1.855.753.3832 Continuous monitoring and leak detection for GREEN ROOFS provides “peace of mind” TM www.detecsystems.com 1.855.753.3832 Continuous monitoring and leak detection for GREEN ROOFS provides “peace of mind” TM www.detecsystems.com 1.855.753.3832 Continuous monitoring and leak detection for GREEN ROOFS provides “peace of mind” TM www.detecsystems.com 32 l ROOFINGBC l SUMMER 2018 FEATURE A n engineered green roof approach has many benefits over the traditional planter style approach to intensive roof top landscaping. Here’s why: “Keep it Clean” - A clean suspended slab with no vertical surfaces makes for easier waterproofing and a higher perfor- mance building envelope. The current mindset and methodology for rooftop land- scaping is to employ a planter approach, which most often involves either starter curbs or full planter retaining walls physi- cally tied into the suspended slab. This creates two critical prob- lems: 1) Disruptions in the otherwise smooth and clean surface of the suspended slab requires more complex waterproofing. Any vertical surfaces, regardless of how small, in the applica- tion of the roofing membrane usually results in potential leak risks and also a more difficult membrane installation. 2) Bath tubbing – creating independent planters for landscaping also creates an independently waterproofed space which requires its own independent drain leading to unnecessary extra costs. Every additional drain can be upwards of a thousand dollars in cost. The illustrations below show the differences between the status quo planter approach tied directly into the pre-water- proofed suspended slab and that of an engineered, layered system (Zinco Floradrain FD 60). The engineered green roof approach to intensive roof top landscaping allows for all of the landscaping – both hardscaping and soft-scaping – to happen above the robust drain board assembly so the entire landscape system is floating, including the retaining walls for planters. This results in an uninterrupted drain plain underneath and allows for a much higher performance building envelope. “Variety is the Spice of Life” – The ability to use a wider palette of pavers leads to more creative roof- top landscapes. From rooftop parks, to urban agriculture, and native plant gardens, the scope for intensive green roofs has an impressive variety where almost anything is possible. From trees down to the herbaceous layer, the assortment of plants that can be placed on an intensive green roof is vast. On an engineered intensive green roof landscaping can be done like a grade level surface allowing the designer to incorporate public access with many layers and points of interest by using plants with different sizes and features. Hardscaping options on rooftops are yet another story. More often than not, large pavers are used which are installed on pads or pedestals because there are the only viable options. With engineered green roof systems utilizing drain board assemblies, installed from parapet to parapet, the entire surface on top can be treated just like grade level landscaping. Therefore pedes- tals are not required but rather bedding material is put down in hardscape areas allowing for use of any hardscape material. Cobblestone, interlocking pavers, small stone or pavers of any combination can be installed – all of which results in a much more interesting overall landscape design. Why an engineered approach to rooftop gardens makes sense INTENSIVE GREEN ROOFS