Intensive Roof Garden Depth

Planting media for intensive green roofs are a foot deep at minimum and have saturated weights ranging from 80 to 120 pounds per square foot depending on type and depth of planting medium and the type of plants.

Intensive roof garden depth.

Deeper rooftop gardens with a total depth of more than 18 inches have a modified system build up because just as in natural soil profiles the deeper root zone has other properties as the top soil layer above. Plant selection and design greatly affects the maintenance required for the upkeep of these roofs. A typical growing medium depth of an intensive green roof is 6 inches or more. Possibilities of hardscape options site amenities and water features.

The planting medium in extensive green roofs ranges from 1 6 to 6 inches deep and while deeper systems have been installed they are not favored as much as the shallower systems drought tolerant sedums succulent plants and grasses are the typical plants used since they are shallow rooted and use little water plant diversity on these roofs is kept low to simplify care and to be sure all plants have similar moisture requirements. The structural engineer must factor in the weight of completely saturated soil since the plantings and the soil will hold a significant amount of water. It is also important to factor in the type and lifetime of the roof membranethat will be used. This is especially true of intensive green roofs which can have soil that is two feet deep or more.

Depth of growing media between 150 mm and 900 mm. Intensive green roofs offer a great potential for design and biodiversity. This system supports everything from small personal home gardens to full scale public parks.