Green roofs (flat)
Knowledge of green roof construction methods and the benefits of incorporating them in building design is steadily becoming more widespread in the UK.
Unlike pitched green roofs, flat green roofs can either take the form of extensive (consisting of a thin layer of turf or sedum matting), or intensive (characterised by a greater soil depth that can even accommodate shrubs and trees). This more frequently takes the form of roof-top gardens, providing valuable secluded green space in urban settings.
Flat green roof build up
A typical build-up for an extensive or semi-intensive green roof
The build-up of a flat green roof will vary depending upon the intended use. Please contact our technical department on 01403 210204 or submit an enquiry for more information.
A standard roofing membrane and insulation layer is laid onto the underlying roof structure, then a studded, perforated drainage membrane such as Oldroyd Xv 20 GreenXtra is used in addition to provide a drainage layer with reservoir capability. A filtrating drainage layer (Oldroyd Tp Filter Fleece) is laid down before adding the required soil loading and plantings, as shown in the diagram above.
In situations where the roofing membrane does not offer adequate root resistance a Safeguard Root Barrier layer may need to be included between the roofing membrane and the Oldroyd Xv 20 GreenXtra drainage layer.
Other examples of typical green roofbuild-ups can be found in our library of CAD drawings.
For roof-top gardens, concrete decking is often used to provide a suitable load-bearing construction, whereas substantial reinforcement is not usually required for a lightweight flat turf roof.
Biodiverse Roofs
Biodiverse roofs are flat green roofs which have been specifically designed with particular biodiversity objectives in mind – see our biodiverse roofs page for details.
Fixing Guide
A guide to installing flat green roofs can be downloaded free of charge in PDF format by clicking on the image to the right.
The guide shows how Oldroyd Xv 20 GreenXtra can be used in conjunction with a primary waterproofing system to create a flat green roof.
Technical Support
If you would like more information on designing or specifying green roofs, please call our technical department on 01403 210204 or submit an enquiry.