Roof gardening has existed since the beginning of time when our architecture had more suitable rooftops. Plant enthusiasts always need space to cultivate their greens, and what better location to do so than on your rooftop?
Roof Garden Waterproofing Methods are Membrane Considerations and Construction. Waterproofing Layer and Protection Layer, Drainage system, Filtration Layer, and Vegetation Layer.
Membrane Considerations
The membrane system must’ve been resistant to mechanical damage caused by gardening equipment. Also, it must have been resistant to the penetration of plant roots and the ability to last throughout the life of the building without needing to be repaired or replaced.
The designer must consider membrane systems that have previously functioned in this arrangement in successful applications. Membrane solutions that are new to the roofing sector lack the track record that these applications require.
It may be beneficial to employ waterproofing materials that are below grade. These are often put in inverted plaza deck structures rather than roofing materials used in warm roof designs.
A widespread misunderstanding is that roofing and below-grade waterproofing materials are interchangeable. This misunderstanding stems from the success of a small number of materials in both building component sectors.
In actuality, the waterproofing capacity of these components is all that is required of them.
Waterproofing products that are below grade are not exposed to the elements. They are, however, subject to frequent water buildup, which, in the case of garden construction, might last for two to three months due to wet soil.
Ground and soil contaminants are constantly exposed to below-grade waterproofing systems.
Waterproofing systems that are properly installed can and will last if the structure itself has durability.
This seems to be a significant feature since, unlike roofing materials, waterproofing materials are inaccessible, and the costs of repairs and replacement are high, owing to the need for excavation.
Membrane Construction
This type of construction’s most crucial element is the waterproofing membrane. The ability to keep moisture out of the facility must be the most important feature of the membrane material.
System designers should prioritize this factor above plant kind and layout when creating a new system.
The garden on the roof is there purely for aesthetic reasons, and the membrane is there to serve as a permanent waterproofing surface that also happens to fit the exacting standards of the garden design.
The membrane must be made from the finest materials available.
There are materials and systems available on the market that have these qualities and have performed in these configurations for more than 30 years.
As with other roofing and waterproofing applications, be especially wary of manufacturers who provide system warranties that are longer than they have been on the market in the United States.
Visiting similar projects and speaking with other roof gardeners about the waterproofing performance of the materials is the most effective technique to assess material performance.
Waterproofing Layer
To prevent leaks, the first and most crucial step is to waterproof your roof. The roof where your greens will be planted should be watertight.
It must also be frost-resistant and long-lasting, particularly in the areas where you will grow your greens and place the pots.
Waterproofing a rooftop can be accomplished in various ways, including the installation of plastic sheets, polymer coating, and so on. Your rooftop waterproofing membrane should be root and rot-resistant. You might even seek the advice of a specialist in this field.
Protection Layer
The protection/insulation layer provides a variety of benefits to your roof garden, including mechanical strength, moisture resistance, and temperature regulation. Polyurethane foam, PIR panels, or XPS extruded polystyrene boards are commonly used as insulation layers.
PIR panels are recommended for rooftop gardens because they include milling edge connectors and grooves that allow rainfall to travel quickly through drainage systems.
Installing a protection layer on your rooftop will ensure that your roof garden lasts a long time and will alleviate all your concerns.
Drainage System
Materials that are made up of rot-proof are what consist of a drainage medium. It is put above the waterproofing system and allows water to flow through to the substrate drains.
This is an essential component that must work with the filter cloth and the planting media. Roof drainage systems that work well prevent water from clogging substrate drains and aid in the removal of excess water from the system.
Several modern drainage solutions are available on the market. Some are of high quality, while others are ineffective.
A drainage bed of 1 to 2 inches of broken drain rock or pea pebble was used in an early rooftop garden building. In most cases, no filter cloth was used to cover this bed.
In the 1960s, filter cloth was laid over these types of drainage beds to allow moisture to flow through without causing soil loss, clogging drains, or washing away the stone.
The success rate of this process may be traced back to rooftop garden systems that were put up to 70 years ago and are still functioning now. This approach has the disadvantage of being labor-consuming and adding weight to the structural deck.
In recent years, new drainage systems have been brought to the market, with more items being introduced as the market for these systems grows.
Before designing these products, as with all new products, the designer must run a background search on them.
The goal of putting in a drainage system is to get rid of the saturated water as soon as feasible.
Excess water from the vegetation layer and rooftop should be rapidly discharged into the drainage system via a good drainage system.
Porous matting that may soak up excess water, granular materials such as gravels, stone chips, and others, lightweight plastic sheets, or polystyrene drainage are all common drainage materials.
Filtration Layer
The filter layer is put to prevent clogging of the drainage system and to keep the drainage layer distinct from the plants.
It keeps the drainage system running by preventing the buildup of small particles. In most cases, nonwoven or geotextile layers are ideal.
The filter cloth is used to prevent the loss of soil, mulch, or plant debris while still allowing moisture to pass to the drains and keeping them clear. The planting media is also held in place by the filter cloth.
A long-lasting filter cloth helps protect the roof membrane by acting as a root barrier. There are a variety of soil compositions that are appropriate for rooftop gardens. These design needs should be discussed with a landscape architect or consultant.
Vegetation Layer
The vegetation layer is the area where you’ll cultivate your plants. The growing media (soil) for your rooftop garden will be prepared according to the plants you want to cultivate.
For rooftop gardening, well-fertilized soil is ideal. The thickness of the soil will be determined by the plants chosen.
Final Thoughts
A roof garden can be started in a variety of ways. Planting in simple pots, large and tiny, building raised beds, or covering your rooftop with genuine soil beds, as in traditional gardens, are all options.
If you want to develop a completely planted green roof, you will have to equip your rooftop to avoid potential any unnecessary structural damage.
Unlike traditional buildings, new buildings are frequently built with waterproofing in mind.
In this article, we’ll go over the methods you’ll need to build on your roof before you can plant a fully covered garden.
The application of waterproofing in roof garden construction is often like that of plaza deck waterproofing.
In this case, the waterproofing membrane is put to the system’s bottom in a shielded or inverted position.
We believe that an inverted membrane application is most suited for this type of system architecture.
Jenny Marie
Tribal Writer
Edited By
Patricia Godwin
