Green Roof Substrate Depth

We have investigated green roof meadows installed with 3 different substrate depths 50 75 100 125 mm and using two different substrates.

Green roof substrate depth.

This is referred to as the saturated bulk density. The depth varies depending on the type of roof you are constructing. These require irrigation and a substrate depth of at least 200 mm. Intensive roofs which are thicker with a minimum depth of 12 8 cm 5 1 16 in and can support a wider variety of plants but are heavier and require more maintenance and extensive roofs which are shallow ranging in depth from 2 cm 13 16 in to 12 7 cm 5 in lighter than intensive green roofs and require minimal maintenance.

Semi extensive 100 200 mm. Extensive green roof substrates are for use on shallow green roof systems 200mm depth and are often associated with sedum mat sedum plug plant or wildflower planting. Continued research the swedish green roof market is currently undergoing a change towards an increased. Intensive green roof substrates are engineered to suit larger vegetation such as shrubs and trees.

There are two types of green roof. Careful plant selection and maintenance is needed to ensure annuals do not become weeds on a green roof. Some green roofs are constructed specifically to support sports turf. The green roof design needs to accommodate adequate water retention suitable drainage structural loading and the depth of green roof growing substrate.

Vegetables are the other main group of annual plants used on green roofs. Have a known saturated weight loading that forms part of the structural load capacity of the roof.