface.